Jayson Massey
February 7, 2024
There are plenty of events at CCP and around town this February.
Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D while attending a lecture in Harvard, “was told by one of his white professors that Africans and African Americans ‘had no history.’” The resulting anger motivated him to study and popularize Black studies, becoming known as the “father of Black history.” Ninety-eight years ago, this work birthed the first celebrated Negro History Week. In 1976, it became Black History Month.
CCP’s Student Life Center has a full calendar of Black History Month events, starting February 1 with the Black History Month Kickoff festivities. Other events of note include a Black History Luncheon with a Black Studies panel discussion on February 14. February 20 offers three great activities: Hip Hop: Still Standing! Commemorating Hip Hop’s 50+ Years, a Black History Month Fireside Chat with College president Dr. Generals, and a brunch with Black History Month trivia prizes up for grabs.
Month-long events include several exhibits in the Mint Building Rotunda: a Black History Month Art Exhibit featuring student artworks, The 1619 Project curated by Art Department Alumni, the Office of Student Engagement and the Center for Student Leadership Development. There is a Virtual Reading Resource Room curated by Professor James Small, while the CCP library has curated a collection of Black authors and stories. Also, Saxby’s is offering a Black History Month sticker on each cup of coffee this month. Find all the events on the Student Life Center page.
Other places near CCP Main Campus with uplifting Black History Month events include the Free Library of Philadelphia Parkway Central Library. Those events can be found at The Free Library website. Another nearby location for great Black History Month activities is the Philadelphia Museum of Art, starting on February 2 with a panel discussion about navigating the art world as Black artists. Also, February features events on storytelling, quilting, guided tours, photo booths, pop-up exhibits and jewelry shops. The African American Museum in Philadelphia is hosting a slate of Black History Month events around the theme of African Americans and the Arts. There are discussions, workshops and film screenings around the influence and history of African Americans. Find out more at African American Museum in Philadelphia website.
Also, The Franklin Institute is having a Black History Month Day of Celebration on Saturday, February 3 including Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts, traditional West African and Afro-Cuban dances and live science demonstrations. One handy resource for finding Black History Month events is VisitPhilly. See their list of select Black History Month proceedings at their website.
