Celebrating Black History Month

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The campus community is celebrating Black History Month with several virtual events, including an Africana Studies showcase and a talk about the photographic legacy of civil rights icons.

The University also has curated a a Black History Month reading list and a Black History Month playlist, available on Spotify and Amazon Music.

As it did with Hispanic Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Month, the University has created a cultural logo for Black History Month, with graphic icons representing Black innovations in the arts and sciences and symbols of Black community and activism. The logo is featured on several products available at the BookStores and on the University's Amazon site, with a portion of the sales from both sites going to African American Student Affairs to benefit students.

See a list of upcoming events below.

Breaking Down Barriers With Arizona Athletics | Monday, Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m.

This event will honor former student-athletes and coaches who broke color barriers and became the first Black student-athlete or coach in their respective sports at the university. Attend on Zoom.

The Spirit of Spirituals: Famous and Stirring Songs of Faith, and Their Stories | Tuesday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m.

This presentation by Súle Greg Wilson – an educator, musician, dancer, storyteller, author, archivist and director of the Smithsonian Institution's Afro-American Index Project, the precursor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture – will explore African and post-African music, the stories behind the songs, their cultural significance, and why they continue to endure. The event will run for about 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A. This event is the second of a two-part series presented by the Arizona State Museum in partnership with Arizona Humanities. Attend on Zoom.

Black History Month Virtual Showcase | Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2 p.m.

The Africana Studies Program invites the public to hear from guests, professors, alumni and students about the program and its research, community partnerships and more. Bryan Carter, an associate professor and director of the Center for Digital Humanities, will introduce Africana studies professors, alumni and students, and special guests including attorney Richard Davis and Barbea Williams of Barbea Williams Performing Company. This event is part of the College of Humanities' Tucson Humanities Festival. Attend on Zoom.

Who Framed Rosa Parks: The Photographic Legacy of Civil Rights Icons | Tuesday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.

Brenna Wynn Greer, an associate professor of history at Wellesley College, will give a talk on the collaboration of civil rights activists and media that resulted in visuals and ideals that set the terms for Black protest and Black history. Greer is a historian of race, gender and culture in the 20th-century United States who explores historical connections among capitalism, social movements and visual culture. She teaches topics in 20th-century U.S. and African American history. This event is part of the College of Humanities' Tucson Humanities Festival.
Attend on Zoom, and sign up on Eventbrite to receive email reminders about the event.

Film Screening and Panel Discussion: "Mr. SOUL!" | Wednesday, Feb. 24, 4 p.m.

"Mr. SOUL" is a documentary about Ellis Haizlip, creator and host of the public television variety show "SOUL!" The show offered an unfiltered, uncompromising celebration of Black literature, poetry, music and politics. Panelists for the virtual event include Tani Sanchez, professor of Africana studies, and Jacqueline Trimble, chair of the Department of Languages and Literatures at Alabama State University.
Find more information and register on the All Events website.

Diversity & Inclusion Black History Month Brown Bag: Moving Forward, Looking Black | Friday, Feb. 26, 12 p.m.

The Office of Diversity & Inclusion hosts this open discussion about the state of Black Wildcats during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as well as during the global civil rights movement.
Attend on Zoom.