Black History Month 2024

This month, the Office of Inclusion and Diversity, or OID, joins the United States to celebrate Black History Month and honor the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape the nation. Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are an integral part of our country's history.

Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.

In celebrating Black History month this year, the Black Student Union or BSU also recognizes 40 years as an organization, and we commemorate 60 years of integration at Auburn University. On January 4, 1964, Dr. Harold A. Franklin, bravely registered for graduate classes at Auburn University, becoming the first African American student at the institution.

Organizations across Auburn will be hosting several events and initiatives to commemorate these milestones as well as Black History Month.  Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate. For more information about the events listed below and other events, please visit AU Involve and the Auburn Events Calendar.

Events

BSU's Family Reunion: Neo Soul  

Thursday, February 1, 2024 | 5:00 p.m.
Melton Student Center Ballroom
Current Students Only
Hosted by the Black Student Union

 

The Auburn Forum for Southern Art and Culture

Features several artists and includes “Black Codes: Art and Post-Civil Rights Alabama”
Saturday, February 3, 2024 | 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art
FREE for Auburn students, faculty, and staff
More Information: https://jcsm.auburn.edu/event/23-auburn-forum/

 

Harold A. Franklin Society Showcase

Saturday, February 3, 2024 | 1:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Melton Student Center Ballroom
HAFS is returning to campus! Come learn about this historic organization

 

Dean’s Cafe

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
106 Hargis Hall Conference Room

 

Thoughtful Thursday - Exploring Diversity

Thursday, February 8, 2024 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Mell Classroom 2510

 

Unity Week

Monday, February 12–16, 2024
Sponsored by The Black Student Union

 

Women of Color Networking Social

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Melton Student Center Ballroom
RSVP at aub.ie/wocsocial

 

Unity Week Block Party

Thursday, February 15, 2024| 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Campus Green
Sponsored by The Black Student Union

 

BSU 40^th Anniversary Gala

Saturday, February 17, 2024 | 5:00 p.m.
Melton Student Center Ballroom
Open to students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community

 

Black History Month Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 11:30 p.m.– 1:00 p.m.
Shelby Center McCartney Suite
https://aub.ie/OIDLunchandLearnRSVP

 

Alvin Ailey Experience

Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 4:30 p.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Gogue Performance Arts Center
First 50 students to RSVP receive a free ticket to the show
RSVP at aub.ie/AlvinAiley24

 

Jazz and Poetry

Wednesday, February 21,2024 | 6:00 p.m.
Melton Student Center Ballroom
Hosted by the Black Student Union

 

Thoughtful Thursday – Perception & Biases

Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Mell Classroom 2510

 

Trip to Legacy Museum

Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Montgomery, AL

 

Black History Month Panel Through the Decades

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 5:30 p.m.– 7:30 p.m.
Melton Student Center Ballroom

 

International Culture and Cuisine Classes–Black Heritage Month

Tuesday, February 27, 2024 | 5:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m.
Rane Culinary Science Center, 312
Hosted by the International Culture Center
Register at aub.ie/cuisine

 

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Recognition of Black History was initially celebrated during the second week of February in 1926 to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas. The recognition expanded to a month during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. While Lincoln was part of the original celebration, consider taking the time this month to learn more about Lincoln’s complex history with race.

To learn more about Auburn’s events and initiatives from this past year, along with information on Auburn’s commitment to fostering a diverse campus community and other notes of cultural recognition, please visit OID’s Instagram page and Auburn’s DEI landing page.