As the second half of Black History Month begins, the University's celebration continues with events across Penn State's campuses, including these and more (please see further down in the story for event details):

University Park:

• All month — Black History Month Self-Guided Art Tour at the Palmer Museum of Art
• Feb. 14 — Douglass Day 2023 at the Center for Black Digital Research
• Feb. 16 — Film: “Six Triple Eight” hosted by the Center for Military Family Readiness
• Feb. 23 — “Diversity in STEAM from a Real-Life Guardian of the Galaxy” with Moogega Cooper, engineer of NASA's Mars rover “Perseverance” mission
• Feb. 23 — Civil rights titan Margaret Burnham will deliver the Richard B. Lippin Lecture in Ethics

Commonwealth Campuses:

• Penn State Altoona presents the 23rd annual African American Read-In: “Banned Black American Books” with a keynote by Tiffany M. Nyachae and more, Feb. 19-20.
• Penn State Behrend will host the Rhythms of Life Series on Feb. 15; a showing of the film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” on Feb. 24; and an ABC and OACS Fashion Show on Feb. 25.
• Penn State Berks will host the Annual Black Excellence Dinner on Feb. 16; and "Being Black at Berks" on Feb. 24.
• Penn State Brandywine will host a talk on the MOVE fire in Philadelphia in 1985, on Feb. 14; spoken-word artist Odd?Rob on Feb. 15; and a Soul Food Cuisine event on Feb. 20.
• Penn State Dickinson Law will hold its Black History Month Symposium on Feb. 18.
• Penn State DuBois will host IDREAM Committee Black History Month Recognition Week events from Feb. 20 to 23; "Black Authors Matter" on Feb. 27; and a Black History Month Game Show on Feb. 28.
• Penn State Fayette's Black History Month Movie Series continues with “Harriet” on Feb. 20, and “Just Mercy” on Feb. 27.
• Penn State Harrisburg events include a "Black History: Divine Nine Greek Panel" on Feb. 13; the Campbell Brothers present Sacred Steel & Gospel on Feb. 16; multimedia show on Feb. 21; and dance performance on Feb. 28.
• Penn State Hazleton's "MLK — A History in Pictures" runs through the end of February, and "The Black Journey: African American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia" takes place Feb. 25.
• Penn State Mont Alto's Black History Month Speaker Series continues with Marvin Worthy on Feb. 13; Lance Walker on Feb. 20; and Tracie Potts on Feb. 27; a Campus Symposium on Feb. 20; and "Soul Steps: Step Dance Show" on Feb. 27.
• Penn State Shenango will host Food for the Soul on Feb. 15; and alumna Cidalia Cornelio on Feb. 22.
• Penn State Wilkes-Barre's Black History Month Trivia Game will be held on Feb. 21.

Full event details are below:

Penn State University Park

Black History Month Self-Guided Art Tour — all month at the Palmer Museum. The Palmer Museum of Art will offer a printed, self-guided tour for Black History Month that features works on display by Black artists. Pick up this printed guide in the museum’s lobby and discover a rich array of artwork by Black Americans from the late 1800s to today.  

2023 African American Music Festival — Feb. 1–4, various. The 2023 African American Music Festival will take place Feb. 1-4 on the Penn State University Park campus, featuring students and faculty of the School of Music, special guests John W. Jones and the Unified Jazz Ensemble, Maria Thompson Corley (piano), and Lara Downes (piano). The festival is hosted by Anthony Leach and Essence of Joy. Learn more in this story.

Dance Celebration Fitness Class — Wednesday, Feb. 1, 4 p.m., Intramural (IM) Building. Kick off celebrating Black History Month with a mix of Zumba, Hip-Hop Line Dance, Power Remix, and more! Hosted by Campus Recreation, Health Promotion and Wellness, and Penn State Black Caucus. Save your spot online at pennstatecampusrec.org.  

Kwame Alexander — Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7-8:30 p.m., Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center. The Penn State Black Caucus will host a talk by writer and poet Kwame Alexander. Alexander, a Newbery Medal winner and a prominent figure in the children’s fiction genre, will be discussing his life, career and impact on the Black community through writing. This event is free for all attendees.

