Black History Month 2023

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February 2023

Black History Month 2023 Events

Welcome to the list of events for Black History Month in 2023 at San Jose State University. We are excited to bring to you this list of events that serve to explore and celebrate the theme for Black History Month this year: Black Resistance. These events are brought to you by a wide variety of co-sponsors and co-planners including the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center; the African American Studies Department; the Mosaic Cross Cultural Center; the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Student Involvement; Student Affairs, Campus Life; Student Union; Associated Students; the Writing Center; the MLK Library; and many more.

Event On,Feb

The Writing Center Social Media Campaign!

Event is located at:,A curated list of 50 songs by Black artists through the decades to reflect how Black resistance has evolved over time and through lyrics.
Event On,Feb

The Writing Center Social Media Campaign!

Event is located at:,A curated list of 10 books by Black writers which focus on or around the theme of Black resistance.
Event OnFeb

Art of The African Diaspora Satellite Exhibition

Location:This exhibit presents the work of emerging and established Black artists, introducing them to new audiences. This amazing exhibit features the works of Kelvin Curry, Stephen Bruce, and TheArthur Wright. Located in MLK Room 113 until February 28.
Event On,Feb

#ExistenceisResistance

Event is located at:,Celebrating this year's theme of Black Resistance, The BLOC and Mosaic will be featuring an entire month's worth of Black activists and leaders in a variety of different fields. Following us on Instagram for the month to see the posts. (The BLOC: https://www.instagram.com/thebloc_sjsu/ and Mosaic: https://www.instagram.com/sjsumosaic/)
Event On,Feb2

Black History Month Kick-Off

Event starts at:,6:00 - 7:30 pmEvent is located at:,Join us as we launch this year's Black History Month in fellowship and Celebration! At the Student Union Theater
Event On,Feb4

Striving for Justice: The History of Anti-Black Racism, Past, and Present

Event starts at:,2:00 - 3:00 pmEvent is located at:, Author and SJSU Alumni Alessandra Harris speaks on the history of Black incarceration, from the Jim Crow era to modern times. Located at the MLK Library Room 225
Event On,Feb7

A Seat @ the Table

Event starts at:,5:00 - 6:00 pmEvent is located at:,Created "For Us By Us" (FUBU), a dialogue space for discussing hot topics in the Black Community. At the BLOC
Event On,Feb8

KENDRICK SAMPSON: Spartan Speaker Series

Event starts at:,7:00 pmEvent is located at:, Kendrick Sampson is an actor, activist, and advocate for justice. He gravitated to the arts and sought to bring to life nuanced portrayals of Black men in his work. He is best known for performances on Vampire Diaries, Gracepoint, How to Get Away with Murder, and recently in the Emmy-nominated Insecure. Offscreen, Kendrick's activism challenges by examples to boldly use our voices to uplift the most vulnerable among us. This led him to co-create BLD PWR ("build power"), a non-profit initiative to focus on intersectional racial justice and undoing systemic oppression in the criminal system. Kendrick uses his voice to empower marginalized communities and to shine a light on issues of inequity. He is a proud supporter of the Standing Rock and Black Lives Matter movements, progressive political campaigns, and social justice education. Event is virtual.
Event On,Feb9

A Journey through Black Excellence: A Panel of Black Professionals

Event starts at:,10:30 - 12:30 pmEvent is located at:, San José Black professionals speak on their personal journeys through breaking barriers in a business world where they are marginalized to succeed and prosper in their communities. Panelists include Jeronica Macey, Co-Owner of Nirvana Soul; Kenneth West, President and CEO of Regional Medical Center; Tiffany Bradford-Oldham, San José Public Library Branch Manager. Moderated by Travis D. Boyce, Ph.D, Chair of SJSU’s Department of African American Studies and the Director of SJSU’s Ethnic Studies Collaborative
Event On,Feb9

Activism in Action: CHARACTER ILLUSTRATION

Event starts at:,2:00 - 3:30 pmEvent is located at:,Learn how to bring a character to life! We’ll be learning how to create a character, go over coloring techniques in illustration, and center resistance through joy and childlike imagination. At the Student Union, Meeting Room 2. RSVP at: bit.ly/AIAS23
Event On,Feb9

Black History Month Open Mic Night

Event starts at:,6:00 - 8:00 pmEvent is located at:,In honor of 2023 Black History Month, Mosaic in Collaboration with the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center (BLOC) and Student Union, Inc. invite you to share talents with the SJSU community. Open to SJSU student, community members and faculty/staff. Located at the Student Union Theater or Livestreamed on the Mosaic YouTube page.
Event On,Feb9

Trauma, Tresses, & Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives

Event starts at:,6:00 pmEvent is located at:,The Diasporic Peoples Writing Collective (DPWC) is hosting a literary event, Q&A, and signing feat. the anthology "Trauma, Tresses, and Truth: Untangling Our Hair Through Personal Narratives." Our guest will be its contributors, Lyzette Wanzer, Margalynne Armstrong, Jewelle Gomez, and Judy Juanita. This is a hybrid event, meaning Lyzette Wanzer will be in-person while her colleagues be with us live, via the wonders of technology. This event takes place on February 9, 6:00 PM at The Hammer Theater.Our guests will discuss "Trauma, Tresses, and Truth" while illuminating their experiences behind its creation and the perennial relevance surrounding matters of Black hair, legalities (i.e., news pertaining to H.R. 5309: The Crown Act), and other forms of resistance to our existence.More information at: https://dpwc2020.com/dpwc-feats-traumatressestruth/
Event On,Feb13

