To honor the contributions, culture and heritage of African Americans in the United States, Cal State San Bernardino will hold events virtually and in-person throughout the month of February in celebration of Black History Month.

To start off the series of events, the CSUSB Black History Planning Committee will host on Zoom the Black History Month Kickoff on Thursday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. All students, staff, faculty and administration are welcome to attend. The campus community will be able to learn more about student groups and campus organizations’ resources. The kickoff will feature live music, games and much more. Register for the event at the Black History Month Kickoff registration webpage.

Other events celebrating Black History Month at CSUSB include:

  • Feb. 8, noon-1 p.m. Zoom. The Black History Month keynote address will feature Ilyasah Shabazz, an award-winning author, educator and producer. Shabazz, the daughter of Malcom X, is also co-chairperson of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. In her work to preserve her parents’ legacy, Ilyasah Shabazz has dedicated herself to institution building and intergenerational leadership development with the tenants of diversity, equity and inclusion. The address is hosted by the Black History Month Planning Committee, the President’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Board and the Santos Manuel Student Union. Register at the Black History Month Keynote Address webpage.
  • Feb. 10, noon-1:30 p.m. Zoom. “Discovering Your Roots: A Beginner’s Workshop on African American Genealogy Research.” UCLA alumna Charlotte Bocage of the Southern California Genealogical Society will discuss how to conduct African American genealogical research, sharing tips, tools and strategies to find out about lost ancestors and learn about their lives. The talk is hosted by the Pfau Library. Join the workshop at the African American Genealogy Research talk Zoom webpage.
  • Feb. 15, noon-1:30 p.m. Zoom. Discussion of “Rainbow Jukebox: A Concise Companion for LGBTQ+ Music Studies.” As part of the BHM Spotlight Series, Nicholas Bratcher, a CSUSB assistant professor of music and director of bands, and the Pan African Student Success Center will discuss his book. The text is meant to empower students and faculty (and those outside the realm of academia) to hear the collective album of a community of people who are still fighting for freedom and acceptance. The first 10 students who register will receive a complimentary copy of the book, available for pick-up in the Pan African Center. Register for the Black History Month Spotlight Series/Nicholas Bratcher registration webpage.
  • Feb. 22, noon-1:30 p.m., Zoom. “Black History Month Themed Panel-Intersectionality and Mental Health.” The CSUSB Counseling and Psychological Services and the Black History Month Planning Committee will hold an open conversation on how the intersections of cultural identity impacts the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of Black folks in America. Dr. Sayida Peprah and Pastor Samuel J. Casey will lead this important discussion. Register at the Intersectionality and Mental Health event webpage.
  • Feb. 24, 6-8 p.m. Zoom. Essential Conversations with African American Men. Now in its fourth year, this year’s talk, “I’m Graduating! What’s Next?” will provide information for CSUSB African American male students who are graduating and planning to enter the workforce. This event is essential as racial discrimination in the labor market continues to exist and impacts African American men more than other groups. During recessions, African Americans tend to be the first fired. During recoveries, they are the last to be hired. The talk is hosted by the BHM Planning Committee and the CSUSB Psychological Services and presented by the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration Office of Academic Equity. Register and learn more about the talk at its Eventbrite webpage.
  • Feb. 26, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Zoom. “Hands Unto Ethiopia: The First African Americans to Visit Nubia.” Jeremy Pope, an associate professor of history at William & Mary University, will lecture on the history of the first African American visitors to Nubia. Since at least the middle of the 18th century, people of African descent in the Americas invoked ancient Nubia – the “Ethiopia” and “Cush” of the Bible – as exemplar of African history and signifier of a global racial identity. Yet no published study has ever analyzed – nor even documented – the experiences of the first African Americans who actually traveled to Nubia. Pope’s lecture will reconstruct the history of the first African American visitors to Nubia. To receive the YouTube Premiere (1:30-2:30 p.m. PST), and the live Zoom Question & Answer session (2:30-3:30 p.m. PST), register at the Hands Unto Ethiopia webpage.

To learn more about the BHM events at CSUSB, visit the university’s Black History Month website.