Writing Workshop with Ebony Stewart — Tuesday, Feb. 7, 3-4 p.m., HUB 134. Join the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity along with the Gender Equity Center and Paul Robeson Cultural Center for an event featuring one of the top touring poets in the country, Ebony Stewart. Her work speaks to the Black experience, with emphasis on gender, sexuality, womanhood, queer-positivity and race, with the hopes to be relatable, remove shame, heal minds, encourage dialogue and inspire folks in marginalized communities. She will be providing a writing workshop for interested students who want to get firsthand advice from an accomplished poet. Register for the workshop here. Please note: Stewart will also present a lecture and performance later in the day (see below).

Spoken Activism with Ebony Stewart — Tuesday, Feb. 7, 5:30-7 p.m., HUB 008 Lounge. One of the top touring poets in the country, Ebony Stewart, will be presenting an interactive lecture and performance regarding her experience entering and through poetry. No registration required. Doors open at 5 p.m. Sponsored by the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, Gender Equity Center and Paul Robeson Cultural Center. Please note: Stewart is also offering a writing workshop earlier in the day (see above).

Black History Month Seminar with DuPont's Christine Hatter — Feb. 7, 2:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m., via Zoom. Hosted by Penn State National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE). Attend here.

"The Frederick Douglass Project" — Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m., virtual. Emmy Award-winning actor Keith David will deliver a dramatic reading of a speech by the legendary 19th-century American abolitionist. The virtual event is co-presented by the Center for the Performing Arts and Theater of War Productions. After the reading, a community panel will prompt community feedback and moderated audience discussion. The program is free with required registration.

Livestream Event: An Evening with Author Robert Samuels — Thursday, Feb 9, 6:30 p.m., online. Robert Samuels, co-author of “His Name is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice,” will explore the roots of racism, both past and present, and emphasize how one person can make a difference to create change.

Dorothy L. Lesh Endowed Lecture Series: Hosea Nelson — Feb. 10, 2:30–3:30 p.m., 301A Chemistry Building. Sponsored by the Department of Chemistry and Penn State NOBCChE (National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers).

Dark Storm Step Team Performance — Saturday, Feb. 11. 5:30-6:30 p.m., HUB 008 Lounge. The Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity will be hosting the Dark Storm Step Team. Dark Storm is a student organization that will unite all students from different cultural backgrounds and allow them to express their different cultural differences through step.

Douglass Day 2023 — Monday, Feb. 14, noon-3 p.m.The Center for Black Digital Research invites the campus community to our annual birthday party for Frederick Douglass. Help us transcribe the newly digitized papers of Mary Ann Shadd Cary on the 200thanniversary of her birth year. Shadd Cary was a groundbreaking Black feminist activist, journalist, publisher, teacher, and lawyer. The seventh annual Douglass Day transcribe-a-thon will include thousands of people at more than one hundred locations around the world. For more information and to register in advance to participate in the events at Penn State, visit https://douglassday.org/pennstate. All classes and community members are welcome. 

Display: Guion Bluford — Feb. 15-28, Engineering Library, 325 Hammond Building. Stop by the library to see an infographic honoring Penn State graduate, aerospace engineer and distinguished NASA astronaut Guion Bluford.  

Film: “Six Triple Eight” — 6 p.m., Feb. 16, Freeman Auditorium, HUB-Robeson Center. As part of Black History Month, the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness is sponsoring a showing of the documentary “Six Triple Eight,” which chronicles the story of the 6888th Postal Battalion, an 855-member, all-Black, all-female unit that served in England and France during World War II with the mission of clearing a two-year backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail. During the war, mail was crucial to maintaining troop morale, and the Six Triple Eight’s contribution was exemplary; the film chronicles the women and their experiences. Following the film, there will be a panel discussion with Carmen Jordan-Cox, daughter of a unit member, and Dennis Miller, grandson of a unit member. 

Black History Luncheon with the Eberly College of Science — Feb. 17, Noon–2 p.m., Verne M. Willaman Gateway to the Sciences (Third Floor). Sponsored by GSK, Penn State NOBCChE, the Penn State Department of Chemistry, and the Eberly College of Science Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

“Diversity in STEAM from a Real-Life Guardian of the Galaxy” — Thursday, Feb. 23, 5–6 p.m. (keynote/Q&A), 6–6:30 p.m. (reception/photos). Berg Auditorium (100 Huck Life Sciences Building). Presented by Moogega Cooper, trailblazing engineer of the famed Mars rover “Perseverance” mission for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Cosponsored by the Penn State Eberly College of Science, the Colleges of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Engineering, and Agricultural Sciences, the Office of Educational Equity, and the NASA Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium, and supported by the John M. Chemerda Lectures in Science. Register here.

