Celebrate Black History Month at Georgia State
Black History Month (BHM), or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, multiple U.S. presidents have officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Traditionally, the month focuses on the experiences of Black people and leaders in the United States. However, it is important that we create space to honor the legacies, histories and contributions of Black people across the Diaspora.
The university celebrates not only the past accomplishments of Black pioneers, but also recognizes present excellence, and those who continue to blaze an extraordinary trail forward.
The BHM Planning Committee seeks to engage the entire Georgia State community in celebrating Black culture. Understanding that Black is not a monolith, the committee aims to amplify voices throughout the diaspora and showcase diverse identities within Black culture. Below is a listing of events being hosted across campuses and departments, and everyone across the Georgia State community is encouraged to participate.
2024 Events
Art Gallery Reception - Afro Euphoria (Black Joy)
Thursday, Feb. 1, 5 - 6 p.m.
Student Center East - Gallery Lounge
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Enjoy an evening of refreshments, music and art during the Gallery Lounge's Opening Reception for February's exhibit! This month's theme is Afro Euphoria: Black Joy, featuring artwork from Georgia State students and the local Atlanta community. For any artists interested in having their art displayed, you can submit it here.
Culture Café On-The-Go: Black History Month
Monday, Feb. 5, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Student Center East, 1st Floor Lobby
Sponsored by Multicultural Center
Culture Café is designed to highlight culture and heritage while providing students support services by promoting resources and events provided by the MC office and other campus partners.
Hot Wings, Hot Topics
Monday, Feb. 5, 4 - 5:15 p.m.
Student Center East, 205
Sponsored by Black Student Achievement
A bi-weekly discussion for students, faculty and staff to engage in hot topic conversations! In celebration of Black History Month, we will center contemporary themes and issues within the diaspora while simultaneously reflecting on the accomplishments of pivotal Black figures.
Student vs. Staff Basketball Game
Monday, Feb. 5, 6 - 8 p.m.
Student Recreation Center
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Lace up for the showdown of the semester at the Student vs. Staff Basketball Game! Sign up to play and show off your skills on the court or come out and cheer on your classmates. Whether you're a student or faculty/staff member, it's time to dribble, dunk and celebrate the spirit of unity through the love of the game.
Friday at Cinéfest
Monday, Feb. 5 - Wednesday, Feb. 7
Showtimes: 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Student Center West, Second Floor
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Craig Jones and Smokey are coming to Georgia State! Don't miss out on a showing of the 1995 classic movie, Friday. Admission is free for students (supported by your student fees), $3 for faculty & staff and $5 for guests. Seating is first-come, first-served. The movie theater lobby opens 10 minutes prior to the scheduled screening.
Your Crown, Our Story: A Convo on The Art Form of Black Hair
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 5 - 8 p.m.
Student Center East Ballroom
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
All are invited to this panel discussion dedicated to serving the needs of Black hair! Panel speakers will explore every aspect of hair textures, curls and lengths; from dermatological to cosmetic and everything in between. Featured guest(s) are from the set of The Color Purple, P-Valley, American Soul and Respect.
Black Business Expo
Thursday, Feb. 8, Noon - 4 p.m.
Student Center East Ballroom
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Discover excellence at the Black Business Expo! Join us for a showcase of diverse Black-owned and Black-represented businesses, united under one roof. Come explore the rich cultural experience of a Black History Museum and empower your community by supporting Black entrepreneurs. Be one of the first 300 students to attend and receive exciting giveaway bags.
35th Annual Benjamin E. Mays Lecture
Thursday, Feb. 8, 5 - 6 p.m.
Virtual
Sponsored by the College of Education & Human Development
Ruha Benjamin, Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University, will deliver the 35th annual Benjamin E. Mays Lecture, “Beyond Buzzwords: Innovation, Inequality and Imagination in the 21st Century.”
Benjamin E. Mays was a minister, educator, sociologist, social activist and president of Morehouse College in Atlanta from 1940 to 1967. The annual Mays Lecture encourages the discussion of issues facing urban educational leaders, honors the memory of Mays, and promotes his philosophy of excellence in the education of those typically least well served by the larger society.
Black Card Revoked
Thursday, Feb. 8, 5 - 7 p.m.
Student Center East, 205
Sponsored by Black Student Achievement
Join BSA for an evening of fun as we play all your favorite games and test your knowledge of the culture! No matter your competition level, hop on the spades table, debate Uno rules, slam a domino or two, and most importantly, have fun!
Block Party
Friday, Feb. 9, 7 - 11 p.m.
Unity Plaza, Student Center East
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Don't miss out on the ultimate Block Party this Friday! Join Spotlight Programs Board for a night of good food, good vibes and good music; all while supporting black-owned businesses along the way.
The Photograph at Cinéfest
Monday, Feb. 12 - Wednesday, Feb. 14
Showtimes: 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Student Center West, Second Floor
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Don't miss out on a showing of the 2020 drama, The Photograph. Admission is free for students (supported by your student fees), $3 for faculty & staff and $5 for guests. Seating is first-come, first-served. The movie theater lobby opens 10 minutes prior to the scheduled screening.
Songs of Resilience - A Celebration of Black Composers
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m.
