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Your Guide To Black History Month Events At Penn State

As February nears, Penn State has a variety of events planned in honor of Black History Month. From art showcases to movie screenings, there’s truly an event for everyone looking to celebrate Black culture and honor Black history.

We’ve got you covered with a list of all the events that are happening on campus during February so that you don’t miss a thing!

The Joyfull ‘PURPLE’ Edition: Wednesday, January 29

On Wednesday, January 29, the Center for Performing Arts and Student Affairs is collaborating for a night of live performances accompanied by a diverse selection of cultural dishes. The program will feature performances by The Silver Spurs and Roots of Life, an invitation to the PURPLE experience by Sydnie Mosley, and a visit by the featured organization Center for Gender Equity. 

The Southern-flair menu will feature jambalaya, roasted purple root vegetables, and blueberry and blackberry cobbler. Free sustainable utensil sets will be given to first-time attendees while supplies last. The event starts at 6 p.m. in Heritage Hall at the HUB. Registration for the event is required, which can be found here.

Black Women’s Brunch: Saturday, February 1

In collaboration with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., the National Council of Negro Women, the Black Graduate Student Association, and the National Panhellenic Council will combine to host a Black Women’s Brunch to kick off Black History Month. The event aims to honor and celebrate African American women’s achievements, past, present, and future. 

The event will begin at noon and will be hosted in Heritage Hall at the HUB.

Black Activism In The 1800s: A Virtual Tour Of Resources Through Penn State’s Center For Black Digital Research: Tuesday, February 4

Members of the Center for Black Digital Research will share the history of the little-known Colored Conventions movement and the Black women intellectuals associated with this history. They also will provide a virtual tour of nearly 20 digital exhibits and community engagement activities that can be accessed from any location. 

The event will be held via Zoom from noon to 1 p.m. More information and the link to register for the virtual tour can be found here.

‘What Does PURPLE Sound Like?’: Tuesday, February 4, To Thursday, February 6

“What Does PURPLE Sound Like?” is an interactive multimedia art installation by Sydnie L. Mosley Dances. The installation focuses on and makes visible our neighbors of a distinctive age throughout central Pennsylvania, featuring excerpt performances from “PURPLE: A Ritual in Nine Spells.”

There will be three performance exhibits held in Eisenhower Auditorium, with two 7 p.m. performances on February 4 and 5. On February 6, there will be a performance exhibit at 2 p.m.

The event is pay-what-you-wish and registration is required. You can register for the event here.

‘Fire Through Dry Grass’ Film Screening: Wednesday, February 12

Penn State Sustainability and WPSU are hosting an online screening of the film, “Fire Through Dry Grass” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12. The film details the experience of disabled African American artists in a New York City nursing home trying to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the disproportionate impacts the pandemic had on communities of color and those with health preconditions.

A panel discussion will follow featuring experts from Penn State, who will provide lessons from COVID-19 about the social determinants of health and how we can better support community health for all. Pre-registration for the event is required and the link to pre-register can be found here.

PRCC Black History Month Fun Friday: Friday, February 14

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on February 14, join the Black Caucus, Black Graduate Student Association, and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center for their second annual Black History Month Fun Friday.

The event will be held in Room 122 of the HUB and will include free food, games, music from DJ Bennie, and much more.

‘Brother, You’re On My Mind’: Thursday, February 20

In collaboration with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the Black Emotions Advocate Team (the BEAT) and the Black Male Leadership Symposium (BMLS) will host the “Brother, You’re On My Mind” program, featuring keynote speaker and Penn State alumnus Johnnie Geathers.

The program is an opportunity for program attendees to engage in conversations centered upon de-stigmatizing mental health, increasing mental health awareness, and promoting therapy as both an impactful tool and a preventive measure.

The event will be hosted in Heritage Hall in the HUB and will start at 5 p.m.

‘William Still: Father of the Underground Railroad’: Thursday, February 20

Instructor and award-winning documentary producer John Grant will be hosting an online course about historical figure William Still. The course will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and registration is required.

Registered participants will receive the Zoom link two days before the course date. You can find the registration for the OLLI course here.

‘Black Chefs In The White House’ Featuring Adrian Miller: Wednesday, February 26

American culinary historian, lawyer, and public policy adviser Adrian Miller will offer an engaging and educational journey through the lives of African Americans who have served as cooks for U.S. presidents, from George Washington to Barack Obama.

The event, hosted by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center in collaboration with Student Affairs and World Campus, will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26 at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center Library in the HUB.

There will also be a virtual component of the event held on Zoom. More information and registration for the virtual event can be found here.

Lakecia Benjamin Concert: Wednesday, February 26

At 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin will host a concert in Eisenhower Auditorium. Benjamin is a five-time Grammy-nominated artist, earning two nominations at this year’s ceremony for her album “Phoenix Reimagined (Live)”.

You can buy tickets for the event here.

QTPOC Fashion Show: Thursday, February 27

In honor of Black History Month, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center and the Queer Transgender People of Color organization are collaborating to host a gender-affirming fashion show inspired by the queer ballroom culture of the 1970s and 1980s. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 27 in Alumni Hall in the HUB.

Participants are encouraged to walk the runway in outfits that make them feel confident in their gender identity. 


If you would like to see the full slate of events across the University Park and branch campuses, you can find more information here.

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About the Author

Dillon Williams

Dillon is a senior from Brooklyn. New York, majoring in Film Production and minoring in Photography. He's a photographer but also enjoys writing, watching sports and listening to music. If you ever want to see Dillon's work or what he's up to, you can follow him on Twitter and/or Instagram @dillonstyles_

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