Black History Month
WKU activities and events sponsored by ISEC, WKU offices, and student organizations.
The Intercultural Student Engagement Center, along with our black student organizations decided to collaborate on a calendar of events for the WKU campus community. Our goal is to make Black History Month, more than just a month! In the past, we have hosted events during Black History and a calendar, but never to this magnitude. A series of social, mental health, and academic programming dedicated to the black community will help to enhance this goal. Several of our African-American students have expressed that the WKU campus climate is not what they wish that it was. This will be a good first step to a community that supports all of our students. All of our organizations have collaborated on at least 20 events during a 6-week span. Several of our events will bring in people from not only the local community, but also the national community. President Caiboni reflects on the importance of campus and community collaboration, this Black History month will give us the chance to do so. We are committed to highlighting that Our Black Is.. powerful, unique, strong, timeless, and connected!
February 1, 2023
Black History Month Opening Ceremony
6:30 PM
Harbaugh Club at Smith Stadium
Keynote Speaker – Reverend Shawn Sales
The annual Black History Month Opening Ceremony is a dinner featuring a guest speaker. Several performances from student groups will also take place. The event is open to the public, but its capacity is limited.
Sponsored by Black Student Alliance, NAACP, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and ISEC
February 2, 2023
Black History Month Night at Hilltopper Basketball
7:00 PM
Diddle Arena
Celebrate Black History Month with Hilltopper Basketball as they host UTSA for Black History Night on Feb 2nd at 7 pm. We will honor the past as we recognize some of our first African American Athletes and celebrate with several performances. Students receive free admission with WKU ID. Fans can use promo code BLACKHISTORY at checkout to purchase $10 bleacher seat (reg. $15) for this game Prior to the game, a pre-game mixer will take place in Auxiliary Gym B from 5:30 pm-6:30 pm. The mixer is open to all WKU students. The first 40 students will receive a Black History Month shirt (Limited size). If you are interested in attending the Black History Night Mixer, please RSVP below. You or your group must RSVP to attend by Jan 31st. RSVP HERE.
Sponsored by WKU Athletic Marketing
February 6, 2023
Meet the NAACP
7:00 PM
DSU 3006
Get to know the executive committee of the Collegiate Chapter of NAACP and gain knowledge of the organization's existence. If you would like to make a difference and advocate for your community, this organization will be a great opportunity for you.
Sponsored by the WKU-NAACP
February 7, 2023
Artist Talk and Reception with Aaliyah Ellis
3:30 pm
DSU 2041
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Aaliyah Ellis has enjoyed illustrating for many years, but it wasn’t until her admission to Western Kentucky University’s Department of Art & Design that she discovered her unique style. By infusing her cultural heritage with a bold illustrative style, Aaliyah’s work is an amalgamation of afro-centric Benin pre-colonial Cubism and contemporary digital illustration. When asked about her unique illustration style, Aaliyah said, “My style has to be my own. I’m not here to copy anybody. I’m here to be me.”
Aaliyah draws creative inspiration from her life, popular culture, and historical events. Aaliyah says, “If I don’t use my skills and my art to tell these important stories, who will?”
Sponsored by the WKU Art Department, Women & Gender Studies program, and the Intercultural Student Engagement Center
February 7, 2023
Black History Month Arts & Crafts with the BG Housing Authority
4:00 pm
Bowling Green Housing Authority
WKU NAACP will be assisting the Bowling Green Housing Authority with helping children honor Black History Month through education and activities.
Sponsored by the WKU chapter of NAACP.
February 7, 2023
Epic Rap Battles of Black History with Bert and Det
6:30 pm
DSU Night Class
Bert and Det produce three rounds of emcee battles, highlighting contrasting views of famous African American men & women! Refreshments provided.
Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center, NAACP, Mahurin Honors College, and the Black Student Alliance
February 8, 2023
Kulture Karaoke
7:00 PM
DSU 2085
Let’s see if you know your Kulture. Come represent and battle your way to the top, a chance to win an Apple Card.
Sponsored by the WKU chapter of the NAACP
February 8, 2023
February 8, 2023
Black Excellence Exposition
7:00 PM
FAC Recital Hall
The Black Excellence Exposition is an annual student-created and student-run performance to provide a stage for black voices by members of the WKU Forensic Team, and others from the university and the surrounding community.
Sponsored by WKU African American Studies Program & WKU Forensics
February 9, 2023
February 9, 2023
Black Minds Matter
4:00 pm
Honors College rm. 1011
It's Transformational Thursday! Come Transform your health by attending our 1st annual Mental Health seminar with the addition of our relatable and informative panel. It’s time to put us FIRST! Refreshments will be provided.
