Black History Month Events Upcoming

The University of Scranton Cultural Centers, in collaboration with the Weinberg Memorial Library, the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union and the Black Scranton Project, will host several programs highlighting Black culture for the campus and larger community.

This year's theme: “African American and the Arts,” focuses on African Americans contributions to the world of art in various forms and definitions, and through numerous artistic and cultural movements.

"In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory, as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans." - Association for the Study of African American Life and History 2024 Statement on the Theme of Black History Month

 Programs are free and open to the public.

• Black History Month Film Series. Each begins at 7:30 p.m., in the 4th Floor DeNaples Campus Center, Moskovitz Theater. Sponsored by the Weinberg Memorial Library.
  

  • "Judas and the Black Messiah," Wednesday, Feb. 7

  • "The Hate U Give," Wednesday, Feb. 14

  • "Cooley High," Wednesday, Feb. 28

• BSU Freedom Fest, Saturday, Feb. 17 from 8 p.m -10 p.m., DeNaples Center, Ballroom 407. The event serves as an open compass to educate the student body and Scranton community about Black History and Black Culture. It will promote community connections with local black owned businesses. Sponsored by the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union.

• Black Women in Music, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m , Brennan Hall, Rose Room 509. The Cultural Centers will host a presentation and conversation with Maureen Mahon, Associate Professor of Music at New York University about her book "Black Diamond Queens". Black Diamond Queens "draws on recordings, press coverage, archival materials, and interviews to document the history of African American Women in rock and roll between the 1950s and 1980s. Mahon details the musical contributions and cultural impact of Big Mama Thornton, Lavern Baker, Betty Davis, Tina Turner, Merry Clayton, Labelle, the Shirelles, and others demonstrating how dominant views of gender, race, sexuality, and genre affected their careers." Sponsored by the Cultural Centers.

• Black Voices: Scranton Stories Screening & Talk Back, Wednesday, Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m., Black Scranton Project Center for Arts and Culture. Transportation and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP/info at http://www.scranton.edu/scrantonstory. Co-sponsored by The Black Scranton Project and The University of Scranton

• Dialogue Series on Race, Racism, Identity and Privilege: "Black Arts Movements: Afrofuturism“ Tuesday, Feb. 27, 8 p.m , Multicultural Center, 1st Floor DeNaples Center. Sponsored by the Cultural Centers.

• Black History Month Trivia Night, Thursday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m , Brennan Hall, Rose Room 509. Sponsored by the Louis Stanley Brown Black Student Union.