Richard B. Lippin Lecture in Ethics: Margaret Burnham — Thursday, Feb. 23, 6 p.m., Flex Theatre, HUB-Robeson Center. The Rock Ethics Institute, Department of African American Studies, Department of History and Penn State Law present one of the titans of the civil rights movement, Margaret Burnham, University Distinguished Professor of Law at Northeastern University. Burnham’s lecture will be based on her book, “By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow's Legal Executioners,” which investigates Jim Crow-era violence, the legal apparatus that sustained it and its enduring legacy. Admission is free.

Penn State Abington

"Black Is ..." — Wednesday, Feb. 1, 3:30–5:30 p.m. in Lubert Commons. A celebration of Black history and culture that explores and educates the campus community on the Black experience. Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Brother to Brother; Sister to Sister; and the Black Student Union.

Penn State Altoona 

“What Would Dr. King & Malcolm X Teach in 2023: 3 Pieces of Generational Changing Advice for People That Care About DEI” — 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, Slep Student Center. A presentation from renowned speaker Odell Bizzell, a keynote speaker, podcast host, trained facilitator, entrepreneur, and author of six books. 

23rd annual African American Read-In: “Banned Black American Books” — Feb. 19-20. This year’s theme is "Banned Black American Books." Read the full story here. Events include:

Community Gathering — Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m. in Port Sky Café. A community dinner featuring literature, music, and a special activity for children. Attendees are invited to share a short reading from a work by an African American author or just listen and enjoy. All guests will get to choose a book to take home with them.  

Monday Marathon — 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20, Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. An open mic event with various readings, presentations, and quiz games to celebrate African American writers. Community members are invited to drop in throughout the day to participate and/or listen.   

Keynote Presentation: noon to 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20, Titelman Study of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Tiffany M. Nyachae will present a talk, “Refusing Book Banning/Anti-Truth Movements: Actively Protecting the Storying of Black Folx’s Lived Realities for Justice.” Nyachae is an assistant professor of education and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies at University Park. She is also podcaster, educational consultant, creator, and founder of the Evolving Education Project where the educational joys, passions, interests, and inquiries of people of color are centered.

Penn State Beaver 

Annual Soul Food Dinner — Saturday, Feb. 11. Penn State Beaver will be holding its annual Soul Food Dinner to celebrate Black History Month, an event of collaboration, fellowship and community building. The event is sponsored by Penn State Beaver's Black Student Union. 

Penn State Behrend

Rhythms of Life Series – Feb. 15, noon, Bruno’s Café. African Soul International will perform traditional West African dances and drum music as part of the Rhythms of Life Series. The series, which is sponsored by Behrend’s Office of Educational Equity and Diversity Programs and the Student Activity Fee, features a variety of music, dance and storytelling from all regions of the world. All performances are free and open to the public. Details are at the Rhythms of Life Series webpage.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” – Feb. 24, 5 p.m., Reed 117. The Association of Black Collegians and the Lion Entertainment Board will present a free screening of the 2022 film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in the Reed Union Building auditorium.

ABC and OACS Fashion Show – Feb. 25, 6 p.m., McGarvey Commons. The Association of Black Collegians and the Organization of African and Caribbean Students will host the 23rd annual ABC and OACS Fashion Show in McGarvey Commons. The program, which is free and open to the public, will feature fashion, music and appreciation for the different cultures and traditions at Penn State Behrend. Refreshments will be served.

Penn State Berks

Annual Black Excellence Dinner — Feb. 16, 8 p.m., The Barn at Flying Hills, 10 Village Center Dr., Reading, Pennsylvania. The Black Student Union hosts this dinner, which celebrates success and honors the achievements of those within the Penn Berks community. The theme is "Met Gala Gilded Glamour" and formal attire is required. This event is free and open to Penn State Berks students but pre-registration is required by Feb. 2.

Being Black at Berks — Feb. 24, 5–7 p.m., Perkins Student Center Auditorium. The Black Student Union presents their fifth anniversary showcase, highlighting the talents of African American students at Penn State Berks. This event is free and open to the public, and will include poetry, musical performances, an alumni panel, and a hair and skin expo.

For more information about these events, contact Tianna Hamilton, Black Student Union president, at TLH5738@psu.edu. 

Penn State Brandywine  

Spoken-word performer Carina Paulino — Noon–1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, Student Union Lion’s Den. Carina Paulino will present a spoken-word performance centered around the Afro-Latinx experience in the United States, as well as women’s rights, Latinx rights and mental health.   

