Black History Month, a celebration of the achievements of African Americans and the critical role black people have played in history, begins on Friday, Feb. 1. The annual event is an extension of Negro History Week, created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926.

The University of Delaware hosts events during February (and March) to mark the occasion. The collaborative effort includes community service projects, read-a-thons, the annual Center for Black Culture Extravaganza and many more events.

Each year, the Center for Black Culture chooses a theme to promote a focus and deeper reflection during the month-long observance. For 2019, the theme is “Game Changers: People, movements, migrations, music, traditions, and practices that have impacted African American achievement.”

“Our goal is to always show the complexity, resilience, creativity, brilliance and aesthetic of black people while never downplaying areas of challenge,” said Kasandra Moye, director of the Center for Black Culture.

Both the campus and the wider community are encouraged to celebrate Black History Month with UD. Here is a list of events:

Thursday, Feb. 14 - Douglass Day

Join the nation-wide celebration of Frederick Douglass Day at the Morris Library from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Douglass, an escaped slave who became a prominent activist, chose to celebrate his birthday on Feb. 14 since he did not know what date he was really born. This event will honor his 201st birthday with a read-a-thon. Participants can register for the event on the Colored Conventions website.

Wednesday, Feb. 20 - A Tribute to the African American Journey

The University Student Centers will host a black history exhibit featuring more than 150 artifacts and historical documents. The exhibit will be available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center.

Thursday, Feb. 21 - Black History Month Extravaganza featuring Angela Davis

Civil rights icon Angela Davis has been deeply involved for decades in movements for liberation and social justice around the world. Davis, a scholar, author and activist, has worked to fight for equality for all, including in education, women’s rights and prison reform. She is currently a professor emerita at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Davis will speak at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the Trabant University Center. UD Community members can register for the event through the Center for Black Culture, starting Feb. 5.

The annual Black History Month Extravaganza is organized within the Division of Student Life by the Center for Black Culture and co-sponsored by the Black Student Union; Division of Student Life; Residence Life and Housing; Vice Provost for Diversity; Library, Museums and Press; Departments of English, Political Science and International Relations and Africana Studies; Cultural Programming Advisory Board; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; SpeQtrum; Black Graduate Student Association and African Heritage Caucus.

Saturday, Feb. 23 - MLK Day of Service

UD’s Residence Life and Housing, in collaboration with the Blue Hen Leadership Program (BHLP), will host the eighth annual MLK Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This day offers students a chance to connect with local service agencies to complete community service projects. Students will meet at 10 a.m. in the West Lounge of the Perkins Student Center. Buses will transport volunteers to their service locations at noon. Participates must register through the Residence Life and Housing website. (Fewer students are on campus in mid-January when the nation honors King and many people participate in service activities, so UD holds a second version in February.)

Monday, Feb. 25 - African American Read-In

UD’s English Department and the Library, Museums and Press invites the UD and Newark community members to read works by their favorite African American authors or share their own writing at the fourth annual African American Read-In. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. in the Class of 1941 Lecture Room in the Morris Library.

Thursday, Feb. 28 - Gospelrama featuring Anthony Brown and Group therAPy

This year’s Gospelrama concert will feature the award-winning Anthony Brown and Group therAPy at 7 p.m. in Mitchell Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with performances by the Gospel Choir at UD and other invited guests. Tickets can be purchased at UD’s box offices beginning Feb 11. This event is presented by the Cultural Programming Advisory Board and the Gospel Choir at UD.

Friday, March 1 - Find Your Fierce Edge: How to Ignite Your Purpose and Claim Your Dreams

The Center for Black Culture will host this workshop at 4:30 p.m. to help students pinpoint their purpose. The session will help students explore what makes them unique and a valuable asset in the world. The program will begin with engagement activities and light refreshments at 4 p.m. A follow-up to this workshop entitled Believe in Your Vision will be announced.

Sunday, March 3 - Sit In and Study

In 1957, under the protection of federal troops, nine students enrolled in the previously white-only Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In honor of the Little Rock Nine, the Sit in and Study program seeks to create a supportive environment through a culture of study and community to improve the academic performance of African American and Latinx students. Students can study quietly or in groups. The session will be held from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. in rooms 116 and 118 in Purnell Hall. The CBC will provide dinner for pre-registered students that study for at least two-and-a-half hours.

Wednesday, March 6 - Black Student Union Community Meeting

The BSU is celebrating more than 50 years at UD and will host a community meeting at 7 p.m. in multipurpose rooms A and B of the Trabant University Center. The meeting will focus on the experiences of African Americans at UD as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Scarpetti Report — a report to address the struggles of black students and suggestions for improvement.  

Tuesday, March 12 - Bold Radical Revolutionaries: A Conversation with Symone Sanders

UD’s Cultural Programming Advisory Board has invited CNN political commentator Symone Sanders to speak at 7 p.m. in Mitchell Hall. Sanders, who served as press secretary for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, will talk about the power of people’s differences in promoting revolutionary change.