Florence Kopleff Recital Hall, 15 Gilmer St. SE
Sponsored by the School of Music
Curated by students Jeremiah Brown and Caitlin Rinck, this concert, performed by School of Music students and friends, is a tribute to the rich contributions of Black musicians. Explore the powerful melodies and diverse talents on display in Kopleff Recital Hall and help us celebrate the legacy of Black musicians in a musical journey that embraces the beauty of their work.
Black History Month Trivia
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m.
Centennial Hall, Room 120, 100 Auburn Ave. NE
Sponsored by the Student Alumni Association
SAA is partnering with over 10 Georgia State University RSOs, Fraternities, and Sororities to face off in a gameshow-style trivia game. Teams will answer questions about black culture, history, and important figures alongside teams from their respective organizations and students from GSU's student body. Door prizes, trivia rewards, and food will be available for all students watching and playing in the trivia game.
Black Men's Dialogue
Thursday, Feb. 15, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Student Center East, 205
Sponsored by: Black Student Achievement and the Counseling Center
All are invited to participate in these monthly discussions around issues affecting Black men. This includes the intersection of race, gender, masculinity, sexuality, culture, economics and other identities. In collaboration with the Georgia State Counseling Center.
Mario A.J. Bennekin Black History Symposium
Monday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. - Noon
Dunwoody Campus Auditorium
Sponsored by Perimeter College
The fourth annual Mario A.J. Bennekin Black History Symposium at Georgia State University’s Perimeter College is scheduled for Feb. 19-23, 2024, with a keynote address on Monday, Feb. 19. on the college’s Dunwoody Campus auditorium at 2101 Womack Rd.
The symposium theme is The Challenges and Triumphs of the Black Working Class in America.
Dr. Daniel Black, award-winning novelist and professor of African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University, will serve as the keynote speaker.
Hot Wings, Hot Topics
Monday, Feb. 19, 4 - 5:15 p.m.
Student Center East, 205
Sponsored by Black Student Achievement
A bi-weekly discussion for students, faculty and staff to engage in hot topic conversations! In celebration of Black History Month, we will center contemporary themes and issues within the diaspora while simultaneously reflecting on the accomplishments of pivotal Black figures.
The Blackening at Cinéfest
Monday, Feb. 19 - Wednesday, Feb. 21
Showtimes: 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Student Center West, Second Floor
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Don't miss out on a showing of the 2022 American comedy, The Blackening. Admission is free for students (supported by your student fees), $3 for faculty & staff and $5 for guests. Seating is first-come, first-served. The movie theater lobby opens 10 minutes prior to the scheduled screening.
Black Women's Dialogue
Thursday, Feb. 22, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
Student Center East, 205
Sponsored by: Black Student Achievement and the Counseling Center
All are invited to participate in these monthly discussions around issues affecting Black women. This includes the intersection of race, gender, femininity, sexuality, culture, economics and other identities. In collaboration with the Georgia State Counseling Center.
Get Out at Cinéfest
Monday, Feb. 26
Showtimes: 3 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Student Center West, Second Floor
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Don't miss out on a showing of the 2017 psychological horror, Get Out. Admission is free for students (supported by your student fees), $3 for faculty & staff and $5 for guests. Seating is first-come, first-served. The movie theater lobby opens 10 minutes prior to the scheduled screening.
Black People's Dialogue
Monday, Feb. 26, 5 - 7 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall inside Dahlberg Hall
Sponsored by: Black Student Achievement and the Counseling Center
Black People's Dialogue is an annual discussion during Black History Month centering the issues affecting our community. This year we will engage in an interactive discussion centering the question of "What is Black Love?". This conversation will be inclusive of ALL forms of Black relationships.
Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora Global Read-a-Thon 2024, The Greatest of All Time (The GOAT)
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Virtual Event (broadcast from CMII), link to be posted on the CSAD website (https://csad.gsu.edu/)
Sponsored by the Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora
To commemorate the greatness of Black History Month, Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora (CSAD) unites Atlanta, The Gambia, Germany, and Colombia in an extraordinary celebration of literature from Africa and the African diaspora. Join us for an epic virtual event, streaming live from 10 AM to 4 PM at our Atlanta Campus, presented by the illustrious former CNN Anchor and White House Correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, and featuring Kiese Laymon, award-winning author of Heavy: An American Memoir. Let us come together to honor the greatest of all time in this literary showcase.
Us at Cinéfest
Tuesday, Feb. 27
Showtimes: 3 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
Student Center West, Second Floor
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Don't miss out on a showing of the 2019 thriller, Us. Admission is free for students (supported by your student fees), $3 for faculty & staff and $5 for guests. Seating is first-come, first-served. The movie theater lobby opens 10 minutes prior to the scheduled screening.
NOPE at Cinéfest
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Showtimes: 3 p.m., 5:39 p.m., 8 p.m.
Student Center West, Second Floor
Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board
Don't miss out on a showing of the 2022 horror/sci-fi masterpiece, NOPE. Admission is free for students (supported by your student fees), $3 for faculty & staff and $5 for guests. Seating is first-come, first-served. The movie theater lobby opens 10 minutes prior to the scheduled screening.
Black Mental Health Matters
Thursday, Feb. 29, Noon - 2 p.m.
Student Center East, Senate Salon
Sponsored by: Black Student Achievement and the Counseling Center
Join the Counseling Center & Black Student Achievement as we explore common mental health concerns that impact the African American community and how to de-stigmatize mental health. Take a Mindwise Mental Health screen, enjoy a snack and learn about resources to assist yourself or someone you know.