Uplifting and Celebrating Our Community
Black History Month celebrates black history, culture, accomplishments, and the contributions of Black people to our society. The month honors not only the past, but also, black futures and possibilities. Carter G. Woodson, famed historian and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History established Negro History Week in 1926 and was observed the second week of February. Fifty years later, President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976. Prior to its official recognition many black students and educators at Kent State University were some of the earliest proponents to celebrate Black History Month in 1970.
The theme for Black History Month 2023 is inspired by the 2017 Variety Emmy Red Carpet Interview of producer, writer and actress Issa Rae. This theme embodies Black people’s strong desire for black joy, love and success as black people seek liberation in an anti-black world that associates blackness with violence and struggle. I’m rooting for everybody Black empowers and calls for the creation of spaces for Black people to celebrate and honor black history, traditions, and affirm Black identities. Black people know that the joy, peace and opportunity to strive in life is their birthright and black people will continue to take up space and shine unapologetically.
We invite the campus community at Cal State Fullerton to engage in dialogue and reflection about Black excellence and joy through events, programs and arts that celebrate and amplify black people in February like the trailblazers at Kent State University. Join us as we uplift and celebrate the Black community.
Past Events
Black History Month Art and Book Display
Wednesday, Feb. 1 through Mar. 26
Pollak Library North 1st Floor (In front of the elevators)
Join the Pollak Library and the African American Resource Center (AARC) in celebrating Black History Month with a select curation of books on black experiences, histories, traditions and Black intellectual thought. The books were selected by Dr. Mei-Ling Malone and Dr. Natalie Graham of the CSUF African American Studies Department and the AARC Library Liaison Cotton Coslett. The display will also feature visual art submissions such as poems from a student and physical/visual items on loan by CSUF University Archives and Special Collections, CSUF Pollak Library and the AARC.
Soulful Wellness Wednesday
Wednesday, Feb. 1
1-2 p.m., Pollak Library South 182
February's Soulful Wellness Wednesday’s theme is “I’ve Got Yo Back” – a discussion and activity about how to positively affirm each other in order to cultivate Black unity, joy and overall wellness.
Welcome Black Wednesday
Wednesday, Feb. 1
2-3:30 p.m., Pollak Library South 182
The African American Resource Center (AARC) will launch Black History Month by welcoming our black Titans back to campus. This event will allow students to socialize through games, activities, food and learn about the AARC. Information will be provided about the resources, programming and events the center offers. Interact with AARC student assistants and our People of Nia mentors of the AARC’s peer-to-peer mentorship program.
Movie Night: Hidden Figures
Wednesday, Feb. 1
4-7:30 p.m., Gordon Hall 229
Join the Male Success Initiative for a screening of Hidden Figures. Set in 1961, the film follows the lives of three Black female employees at a Virginia NASA research center. Katherine Coleman, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson are each brilliant in their respective positions, yet segregation laws and outright sexism has prevented them from moving on to rightful promotions. This film not only highlights the hardships of these women but the eventual successes they achieved through their sheer will. As this film shines light on true “hidden figures,” MSI chose this film to both inform our students of POC heroes and allow them to engage with others in the post-discussion to dissect the meaning of these heroes being brought more to light. Facilitator: MSI Student Leader Emma Elise Way will moderate the discussion. This event is open to CSUF students, faculty, staff, alumni and the larger Fullerton community.
Homeboy Industries: The Power of Radical Kinship
Tuesday, Feb. 7
2:30-4 p.m., Gordon Hall 229
National incarceration rates over the last two decades predicted that 1 in 3 African American boys and 1 in 6 Latinx boys would spend time in prison at some point in their lives. Homeboy Industries is the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. Presenters: Rick Jones (Alum-CSUF) and Lami Glenn (Alum-CSULA) will discuss their work with Homeboy Industries and share their life journey. This event is open to CSUF students, faculty, staff, alumni and the larger Fullerton community.
