Penn State campuses celebrate, commemorate Black History Month 2025

Expand

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State campuses across the commonwealth will be holding events from the end of January and throughout February in celebration and commemoration of National Black History Month.

Penn State University Park

The Joyfull "PURPLE" Edition - 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. The Center for the Performing Arts and Student Affairs invite you to replenish. Just like food, art comes from many forms, cultural backgrounds, and histories. We welcome all to come and enjoy a meal, live performance and conversation. Free sustainable utensil sets will be given to first-time attendees while supplies last, and recipe cards will be available at the event.

Black Women's Brunch - noon Saturday, Feb. 1, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. In collaboration with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., National Council of Negro Women, Black Graduate Student Association and National Panhellenic Council, this event will kick off the start of Black History Month and aims to honor and celebrate African American women's achievements, past, present and future.

"Black Activism in the 1800s: A Virtual Tour of Resources through Penn State's Center for Black Digital Research" - noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 4, via Zoom. 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. More information and registration for the virtual tour is available here.

"What Does PURPLE Sound Like?" A multimedia art installation by Sydnie L. Mosley Dances - 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 4 and 5; 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, Eisenhower Auditorium. This interactive, multimedia art 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." Participants are invited to take their time to browse and engage with an on-stage gallery installation.

"Fire Through Dry Grass" Film Screening - 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, online via Zoom. Penn State Sustainability and WPSU are hosting this online film screening detailing the experience of disabled African American artists in a New York City nursing home trying to survive during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting 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 about lessons from COVID-19 about the social determinants of health and how we can better support community health for all. Free and open to all campuses to attend. Pre-registration is required here for the Zoom film screening.

PRCC Black History Month Fun Friday - 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, 122 HUB-Robeson Center, Heritage Hall. Join Black Caucus, Black Graduate Student Association and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center for our second annual Black History Month Fun Friday! Stop by for free food, games, music by DJ Bennie and more. Questions? Email [email protected].

"Brother You're On My Mind" - 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. In collaboration with the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the Black Emotions Advocate Team (the BEAT), and the Black Male Leadership Symposium (BMLS), this 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 preventive measure. Featuring keynote speaker and Penn State alumnus Johnnie Geathers.

OLLI at Penn State University Park online course, "William Still: Father of the Underground Railroad" - 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, via Zoom. Presented by instructor John Grant, award-winning documentary producer of "Underground Railroad: The William Still Story" for national broadcast on PBS. Registered participants will receive the zoom link two days before the course date. Registration for the OLLI course is required here.

"Black Chefs in the White House" featuring Adrian Miller - 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, via Zoom and also in-person at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center Library in the HUB. 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. Hosted by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center in collaboration with Student Affairs and World Campus. More information and registration link for the "Black Chefs in the White House" virtual event is available here.

Musician Lakecia Benjamin - 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, Eisenhower Auditorium. Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip-hop and soul with her roots in Latin dance music. Benjamin adds to her three 2023 Grammy Award nominations with two more for Best Jazz Instrumental and Best Jazz Performance, for "Phoenix Reimagined (Live)."

Curator-led, behind-the-scenes exhibition tour, "Defining the New Negro: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance a Century Later" - 11-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, meet at the exhibition, located outside the Paterno Family Humanities Reading Room, second floor central Pattee Library. This will be followed by an open house of the Charles L. Blockson Collection of African-Americana and the African Diaspora, from 11:30 a.m. to noon. All are welcome to attend.

QTPOC Fashion Show - 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center. In honor of Black History Month, join the Paul Robeson Cultural Center in collaboration with QTPOC for a gender-affirming fashion show inspired by the queer ballroom culture of the 1970s and 1980s. Participants are encouraged to walk the runway in outfits that make them feel confident in their gender identity.

Exhibition: "Defining the New Negro: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance a Century Later" - on view until April 7 outside the Paterno Family Humanities Reading Room, second floor central Pattee Library. Drawing upon the distinctive collections of Penn State University Libraries, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the works of featured Black authors and artists and their efforts to redefine Black identity, life and culture. Works on display include letters, first edition novels, anthologies, photographs, rare periodicals and artwork that collectively reflect the various voices and perspectives that shaped the Harlem Renaissance. Find out more here.

