2022 Black History Month Events

February 09, 2022

In addition to what’s listed below, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, the state’s oldest surviving Black newspaper, has curated a listing of virtual and in-person Black History Month events here.

Black Student Unions: Foundation for Student Support, Activism, Consciousness and Change
Thursday, Feb. 17, 9 to 10:30 am

Join Academic Black Table Talk (North Hennepin Community College) and Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) for our virtual spring kick off in celebrating Black History Month. Please note, no registration is needed.

Webinar description:

Born out of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, the first organization to call itself a Black Student Union, started at San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 1966. Since that time, thousands of African American students have found refuge, voice, and community within the college setting through their campus Black Student Union/Association (BSU/BSA).

Hear from scholar practitioners, Dr. Eda Watts, Associate Vice President of Equity & Inclusion, North Hennepin Community College, Alexander Hines, Director of Justice, Equity & Inclusion - MLK/PES Program, College of Liberal Arts University of Minnesota and current Minnesota State BSU student leaders on the:

• History of BSUs
• Continued and future impacts of BSUs
• Supporting role BSUs provide in a student’s identity development and academic success

Zoom ID: 941 1897 4560
Livestream: Facebook.com/MinnStateEquity

Black Perspectives: Detoxifying From Anti-Blackness
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 3 to 4 pm

The National Black History Month Theme for 2022 is Black Health and Wellness, this presentation will highlight the importance of detoxification of the mis-education of the Negro. Detoxification from the daily disease of anti-blackness and detoxification from the media inspired negative depiction it means to be Black. This presentation will serve as a mind cleanser providing and eliminating the mind of toxins while rebuilding the mind of pro black thought. Please joins us as we engage in building strong black people and communities.

About the speaker:

Dr. Marcellus Davis is Brooklyn Park, Minnesota’s first racial equity, diversity and inclusion manager. According to the Sun Post Newspaper, “A resident of Brooklyn Park, Dr. Davis is excited to join the Brooklyn Park team to provide strategic leadership, in collaboration with city leaders and staff, to advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion.”

Register in advance Zoom Meeting ID: 920 2888 4953

Yes4Minneapolis and the National Movement to End Police Violence
Tuesday, Feb. 22, 4:30 to 6 pm

George Floyd’s murder by the Minneapolis Police sparked national and international outrage. In the aftermath of the tragedy, organizers around the country have been working to end police violence and promote alternative approaches to public safety, grounded in community care and racial justice. Come hear from Corenia Smith, a nationally recognized expert on the movement to end police violence, about her experiences running the Yes4Minneapolis campaign. She’ll talk about the obstacles to meaningful systems change and share her vision for public safety beyond just policing.

About the speaker:

Corenia Smith (she/her) is a Black, queer, cis woman with a professional background in nursing. Working/rising at the intersection of policy, politics, and campaigning, she actualizes reproductive justice in her work. She has a love of Steven Universe, plants, board games, and otherwise enjoys hanging out at home with her husband and dog. She values learning, transformative growth, radical collaboration and leadership.

Register for this event 

Jim Crow of the North
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2 to 3:15 pm

Join the Anoka-Ramsey Sociology Department for a virtual film presentation and brief discussion of the documentary “Jim Crow of the North,” created by Dan Bergin.

More about the documentary:

Roots of racial disparities are seen through a new lens in this film that explores the origins of housing segregation in the Minneapolis area. But the story also illustrates how African American families and leaders resisted this insidious practice, and how Black people-built community — within and despite — the red lines that these restrictive covenants created.

Join the Zoom event Passcode: Movie

Health and Reconciliation through Historical Tragedy and Trauma
Friday, Feb. 25, 10:45 am

Raised in Birmingham, Lisa S. McNair attended the University of Alabama and was instrumental in helping to develop Civil Right Historic Tours in the greater Birmingham area. A professional photographer, Lisa has also worked in her family’s business, the Chris McNair Studios & Art Gallery.

As a national public speaker, Lisa also conducts anti-racism workshops. She shares the story of Denise’s life, her heinous murder, and how it affected her family, the city of Birmingham, and the world. She speaks on racial unity, and stresses that, as human beings, we have more in common than we have that are different.

Lisa hopes that the lessons learned from the Civil Rights Movement and the lives lost will never be forgotten, and that the evils of that time will never be repeated.

Learn more: century.edu/healing-reconciliation

Black Perspectives: Racial Justice, Civil Rights and Fighting the Power
Monday, Feb. 28, 3 to 4:30 pm

In this session, Nekima Levy Armstrong, nationally-renowned civil rights attorney, activist, and media personality, will discuss key racial justice issues impacting our society, including unfolding events in the Twin Cities, and the responsibility we each hold to become engineers of social change.

Register in advance Zoom Meeting ID: 987 1076 8656