CSU celebrates Black History Month: An Agenda of Events – The Cauldron

February is Black History Month, a time to honor the struggles, triumphs and important figures throughout Black history. CSU’s Black History Month agenda features activities, events, guest speakers and more.

The university kicked off the month with a Black History Treasure Trail on Wednesday, February 1. Students strolled through various campus locations and collected information about Black history from posters hung up all around. Those with the most information had the opportunity to enter a raffle and win a $25 gift card.

On Thursday, February 9, there will be a Black Women’s Support and Discussion Hour in partnership with Mareyjorce Green Women’s center. It will be led by Dr. Paula Mickens-English from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. and take place in Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, Berkman Hall 137.

A free social event called “Love & Unity,” in partnership with the Office of Multicultural Engagement, will take place just in time for Valentine’s Day on Tuesday, February 14 in the CSU Student Center Atrium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. It will feature a DJ, diaspora cuisine as well as panel discussions on Black love and the relationship between American and international hip-hop. Call 216-687-9394 for details.

That’s not all for the day of love. The Office of Multicultural Engagement is also planning The Social Mixer from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Diamond Room, The City Club, 850 Euclid Ave., #110. There will be refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and no charge, but an RSVP is required. Call 216-687-9394 for details/reservations.

As a way for students to test their knowledge on Black history, the Office of Multicultural Engagement is hosting a Black History Trivia and Board Games event on Thursday, February 16 at 11 a.m. in the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, Berkman Hall 137. 

The Student Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild will host a program called Duty of Defiance–Movement Lawyering in the Era of Dobbs on Thursday, February 16 at 5 p.m. in the CSU College of Law’s Moot Court Room, 1801 Euclid Ave. The description of the event follows:

“How can movement lawyers represent clients who we know, as political actors, may/may not intentionally break the law, not as criminals but as what they see as their moral obligation? Historically there are many examples (i.e. MLK, Jr., “draft dodgers,” civil disobedience, civil rights movement, Jane Collective, etc.), and plan to contextualize the legal issue using the recent Dobbs decision and the crisis surrounding abortion access. While the main thrust of this event is movement lawyering, the abortion crisis highlights a message that is almost always buried: this crisis will far disproportionately affect women of color. In addition to the moral obligation, there is the issue of professional ethics to protect individual interests, as well as remain useful tools for social movements.”

Project 400 Conference: Our Bodies, Our Minds, Our Communities—Physical, Emotional, and Environmental Impacts of Racism, is a two day conference that will take place Friday, February 24 and Saturday, February 25 in the Roberta Steinbacher Atrium of the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education and via Zoom (hybrid).

This is the fourth edition of this conference since it first began in 2019 as “a year-long observation of when the first Africans were brought to the British Colonies in North America in 1619.” The conference will also “further examine contemporary challenges African Americans face, highlighting the obstacles that have been overcome while identifying those that remain.” While Friday’s sessions will concentrate on the physical and mental effects of racism, Saturday’s will dive into environmental racism and its impact on health. Paid registration is required. Visit https://levin.csuohio.edu/di/fourth-annual-project-400-conference-2023 regarding required paid registration.

CSU is hosting “Courageous Conversations–Building Bridges with Black Culture,” as part of the virtual series that features discourse on topics such as inclusivity and diversity in a safe space. All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend. Registration links will be provided soon. Date and time are to be determined.

All month long, Viking Food Co.’s Viking Marketplace will spotlight Black Culinary Excellence by featuring their African American culinary experts for everyone in the university and community to enjoy.

CSU will continue to add events to their agenda as the month proceeds.