National Pan-Hellenic Council Informational Session

Event starts at:,6:00 - 7:30 pmEvent is located at:,Come out to learn the history, purpose, & mission of the chapters within the National Pan-Hellenic Council. NPHC is composed of historically African American/Black fraternities and sororities. NPHC Informational will give students the opportunity to learn about the 8 chapters established at SJSU. The event will be in person at the SU Theater & recorded.
Event On,Feb14

A Seat @ the Table

Event starts at:,6:00 - 8:00 pmEvent is located at:,Created "For Us By Us" (FUBU), a dialogue space for discussing hot topics in the Black Community. At the BLOC
Event On,Feb15

AAVE Is Not “Gen-Z Slang”: A Deep-Dive into African American Dialects

Event starts at:,5:00 - 6:00 pmEvent is located at:,African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is one of the various forms of resistance that persists in several forms of regional dialects and complexity beyond Standard English. In this workshop, we will learn about the history of AAVE and its several components to its functionality as a language, effectively addressing and debunking misconceptions about AAVE.Ari Peoples is a writing tutor at the SJSU Writing Center and a second year studying English with a Creative Writing concentration. As a Black person residing in the United States, Ari plans to serve the communities and offer opportunities to grow and educate oneself for personal or collective benefit. The SJSU Writing Center Director, Michelle Hager, will introduce and moderate the workshop.To book your space, visit bit.ly/WritingCenterBHM2023. We look forward to seeing you.
Event On,Feb15

Black Healing Circle/Drumming & Dance Workshop

Event starts at:,6:00 - 7:30 pmEvent is located at:,At the Student Union Ballroom A
Event On,Feb18

From the Eyes of Mary McLeod Bethune: A One-Act Play Performed by Tabia African-American Theater Ensemble 

Event starts at:,12:00 - 1:00 pmEvent is located at:, From the Eyes of Mary McLeod Bethune, conceived by Sharon Moore and directed by Viera Whye is a vivid depiction of the epic march of Blacks from slavery to freedom. Bethune (1875-1955), was a pioneer educator, government official, and founder of Bethune-Cookman College. Richly informative and entertaining, the show is relevant to many of the contemporary issues of American democracy. A brief discussion about the importance of Black theater will introduce this powerful performance. Sponsored by SJSU’s Department of African American Studies. Located in the MLK Library Room 225
Event On,Feb20

Exploring tools for resistance through Afrofuturism

Event starts at:,4:30 - 5:45 pmEvent is located at:,Location TBD
Event On,Feb21

A Seat @ the Table

Event starts at:,5:00 - 6:00 pmEvent is located at:,Created "For Us By Us" (FUBU), a dialogue space for discussing hot topics in the Black Community. At the BLOC
Event On,Feb21

BLOC 5 Year Anniversary!

Event starts at:,TBDEvent is located at:,Join us to celebrate the 5 year anniversary of the establishment of the BLOC at SJSU!
Event OnFeb24

BHM Movie Night - TILL

Time:6:00 - 8:00 pmLocation:In Celebration of Black History Month, join us for a special screening of TILL. This event is in partnership with the Black Leadership and Opportunity Center, Student Union Inc., and Associated Students. Located at the Student Union Ballroom.
Event On,Feb25

Women's & Men's Basketball BHM Game

Event starts at:,1:00 pmEvent is located at:,Our women's and men's basketball games will be celebrating Black History Month at the Feb 25th games. Located at the Provident Credit Union Event Center. The Women's game begins at 1:00 pm, the Men's game begins at 4:00 pm
Event On,Feb28

How to Negotiate Your Salary: Know Your Worth

Event starts at:,3:00 - 4:00 pmEvent is located at:,Gain confidence as a Black candidate on how to negotiate your salary. Black professionals, especially Black women, get paid less than their counterparts. Learn top strategies to negotiate your future pay and benefits! Event is Virtual.
Event OnFeb28

Celebrating Black Women in Entrepreneurship

Time:6:00 - 7:30 pmLocation:Join us for a panel highlighting Black women owned businesses in the San Jose community. Panelists will elaborate on how their identity impacts their business and how they uplift communities through their work. This event will be focused on empowering students through promoting professional and personal development and educating on women’s issues in business. Located in the Student Union Meeting Room 2A.
Event On,Feb28

A Seat @ the Table

Event starts at:,5:00 - 6:00 pmEvent is located at:,Created "For Us By Us" (FUBU), a dialogue space for discussing hot topics in the Black Community. At the BLOC
Event OnFeb28

Afrikan/Black Radical Teaching Traditions

Time:TBDLocation:TBD
Event On,Mar2

National Pan-Hellenic Council - Meet the Greeks

Event starts at:,6:00 - 8:00 pmEvent is located at:,You’re invited to come meet and see the NPHC chapters showcase their organizations. NPHC is composed of historically African American/Black fraternities and sororities. NPHC Meet the Greeks will have free giveaways, music, and opportunities for students to learn about the traditions of our NPHC chapters. Located at the Housing Quad.