Performance: Eems — Noon–1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, Student Union Parsons Dining Hall. Blending styles from hip-hop, alternative and pop music, Eems is a singer, songwriter, rapper, pianist and looper who is known for his versatile mashups and covers. 

“Hair Story” — 6–8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, Student Union 114-117. In early African civilizations, hairstyles could indicate a person’s family background, tribe or social status. At this event learn more about the role hair plays in culture. 

Motivational speaker Freddy Shegog — 5-6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, Student Union 114-117. Freddy Shegog creates and facilitates workshops to address collegiate recovery, substance use disorders and mental health, helping to change how colleges serve and educate students in recovery and dealing with mental illness. 

Gallery Walk — Noon–8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, Orchard Hall. Complete a gallery walk where the idea of beauty and what it means is explored through photos, words and displays.

Media historian Sam Lemon — Noon–1 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, Student Union 114-117. Media historian Sam Lemon will speak about how Black history has impacted Media, Pennsylvania. He is the author of “Go Stand Upon the Rock,” a novel based on his family history. 

Second Annual Celebration of Hip Hop — 6–9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10, Student Union 114-117. Learn how to mix beats, listen to music, enjoy food, trivia and photo booths. 

Documentary film: The MOVE fire — 5–6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 13, Student Union 114-117. Documentary about the MOVE fire in Philadelphia in 1985. 

Speaker: The MOVE fire — Noon–1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14., Tomezsko Lounge. Speaker about the MOVE fire in Philadelphia in 1985. 

Spoken-word artist Odd?Rob — Noon–1 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, Student Union Lion’s Den. Storyteller and spoken word performer Odd?Rob, four-time winner of Spokenword Artist of the Year, uses real inspirational stories, award-winning poetry and photography to motivate his listeners to persevere. 

Soul Food Cuisine — Noon-1:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20, Tomezsko Lounge. Enjoy traditional soul food cuisine while learning about its roots and traditions. 

Penn State Dickinson Law 

Derrick Bell Lecture Keynote: Penn State Dickinson Law Dean Danielle M. Conway — Wednesday, Feb. 1 (livestreamed). Penn State Dickinson Law Dean Danielle M. Conway, Donald J. Farage Professor of Law, will be the keynote speaker at the Derrick Bell Lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at University of Oregon School of Law. The free, public lecture will be livestreamed at 8:30 p.m. EST (5:30 p.m. PST), and is titled, 'Practicing Antiracism Unapologetically: Using Professor Derrick Bell’s thesis of the permanence of racism as inspiration for 'Building an Antiracist Law School, Legal Academy, and Legal Profession.'" Read more here.

Black History Month Symposium — 9:30–4 p.m. Feb. 18, keynote speaker at 3–4 p.m. Penn State Dickinson Law’s Black Law Students Association is hosting judges and practitioners to network and discuss being black in criminal law, diversity in the legal field, property ownership, education, black entrepreneurship and more. A variety of breakout sessions, panels, and speakers will be hosted throughout the day with a reception in the law school at 4 p.m. 

Penn State DuBois

DAL Series: Eboné Bell — 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, Hiller Auditorium. Many Americans can count the number of Black changemakers and historical figures they learned about in school on one hand. But why are most of us limited to this knowledge of Black history? After all, Black history is American history. By using the art of storytelling and relatability, Eboné creates a unique way of exploring Black historical figures, experiences, and important events that have shaped our past and present. 

IDREAM Committee Black History Month Recognition Week events:

• Paint 'n' Sip — 12:15 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20, Student Union 
• Bracelet Making — 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, Student Union 
• "Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom" — 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22, Library 
• Art Show "DEI Expressions" — 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, PAW Center   

“Black Authors Matter” — common hour, Monday, Feb. 27, Library. Celebrate Black History Month by learning about Black American authors and the events that influenced their writing. Students in English 139 will present posters outlining the authors' lives, work, and impact on American culture. 

Black History Month Game Show — 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 28, Hiller Student Union. 

Penn State Fayette

Black History Month Movie Series — 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6, 13, 20, and 27, Swimmer Hall. 

• “Till” — Feb. 6 — A 2022 biographical drama based on the true story of Mamie Till-Bradley, an educator and activist who pursued justice after the murder of her fourteen-year-old son Emmett in 1955. 
• “Selma” — Feb. 13 — A 2014 historical drama based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches involving James Bevel, Martin Luther King Jr., Hosea Williams, and John Lewis. 
• “Harriet” — Feb. 20 — A 2019 biographical film based on the true story of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad. 
• “Just Mercy” — Feb. 27 — A 2019 biographical legal drama which explores the work of young defense attorney Bryan Stevenson, who represents poor people on death row in the south. 

