Celebrated during the month of February, Black History Month (BHM) spotlights the contributions and achievements of the Black community.
The month’s theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” aims to highlight historical contributions from the Black community. The theme reinforces the importance of remembering the past as the work for a better future continues.
Below is a list of events, on- and off-campus, to celebrate this historic month.
On campus:
The House of Black Excellence Gala
Hosted in Buckley Center Art Gallery, the gala will feature musical performances, food and will serve as the opening reception to a curated gallery. Join the Black Student Union (BSU) in the first iteration of their gala celebrating Black history.
The gallery will feature four different sections, each detailing an aspect of Black history and culture, and it will run from Feb. 13 through March 13, according to BSU President Olivia Outley.
“The exhibit as a whole is meant to showcase Black history and the resistance back then and still to this day that some people may not recognize or know the truth behind,” Outley said.
The first exhibit, “Politics of the Curl,” will highlight the history and significance of different Black hairstyles and products used to create those styles. This section was created by Outley and BSU Treasurer Aiyana Fox.
The second display was created by Outley and Skyler Kelso, BSU's social chairman. Titled “The Blueprint,” the exhibit showcases the influence of Black culture in fashion across different historical periods.
“Black & Beloved,” the third display, aims to celebrate Black love and address stereotypes and misconceptions about the topic. It was curated by the BSU board.
Lastly, “In The Spotlight: The Legacy Unfolds,” will feature 40 influential Black figures, many of which have gone unrecognized throughout history.
The gala will be held on Feb. 21 and is free and open to everyone, with a semi-formal dress code.
Additionally, BSU decorated the Diversity Center for the month. They’ve created a slideshow showcasing the importance of BHM, as well as pictures of club members' families.
3rd BHM Celebration Market
Coming to campus for the third year in a row, the 3rd BHM Celebration Market will feature over 50 Black-owned businesses. The event, hosted in collaboration by the Pilot Black Student-Athletes (BSA) and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), aims to bridge the gap between Portland’s Black community and the UP community.
Nevaeh Bray, visionary for BSA and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee chair for SAAC, has been involved with the market’s planning since its first year.
“There's so much more outside of just the University of Portland campus,” Bray said. “There's Black businesses and Black organizations that are doing really dope and cool things in the community. And like, why not use the University of Portland as a home base to showcase this amazing, beautiful work that is happening.”
Vendors will range from selling clothing items and jewelry to skincare and haircare products. Local non-profits like Big Yard Foundation will also be featured.
The market is open to the public and will take place on Feb. 16 inside of Bauccio Commons from 5-7 p.m.
Off campus:
36th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films
Portland Community College Cascade Campus will host the 36th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films from Feb. 6 through March 7. Featuring films and documentaries, the festival aims to showcase the rich and diverse cultures of Africa.
Attendees can experience the festival in person, where admission is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. However, a list of virtually available films is also provided. Those interested can check out the event calendar here.
NW Black Comedy Festival
Recognized by the New York Times as one of the best Black History Month celebrations, the NW Black Comedy Festival is a week-long event you won’t want to miss.
Hosted by Dirty Angel Entertainment, the festival’s tenth iteration will feature over 60 Black comedians. Showcases range from improv nights to stand-up comedy sets and more.
The event runs from Feb. 16-22, with multiple events each night. The schedule can be found here.
Samantha Zavala is the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Editor for The Beacon. She can be reached at zavala27@up.edu.
