10 Events to Celebrate Black History Month at Binghamton

By Kim Mousseau

Posted on January 31, 2024

“Black history is our history.”

February is Black History Month, and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is celebrating with educational, timely and FUN events throughout the month. All events are free and open to the entire campus community (except where noted). Learn more about the contributions and legacy of Black Americans and how this relates to current issues in our society or meet and mingle with other community members.

Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) Hangout Kickoff

An image of students relaxing in the Q Center Lounge

Join us from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, in the Q Center Lounge to kick off this brand-new affinity space for QTBIPOC students, faculty and staff to gather, coalition-build, and discuss campus life and lived experiences related to the intersections of their identities.

Location: Q Center, LS-G549

Fashion with Flavor Fridays

Stop by the Q Center for Fashion with Flavor Fridays- the Black History Month edition. Beginning at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, we’ll be hosting a movie watch party of Rustin, which tells the story of Bayard Rustin, an unsung hero of the Civil Rights movement who helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. We’ll have food and an after-movie discussion.

Location: Q Center, LS-G549

Queer-ies: Black Queer History Jeopardy

A layered image with a Black man speaking to a crown and the words

From 4 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, we’ll be in the Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) Lounge for a friendly game of Jeopardy highlighting well-known and little-known facts about queer black history. Co-sponsored by the Q Center, the MRC and UDiversity.

Location: Multicultural Resource Center lounge, LS-G500

Racial Healing Workshop

An image of staff and students interacting in the MRC Lounge.

Students, please join us from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the MRC Lounge for this student-focused workshop in honor of Black History Month. Sponsored by UDiversity, this workshop will create a supportive and safe space where participants can engage in open, honest conversations about their experiences related to race and race relations to understand themselves and others. The goal is to heal collectively as a community in a trauma-informed setting.

Location: Multicultural Resource Center lounge, LS-G500

Fashion with Flavor Fridays

An image of a young Black woman holding a sign.

Fashion with Flavor Fridays continues its celebration of Black History Month with a BHM-themed Family Feud led by our Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Educators. Join us for this fun and interactive event from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.

Location: Q Center, LS-G549

Culture Chat: Open Art Night

A young Black man looks at vivid abstract art.

The MRC hosts “Culture Chat” each month in the lounge; this month’s theme is Black History Month. Stop by 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, for an art show featuring Black artists. All kinds of art will be represented, including music, poetry, short stories, spoken word, drawings, paintings and sculptures.

Location: Multicultural Resource Center lounge, LS-G500

“Knowing our Roots”

A layered black-and-white image of a Black Family in front of their car.

Join us Thursday, Feb. 22, for a discussion about the origins of the inhabitants of the African diaspora. This is a collaboration of the Black Student Union (BSU), Africana Studies and African Student Organization.

Location and time: TBD

Culture Chat: BHM Podcast

A layered image of a Black female musician and a podcast set up.

Did you know that the MRC has a monthly podcast? Cecil Hopkins, MRC coordinator, and graduate assistant Izzie DeJesus take the mic each month for a podcast honoring a heritage month or affinity celebration. This month’s podcast will feature Jade Doswell, UDiversity educational coordinator, on the topic of hip hop. We’ll talk about the history of hip hop and its recent 50th anniversary, but more specifically, the role of Black women in hip hop and how that has evolved over the last five decades.

Release date: TBD

Cultural Night Dining

An image of students in Hinman Dining Hall.

On Monday, Feb. 26, Binghamton University Dining Services will offer a menu curated to honor Black History Month in collaboration with the MRC and the BSU.

Menu and details: TBD

BHM Rap “Battle”

A layered image of a Black female Hip Hop artist and a Black male Hip Hop artist.

Join the MRC and Genius Potential at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, to celebrate Black History through Hip Hop. This interactive workshop includes three skits/emcee battles representing differing views of notable African American men and women, played out as a rap “battle.” At the end of each battle, facilitators will analyze the historical backstories behind the compelling lyrics and engage participants in interactive trivia and dialogue. This event looks backward to look forward to the destiny of future African American leaders.

Location: TBD

Stay tuned for updates

Planning is still underway for some of the events listed. For more information on times, locations, and other updates, contact Cecil Hopkins, MRC program coordinator, or Richie Sebuharara, MRC assistant director. For Q Center-specific events, contact Nick Martin, associate director, Q Center.

Have questions, comments or concerns about the blog? Email us at social@binghamton.edu.