Sponsored by the WKU chapter of the NAACP
February 10, 2023
"Till" Movie Viewing
7:00 pm
DSU 2085
Join us in the viewing of the true story of Mamie Till Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice, alongside the NAACP for her 14-year-old son, Emmett Till, whose lynching sparked the civil rights movement.
Sponsored by the WKU chapter of the NAACP
February 13, 2023
The Loyola Project
6:30 pm
DSU Auditorium
The Loyola Project is a 2022 documentary film about the 1963 Loyola Ramblers men's basketball team and the Game of Change. The film details how the Ramblers, led by coach George Ireland, broke down racial barriers in college basketball on their path to becoming NCAA champions.
Sponsored by WKU Athletics
February 14, 2023
My Black Is..
12 pm- 2 pm
DSU 1st floor
Blackness has many different meanings. Black is beautiful, powerful, strong, and colorful. What is your blackness? Stop by our table in the union to take a picture and express how bold your blackness is!
Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center
February 15, 2023
What Happend to Jonesville?
11 am- 2 pm
DSU 1st floor
Jonesville was a vibrant African American community in Bowling Green from around 1881 to the 1960s. Although the buildings are gone and many of the people who lived there have passed on, their stories live on through former residents and their descendants. This exhibit explores and sheds light on their stories. This event is presented by the Jonesville Reconciliation Group.
Sponsored by the African American Heritage Council/Kentucky Heritage Council, WKU Department of History, WKU African American Studies Program, and WKU Potter College of Arts & Letters Quick Turn-Around Grants
February 15, 2023
ROOTS: The Journey of Black Businesses
5:00 pm-7:00 pm
DSU 2nd floor
Roots: The Journey of Black Businesses is an event where black entrepreneurs can showcase their businesses.
Sponsored by Why Knot Us, Why Knot Us Too, and the WKU chapter of NAACP
February 16, 2023
Throwback Thursday
7:00 pm
DSU Niteclass
Throwback Thursday will feature a throwback lip sync battle, 90s vs. 2000s finish the lyrics, classic sip n paint, throwback trivia, and much more! Refreshments provided.
Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center and the Student Government Association
February 20, 2023
The Soapbox
6:00 pm
DSU 2113
The Soapbox is a very pivotal point in black history. People can come to spread wisdom and awareness and give motivation to the black community. This event will be no different. Our goal in the Black resistance movement is to spread wisdom and empower not only the African American community, but the WKU community at large. The Soapbox will address many topics that help students recognize problems that are going on in our community.
Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center
February 21, 2023
Soul Food Luncheon
11 am-2 pm
Fresh Foods
Join us for our annual soul food luncheon featuring several favorites such as fried chicken and greens! There will also be a chance to win prizes. Meal pass is not provided.
Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center and Aramark Restaurant Group
February 21, 2023
The "N Word" Discussion
6:30 pm
DSU 3005
The “N” word is a popular euphemism today. For some communities it is a term of endearment and for some it can be seen as an insult. Join us for a facilitated discussion on the use of the word.
Sponsored by the Black Student Alliance
February 22, 2023
Walk in your Excellence
7 pm
DSU 2085
An event where students will bring in shoes they would like to redesign or decorate a pair (canvas shoes) provided for them. While decorating their shoes, they will learn about the cultural significance of sneakers and shoes to the black community and how they contributed to Sneaker culture.
Sponsored by Blaq Art Noveau
February 23, 2023
The Black Experience
6:00 pm
DSU Auditorium
The Black Experience will take you through the timeline of Black Americans and expose the generational plight of Black people in America. There will be spoken word, pets, singers, speakers, dancers, actors, and more!
Sponsored by the Epsilon Theta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
February 27, 2023
"Moonlight" Viewing and Discussion
6:00 pm
DSU 2086
QSU and BSA are proud to present the 2017 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture. A movie based on identity and sexuality, a young black man grapples with the struggles of growing up, discovery of universal truths and creating meaningful connections.
Sponsored by the Queer Student Union and Black Student Alliance
March 4, 2023
Multicultural Student Leadership Retreat
11:00 am-5:00 pm
Martens Alumni Center
This is a day retreat open to all WKU students. The 2023 Multicultural Retreat will focus on weaving together the many cultures represented at WKU. Students will be able to share more about their own culture(s) and learn more about other cultures represented on the hill through small group activities and larger focus sessions. Some of the topics will include challenging biases, enjoying cultural presentations from WKU international students, and engaging in cultural dialogues. Participants will receive free meals during the retreat and a T-shirt for participation. All participants should apply in advance. Any questions about the retreat can be directed to amelia.kolb@wku.edu. The application for the Multicultural Retreat can be found here: https://wku.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_26uEcXUrCtuMmcS
Sponsored by Student Activities
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