Concert at the Becker with Brandon
Tuesday, Feb. 7
Noon till 1 p.m., Becker Amphitheater
This event will feature R&B and Soul artist Brandon, who recently performed at the This ain't no Picnic festival. There will be a giveaway and farmers market vouchers for the students who come to enjoy the show
Manifesting Success: Vision Board Social
Thursday, Feb. 9
3-5 p.m., Pollak Library South 182
The Manifesting Success workshop is for students to visually outline the goals they want to achieve this year. We will be tackling social, personal, professional goals with an emphasis on academic goals. We will review helpful academic tips from the CSUF Student Success Centers website that offers ways to plan and achieve realistic goals.
For more information, follow @csufaarc on Instagram.
Beyond the Conversation: Nikole Hannah-Jones
Thursday, Feb. 9
6-9 p.m., TSU Pavilions
Acclaimed reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones ushers in the spring semester of Beyond the Conversation on February 9th at 6pm in the Titan Student Union Pavilion. Nikole Hannah-Jones received the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 2020 for her work on the 1619 Project, a long-form journalistic endeavor that investigates the origins of the slave trade in America and how it has shaped what the country would become. Her storied career has also seen her earn the MacArthur Fellowship, a Peabody Award, two George Polk Awards, and three National Magazine Awards. She’s been named the Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists.
This event is hosted by Associated Students Inc. at CSUF and the Division of Student Affairs.
For more information, follow@asicsuf on Instagram.
Black Book Chat
Saturday, Feb. 11
10-11:30 a.m., Virtual via Zoom
The Institute of Black Intellectual Innovation (IBII) will be co-hosting Black Book Chat virtually with special guest co-host Romaine Washington on February 11 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. We will be discussing Fugitive Pedagogy: Carter G. Woodson and the Art of Black Teaching by JARVIS R. GIVENS. This interactive book chat doesn’t require that you read the book to interact fully. We always begin the conversation with prompts that relate to the book but allow participants to engage with the concepts without having read the book. We also curate additional resources and quotes from the book that we will share on Instagram during January leading up to the Book Chat on @blackbookchat.
For more information, follow @blackbookchat on Instagram.
ASI Presents: Expressions Black History Month
Tuesday, Feb. 14
10 a.m. – 12 p.m., TSU Pub
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to join us in the TSU Pub to create and express their connections and experiences with Black History Month. Arts and crafts supplies will be provided and ASI support staff will provide tips and guidance as needed. A live mic and stage will also be available for those wishing to engage in live Expression.
For more information, follow @asicsuf or visit asi.fullerton.edu or email asidei@fullerton.edu.
The Immigrant Experience is Also Black
Wednesday, Feb. 15
1:30-2:30 p.m., Pollak Library South 184
This event will explore the contributions of the Immigrant and Undocumented Black community in the U.S. as well as the challenges these individuals faced to achieve immigration relief. This event is open to students, faculty and staff.
For more information, follow @tdrc_csuf on Instagram.
Navigating Your Black Identity in the Workplace
Thursday, Feb. 16
6-8 p.m., Zoom & Pollak Library South 182
The Office of Alumni Engagement will be collaborating with the African American Resource Center (AARC) to host an CSUF Alumni Panel on the black identity and the workplace. Whether you’re looking for a job or are already in the seat, come join us as we gather in community to discuss what it means to navigate your Black identity in the workplace.
For more information, follow @CSUFAlumni and @CSUFSAA on Instagram or alumni.fullerton.edu.
Ujima Mentoring Program Info Session
Tuesday, Feb. 21
1-2 p.m., Pollak Library South 182
This event is a drop-in information session about the Ujima mentoring program that connects Black students with Black CSUF alumni, faculty and staff. This event is open to students, staff, faculty and alumni.
For more information, visit ed.fullerton.edu/c-real/projects.
Black Transfer Student Mixer
Tuesday, Feb. 21
5:30-7:30 p.m., TSU Bowl and Billiards
The Transfer, Adult, Re-entry, Parenting and Pregnant (TAPP) Center and the African American Resource Center (AARC) will host a mixer for fellow Black transfer students to form a sense of community on campus with one another. Join us for a fun and interactive Black Transfer Mixer! In addition to an opportunity to meet and connect with other Black Transfer students, there will be bowling, activities, and tacos!