Douglass Day 2023 — Noon–3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 14, Library Ground Level. The Fayette Library invites faculty, staff, students, and the community to help us transcribe the papers of Mary Ann Shadd Cary, which includes reports, documents, and other printed material relating to her activities involving Women’s Suffrage in the United States and Canada. Come for the cupcakes, stay for the history! 

Penn State Harrisburg

"Reclaiming My Blackness" — Feb. 2, 6 p.m., Oliver LaGrone Cultural Arts Center, Olmsted W132. Spoken-word artists from Washington, D.C., Delaware and Maryland will provide breathtaking performances on the importance of empowering Blackness. This free event is presented by Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

"Critical Race Theory: Politics, Pedagogy, and Possibilities" — Feb. 7, 5–6:30 p.m., Living Room, Student Enrichment Center (SEC). A Fireside Chat with Wanda Knight, associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, will include an open forum with Knight and members of the Harrisburg campus community.

Penn State Laureate Velvet Brown presents MOJATUBA — Feb. 9, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre, SEC. MOJATUBA will bring solo tuba, dancers, piano, voice, and percussion to the stage in celebration of African Diaspora. The diverse ethnic theme of the program, especially its African influenced music and dance, contributes to the creation of a soulful energy that connects performers and audience. This free event is presented by the School of Humanities.

Black History: Divine Nine Greek Panel — Feb. 13, 6:30–8 p.m., Gallery Lounge, Olmsted W107. Community members of the Divine Nine (fraternities and sororities) will be on-campus for a panel to discuss the historical context of Black Greek Letter Organizations and the importance of community. This free event is presented by Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Campbell Brothers present Sacred Steel & Gospel — Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m., Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre, SEC. An evening of African American gospel music with electric pedal steel guitar and vocals. The tradition emerged from the House of God Keith Dominion Church, where for over 60 years it has been an integral part of worship and a vital, if little known, American tradition. Tickets available at this link.

"Makin' Cake" — Feb. 21, 7 p.m., Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre, SEC. This show slices into American history exploring race, culture and class with a lively look at baking cakes. Using digital media, storytelling and a cast of two live bakers on stage, Dasha Kelly Hamilton gives us part history lesson and part social science revelation in a refreshing dialogue and conversation about equity in America. This free event is presented by the Diversity and Educational Equity Committee. Register here.

“Soul Steps” — Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre, SEC. For over a century, step dancers have used their bodies as percussive instruments to create a new physical language that inspires, celebrates and forges community. Soul Steps brings this explosive art form to the stage in a high-energy performance that combines percussive movement, hip-hop rhythms, and call and response. This free event is presented by Student Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Register here.

Penn State Hazleton

"MLK — A History in Pictures" — Through end of February, Center for Multicultural Engagement, lower level, Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center. Display showcases poignant moments in the life of Martin Luther King Jr. during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement. See pictures of King in action with prominent figures in history.  Alongside each picture is a description of that moment in time.    

"The Black Journey: African American History Walking Tour of Philadelphia" — Saturday, Feb. 25.  An introduction to the topic of Black History during the colonial period to hear about the role that Black Americans played in the founding of the nation. The tour includes visiting several historic landmarks pertinent in Black history. Sign up in the Student Services & Engagement Office in Butler Room 105.

The following events will be hosted by the Penn State Hazleton Black Student Union:

• Black History Trivia – Tuesday, Jan 31, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Highacres Cafe  
• Game Night – Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., South Hall Game Room
• Poetry Slam – Thursday, Feb. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m., Highacres Café
• Pool Party – Friday, Feb. 3 (time TBA), Physical Education Building

Penn State Mont Alto

Black History Month Speaker Series — Feb. 1–27, GSB 105, Auditorium, General Studies Building. Series is open to students, faculty and staff at Penn State Mont Alto.

• Rita Frealing — “Following Your Plan” — Feb. 1
• Penn State Mont Alto Chancellor Francis Achampong — “Resilience” — Feb. 6
• Marvin Worthy — “The Testimony” — Feb. 13 
• Lance Walker — “My Shoes: One man’s experience living in America” — Feb. 20
• Tracie Potts — “Career Management: Designing Your Way to Success” —  Feb. 27 

Discussion: “Black History is more than a month” — Noon, Thursday, Feb. 2, WSC. 

