Olympic track and field athlete John Carlos, whose demonstration at the 1968 Mexico Olympics has become one of the world's most instantly recognizable images, will speak Feb. 20 as part of UD's Black History Month celebration. Photo by Nathaniel Anderson

UD's P. Gabrielle Foreman, founder of the Colored Conventions Project, addresses participants at the 2017 Frederick Douglass Day celebration. This year's event will be held Feb. 14. Photo by Evan Krape

Students paint signs for a classroom during the 2017 MLK Day of Service, which drew over 100 students, alumni and staff. This year's event will be held Feb. 24. Photo by Evan Krape

UD celebrates Black History Month

Article by Cindy Hall February 08, 2018

2018 marks 50th anniversary of landmark year 1968

The University of Delaware is observing Black History Month with a diverse array of events and activities through March that celebrate the achievements of African Americans and honor their role in U.S. history.

This year is particularly significant—2018 marks the 50th anniversary of 1968, a watershed year for the civil rights movement. From the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, to defiant protests calling for social change, to establishment of the Fair Housing Act, 1968 is often considered to be one of the most consequential years in America’s history. Over the coming months, UDaily will be publishing stories to remember 1968.

Select upcoming Black History Month programs are detailed below, with additional events and details on the Center for Black Culture’s calendar and the UD events calendar. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Feb. 14, from noon-3 p.m., in the University of Delaware Morris Library, Room 114: Celebration of Frederick Douglass Day, the 200th anniversary of his chosen birthday. This year, UD is one of the central hubs for an international transcribe-a-thon presented by UD’s Colored Conventions Project, the Smithsonian Transcription Center and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Learn more and register online.
Feb. 17, at 7:15 p.m., Main Street Movies 5: Viewing and discussion of Black Panther. Black Panther is the first marvel movie to feature a black superhero--one who grapples with inner power and outward persecution. Students are invited to a pre-event social at the Center for Black Culture.
Feb. 20, at 5 p.m., in Trabant Theater: Lecture, “Fifty years later ‘We’ Still Raising our Fists,” featuring John Carlos, renowned former track and field athlete who was inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame. Carlos made world history during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when he made a speechless statement urging social justice during the medal ceremony.

Kimberlé Crenshaw will speak Feb. 22.

Feb. 22, at 7 p.m., in Trabant Multipurpose Room: Center for Black Culture’s Black History Month Extravaganza. This includes a dance performance by Women of Consequence and the lecture “Intersectionality: Race and Gender in Work, Life and Politics,” by Kimberlé Crenshaw, professor of Law at UCLA and Columbia Law School. Raffle prizes will be available for UD students. Register online.
Feb. 24, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at various regional sites: MLK Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students can learn more and sign up online.
Feb. 26, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., in Memorial Hall, Room 127: The 2018 Paul R. Jones Annual Lecture, “Notes on a Virginia Statehouse: Architecture and Race in Jefferson’s America,” featuring Mabel O. Wilson, professor of architecture, co-director of Global Africa Lab and associate director at the Institute for Research in African American Studies at Columbia University.
Feb. 27, at 4:30 p.m. in the Class of 1941 Room, Morris Library: Third annual African American Read-In, with readers sharing original work and works by favorite African-American authors. For information on participating, click here.

The Walls Group will perform at the Gospelrama on Feb. 28.

Feb. 28, from noon-2 p.m., in Perkins Concourse: An exhibition themed around the pivotal moments of 1968 will be on display during the month. The UD community is invited to view the display and enjoy the University Student Center’s Black History Month reception.
Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., in Mitchell Hall: Gospelrama featuring multi-Grammy-nominated and Stellar Award winners, The Walls Group. The UD Gospel Choir will also perform. For ticket information, call 302-831-4012. The event is free for UD students.
March 7, at 7 p.m., in the Trabant University Center Multipurpose Room: Black Student Union (BSU) meeting. The Black Student Union celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The first meeting of the semester will engage students in a conversation about the BSU’s rich legacy of social activism on campus and the importance of community.
March 10, at 3 p.m., at The Baby Grand, Wilmington, Delaware: UD and the Delaware Historical Society present Women of Consequence, performing a celebration of Harriet Tubman Day. Through dance, poetry, music and drama, Women of Consequence explores the lives of African American women from the 1800s through today. Visit the box office for ticket information.

Women of Consequence also will perform at 7 p.m., March 15, in the Gore Recital Hall of the Roselle Center for the Arts on the Newark campus.