For more information, follow @csufaarc and @csuftappcenter on Instagram.
Titan Table Talk: Empowering Black Communities
Wednesday, Feb. 22
11:30 a.m – 1 p.m., Virtual via Zoom & CP-207
Titan Table Talk is a monthly dialogue event in which panelists are invited to speak on their personal and professional experiences as it relates to the selected theme. Utilizing the “narrative change” aspect of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Framework, this event will help educate participants on the impact of various social justice issues on certain cultural identities to promote racial equity on campus.
For more information, visit hr.fullerton.edu.
All Titans are invited to watch the event in CP-207
Movie Night: Moonlight
Wednesday, Feb. 22
4-7:30 p.m., Gordon Hall 229
Join the Male Success Initiative (MSI) for a screening of the film Moonlight. In a society where tradition entails placing the heterosexual white man beneath the spotlight, Moonlight is a film that allows for many Black queer men to see themselves represented on the big screen. This film tackles issues such as not being able to fit into the ideals of masculinity, falling subject to homophobia, and an overall discovery of oneself. Also, Moonlight addresses the painful effects of hyper-masculinity and how there is hope for a way to heal from it. After the movie, our MSI brothers will engage in a gentle discussion on the film and its impact on modern society. MSI student leader Alexis Garcia will facilitate the discussion. This event is open to CSUF students, faculty, staff, alumni and the larger Fullerton community.
February Diaspora Dialogue: Curl Care
Wednesday, Feb. 22
1-2:30 p.m., Pollak Library South 182
Curl Care, is a program that is designed to spark necessary conversations surrounding hair which has an important significance in the Black community. This conversation will cover topics such as texturism, embracing your hair, styling techniques to help others grow with their hair journeys, and a fun giveaway to utilize what was learned in the discussion.
For more information, follow @csufaarc on Instagram.
Building Black Wealth
Thursday, Feb. 23
1-2:30 p.m., Pollak Library South 182
Come learn about Money with the AARC ECS Mentor, Eugene “Tre” Petitiford! We will be presenting information on banking, investing, credit, and more!
One Book, One CSUF - Fireside Chat with Maika and Maritza Moulite
Friday, Feb. 24
3-5 p.m., TSU Pavilions
Registration forthcoming (will open when Spring 2023 semester begins) The authors of this year’s one book selection – One of the Good Ones will visit the CSUF campus for a “fireside chat” open to the broader Titan community. This event is open to students, staff, faculty and Alumni.
For more information, follow @csufdiversity on Instagram.
University Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, Feb. 26
3-5 p.m., Meng Concert Hall
Conducted by Kimo Furumoto, the University Symphony Orchestra will perform Florence B. Price’s Symphony No. 1 in E minor.
For more information, email Kimo Furumoto at kfurumoto@fullerton.edu.
Super Sunday
Sunday, Feb. 26
Friendship Baptist Church
Two Services beginning at 8-11:30 a.m. CSUF staff/faculty will table in between the two services from 9:30-11:15 a.m., 17145 Bastanchury Rd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886.
Second Baptist Church
One service beginning at 9 a.m. CSUF staff/faculty will table after service approximately 10:30-11:30 a.m., 4300 Westminster Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92703.
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church
One service beginning at 9 a.m. CSUF staff/faculty will table after service approximately 10:30-11:30 a.m., 45 Tesla, Irvine, CA 92618., President Framroze Virjee will be the keynote speaker at this church for Super Sunday.
For more than a decade, the CSU has partnered with faith-based leaders to host Super Sunday during the month of February. CSU leaders bring an empowering message to churches throughout California about the importance of preparing for college. The Super Sunday initiative, now in its 13th year, represents a critical partnership between the CSU and African American churches throughout the state to encourage our youth to pursue higher education. CSUF will be partnering with the churches mentioned above. We invite faculty and staff to table at one of the above listed churches. You will have the opportunity to talk with students and families about going to college and the amazing resources we have available at CSUF. Outreach and Recruitment staff will be present to assist and will also provide all necessary materials for the table. This event is for faculty and staff only.