Campus Symposium — Tentative topic: "Critical Race Theory" — 12:20 p.m., Monday, Feb. 20, GSB 105, Auditorium.

Soul Steps: Step Dance Show — 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 27, GSB 105, Auditorium. Soul Steps speaks the language of rhythm. This event showcases the African-American dance tradition known as "stepping." Their mission is to expand the presence of stepping throughout the world while creating avenues for cultural exchange and awareness among diverse communities. Soul Steps brings this explosive art form to the stage in a high-energy performance that combines percussive movement, hip-hop rhythms, and call and response. 

Penn State Scranton

Cultural Cuisine luncheon — Friday, Feb. 3 at Noon in The View Cafe. Join us for a Cultural Cuisine luncheon to kick off Black History Month with food from local, Woman- and Black-owned restaurant Paradise Soul Food and Sweets.

Black Health and Wellness Kahoot — Friday, Feb. 3 at Noon in The View Café. Black Health and Wellness Kahoot (a game-based, educational technology learning platform) featuring Black medical practitioners who have contributed to American healthcare.

Penn State Shenango

In honor of Black History Month, Penn State Shenango will feature the annual February Diversity Series hosted by the campus Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. 

Diversity Film Series: “Redlining: Mapping Inequality in Dayton and Springfield” — 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7, in Sharon Hall, Room 105. This film tells the national and local story of redlining, a practice which embedded racial segregation and inequality into the development of American cities and suburbs and created a wealth gap that continues to impact our communities today.  

“Backpack Jeff” Presentation — 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, Room 105, Sharon Hall. Jeffrey W. Young, known as Backpack Jeff, is a motivational speaker, spoken word artist, and conflict-resolution specialist.  

Redlining Art Exhibit — 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, Lecture Hall Art Gallery. Penn State Shenango adjunct faculty member Venise Abell displays her photography featuring themes of redlining. The event is free and open to the public.  

Food for the Soul — 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Great Hall. The Shenango community will gather to enjoy foods from various cultures around the world.  

Cidalia Cornelio Presentation — Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 12:15 p.m. in Sharon Hall, room 105. Shenango alumna Cidalia Cornelio presents to the campus community about diversity and entrepreneurship topics.   

Penn State Wilkes-Barre

"Backpack" Jeff Young — 12:15 p.m., Feb. 6, AC103. Speaker "Backpack" Jeff Young will present a stimulating and interactive discussion about how we should recognize our uniqueness and the uniqueness of others to celebrate our differences and to move our understanding of other cultures forward.  This event is open to faculty, staff and students. 

"The Road to Freedom: Black History & the Civil Rights Movement" — Noon, Feb. 7, Student Commons. This History Channel television special, narrated by Deon Cole, gives a fresh perspective of the Black movement in America, from Emancipation to the Civil Rights era. This event is open to faculty, staff and students. 

Performance: Jabali Afrika — 12:15 p.m., Feb. 13, Student Commons. Performance by Jabali Afrika, a band formed in Nairobi, Kenya, by former members of the Kenyan National Theatre. The band incorporates customary instruments such as the Mbumbumbu bass drums, the sikuti drum and chivoti flute. This event will highlight the musical culture of Kenya and expose our campus to an art form from that continues to influence musical trends. This event is open to faculty, staff and students. 

Black History Month Trivia Game! — Noon, Feb. 21, place TBA. Come test your historical knowlege of Black history.  Prizes will be awarded. 

Penn State York 

Dwennimmen African Dance Community — 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 2, Pullo Family Performing Arts Center. The Dwennimmen African Dance Community will take to the stage for a free, public performance. Tickets are not required. Based in Harrisburg, the community was born six years ago out of the love that Lark Daniel has for African dance and her desire to share it with the community. Dwennimmen is an Adrinka symbol that means humility and strength. 

Pennsylvania College of Technology  

Educational Displays with Giveaways: “Celebrating Black History Month” — Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 7-8, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dauphin Hall, Bush Campus Center Lobby, Hager Lifelong Education Center Lobby.

Educational Displays with Giveaways: “Colorism” — Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 14-15, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dauphin Hall, Bush Campus Center Lobby, Hager Lifelong Education Center Lobby.

Educational Displays with Giveaways: “Civil Rights, Timelines and Icons” — Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 21-22, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dauphin Hall, Bush Campus Center Lobby, Hager Lifelong Education Center Lobby.