Black History Month
Celebrate Black History Month with PNW! Together, let’s honor the profound impact of Black history, achievements and culture.
Black History Month is a time where you should come together to celebrate and reflect on the African Americans that have played a significant role in the history and cultures of Amerrica and other countries.
Upcoming Events
Questions? Contact Darien Thompson.
Paint & Sip with a Twist
February 12
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Griffin Hall 334
Are you ready to get creative while enjoying beverages? Join the Cultural Heritage Celebration Committee and the Unity Hub for an event of relaxation.
Community Connections Series: Growing Together
February 18
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Alumni Hall (SULB 360)
Join us for the Community Connections Series: Growing Together, hosted by the PNW Counseling Center.
In this interactive session, you’ll create your own “tree” to reflect on who you are and who supports you, then come together to build a forest, exploring themes of interdependency, community, and mutual aid.
February 19
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Mane Zone (CLO 119)
Are you ready to showcase your musical skills? Show off your talent at our Black History Month Open Mic Night!
February 20
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
CLO 151
Join us and the National Society for Black Engineers (NSBE) in the greatest cultural test.
Compete in teams as we quiz you on important moments, figures, and milestones in Black history—don’t miss out on the chance to learn and win prizes!
Nail Shop Talk
February 26
Time TBA
CLO 190
Pamper yourself and get ready for our Toast to Black Excellence at our Nail Shop Talk! Enjoy a relaxing manicure while having fulfilling discussions.
Toast to Black Excellence
February 28
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Wicker Park Auditorium, Highland
This event is invitation only.
Join us for the grand finale of Black History Month at our Toast to Black Excellence!
This celebration will honor the incredible achievements of Black individuals, featuring a night of inspiration, reflection and community as we toast to the lasting impact of Black excellence.
To request a disability-related accommodation, please contact the Office of Institutional Equity at oie@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2163 five days prior to the event.
PNW Basketball vs Saginaw Valley State
February 1
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
FRC Gym
Come out and support your team as we take on Saginaw Valley State University in an exciting basketball showdown! Let’s pack the stands, cheer on our players and show our school spirit—don’t miss out on the action!
Black History Month Kick-Off (Hammond)
February 3
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Mane Zone (CLO 119)
Join the Cultural Heritage Celebration Committee and the Unity Hub to kick off the beginning of Black History Month.
Black History Month Kick-Off (Westville)
February 5
Noon to 2 p.m.
Library-Student-Faculty Building
Join the Cultural Heritage Celebration Committee and the Unity Hub to kick off the beginning of Black History Month.
The Unity Hub Experience
February 6
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CLO 153
Join the Unity Hub at their Unity Experience Open House! This is your chance to connect with campus resources, meet new people, and discover how we’re building a stronger, more inclusive community.
Word on the Mane Street – Black History Month and Its Importance
February 6
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Multicultural Lounge (CLO 151)
Join us for a dynamic discussion exploring the origins, significance and continued importance of Black History Month.
Financial Wellness: Budgeting Basics
February 11
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
CLO 153
Take control of your financial future at Financial Wellness: Budgeting Basics! This informative session will cover essential budgeting strategies to help you manage your money, save for the future and build a solid foundation for financial success.
Connecting College, Real Estate and Entrepreneurship with Coldwell Bank
February 11
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
ANDR 311
Gain valuable insights from a successful industry professional on how to leverage your college experience to build a career in real estate and entrepreneurship.
The Power of Perception: Dissecting Colorism
February 11
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
CLO 151
Join us for The Power of Perception: Dissecting Colorism, hosted by the NAACP, as they explore the complexities of colorism within our communities.
Past Black History Month Highlights
The PNW community kicked off Black History Month with food, music and free t-shirts!
Celebrating the start of the Black History Month celebrations at PNW with music, fellowship and food!
PNW alumna Dakita L. Jones, Assistant Vice President and Community Relations Manager for Centier Bank, provided us with a presentation titled "Wealth is Health - Financial Literacy".
Students were able to learn about different ways to manage their money and plan for their future through the "Wealth is Health" presentation.
The Nia Bowl was a great chance for students to feed their minds (and their stomachs) with Black Culture Trivia!
Friendly competition took full effect as students tested their knowledge during the Nia Bowl.
To me, Black History Month means the recognition of how far we've come as a community because it's very rewarding being part of this community.
About Black History Month
Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, honors the achievements, rich culture and history of African Americans and recognizes the important contributions and of Black individuals in society.
The current month-long observance began in 1926 as a week-long event sponsored by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). During the 1960s, the week-long observance grew into a month-long celebration on many college campuses. Since 1976, the month of February has been officially designated as Black History Month.
Black History Month is really significant especially when it comes to celebrating African American culture. We are able to look back at the past and see all the things that have influenced and impacted us today.
Black History Month Online Resources
The Story Behind Black History Month (NPR)
“Crash Course in Black American History”
The Youtube series by journalist Clint Smith, author of “How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America.”
Roundtable Perspective Episode 419: Understanding Art Therapy
Leah R. Gipson, LCPC, ATR-BC, Assistant Professor of Art Therapy and Counseling at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago joins host Thomas J. Roach, Ph.D., to discuss the practice of using art as a means of therapy and how art therapy can be used as a way to advocate for social justice and can empower a multitude of people. Leah Gipson is currently working with art therapy to help many young black women find their voices.
Roundtable Perspective Episode 428: Black Horror Noire
From Oct 8, 2021: Robin R. Means Coleman, Ph.D., Professor of Communication at Northwestern University joins host Thomas J. Roach, Ph.D., to discuss the black horror renaissance in film and the untold history of Black Americans through their connection to the horror film genre and how that has changed over time.