Penn State Beaver

Soul Food Dinner - 7 p.m. Feb. 21, Student Union Building Lodge. Students, faculty and staff at Penn State Beaver are invited to celebrate the richness of African-American culinary traditions.

Penn State DuBois

"Black Authors Matter" - 12:15 p.m. Feb. 24, Penn State DuBois Library. Join us in celebrating the powerful voices of Black authors. This event highlights the rich contributions of Black writers to literature, culture and society. Engage in discussions, discover new books, and explore the impactful works that continue to inspire generations. Whether you're an avid reader or just beginning to explore, come celebrate the legacy and influence of Black authors.

Black History Month Trivia Tuesday - 12:15 p.m. Feb. 25, Penn State DuBois Hiller Union. Test your knowledge and celebrate Black History Month with our exciting Trivia Tuesday! Join us for a fun and educational session filled with questions about influential figures, key events and cultural milestones in Black history. Whether you're a history buff or just looking to learn something new, this is a great opportunity to engage, compete and honor the contributions of the Black community.

Penn State Great Valley

"Bayard Rustin's Local Roots" - noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, Penn State Great Valley Main Building, Room 131. Penn State Great Valley's Diversity Action Council will host guest speaker Anne Skillman from the Chester County History Center, who will present about the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.'s close adviser, Bayard Rustin. Rustin, born in West Chester in 1912, was a political activist and a prominent leader in the social movements for civil rights, nonviolence and gay rights. Lunch will be served. RSVP requested for "Bayard Rustin's Local Roots."

Penn State Harrisburg

Student Book Club: "The Violin Conspiracy" by Brendan Slocum - noon-1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, Holocaust Remembrance Conference Room, first floor Madlyn L. Hanes Library, Penn State University Libraries. "The Violin Conspiracy" tells the story of a Black violinist, Ray McMillian, who is about to play in a major competition only to find a $5 million ransom note instead of his priceless violin. As the Tchaikovsky Competition - the Olympics of classical music - approaches, McMillian must not only reclaim his precious violin but prove to himself - and the world - that no matter the outcome, there has always been a truly great musician within him. Participants will receive lunch and a free copy of the book to keep. Advanced registration is required for this Student Book Club event via Engage. Spaces are limited. Funded by the Student Activity Fee and sponsored by the Hanes Library and Student Engagement.

Penn State Lehigh Valley

BSU Bus Trip to the African American Museum of Philadelphia - 9:30 a.m. bus departure from Penn State Lehigh Valley, Saturday, Feb 1. Students will participate in a workshop and museum tour. Afternoon will include lunch (on your own) at Reading Terminal Market. The bus will depart at 4 p.m. to return to campus. The cost is $10 per student and the trip is funded by the Student Activity Fee. Students can register in Room 235, Student Affairs; or contact Pam Fleck at [email protected].

Hip-Hop Poetry Event - 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, Room 135. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to sign up and present their own or borrowed hip-hop poetry. Contact Black Student Union President Victoria Jeannot with questions at [email protected].

BSU "King Richard" Movie Screening on Campus - 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, Room 135. A free screening of the film, "King Richard," based on a true story about Venus and Serena Williams, will be shown on campus. This event is open to all members of the campus community. Contact Black Student Union President Victoria Jeannot with questions at [email protected].

Soul Steps Dance Troupe - 12:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, Room 135. Soul Steps Dance Troupe returns to campus to share its dynamic energy and the interesting history of step dancing in African American culture. This event is free to attend and open to all members of the campus community. Contact Pam Fleck with questions at [email protected].

Penn State Shenango

Black History Month Jeopardy - 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, Great Hall. Professor of History Phil Nash will host an in-person game show featuring questions related to Black history.

Balafon West African Dance Group - 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, Shenango Auditorium. Experience Black history through dance with a special performance by a West African dance and music ensemble from Pittsburgh.

Film: "Out of the Shadows: Black America since MLK" - 12:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, Sharon Hall Room 105. The Penn State Shenango DEIB Committee will host its annual Black History Month film. This year's screening features a PBS documentary about the ongoing struggle for Black equality.