Black History Month 2023
at Oklahoma State University
Numerous events are scheduled to honor Black History Month at Oklahoma State University. The Office of Multicultural Affairs as well as various student organizations, colleges and campus units will be hosting programs.
Schedule of Events
Below is a list of events, programs and meetings in honor of Black History Month. The University community is encouraged to send programs to be included on this list to D.J. Carter-Rodriguez, Coordinator of African American Affairs or Jillian McGee, Department of Brand Management. The list will be updated as more information is made available.
The College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) will continue OSU's tradition of hosting Nancy Randolph Davis Day Celebration on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Davis, the first African American to enroll at Oklahoma State University (formerly Oklahoma A&M College) in 1949, is a seminal, historic, figure that symbolizes and represents the very best of OSU’s ideals toward equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her life and legacy offer lessons to be learned for our current faculty, staff, and students alike. The objectives of this program will be to celebrate diversity through the life and legacy of Nancy Randolph Davis; engage students, faculty, and staff in nurturing an equitable and inclusive environment; and connect the purposing of this event with larger goals of the Office for Equity & Inclusion in our College. We have invited a panel of faculty and graduate students, across different backgrounds and academic units in CEHS, to engage in critical dialogue on the historical implications of Nancy Randolph Davis’ pioneering efforts for present and future directions for equity-based practices in their respective fields.
Wednesday, Feb. 1-Wednesday, Mar. 1
232 Student Union | Host/Contact: Hargis Leadership Institute
The Tulsa Historical Society and Museum has created a traveling exhibit on the history of the Greenwood Area and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre for the purpose of educating the community. Check out the installation outside of the Hargis Leadership Institute office until March 1st.
Friday, Feb. 3
6 p.m. | Willard Living Room | Host/Contact: OSU Black Student Association
BSA will be kicking off Black History Month with a celebratory party in Willard Living Room. We will be eating, playing games and selling BHM t-shirts. This event will be in collaboration with NSBE, BGSA, NAACP, AKA and NOMA.
Tuesday, Feb. 7
6 p.m. | CLB 101 | Host/Contact: OSU Black Student Association
This BSA event will be in collaboration with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. Join us for Black History themed trivia games such as Kahoot and Bingo Tuesday.
Wednesday, Feb. 8
6 p.m. | Student Union Theater | Host/Contact: OSU Office of Multicultural Affairs
Directed by Ava DuVernay in 2016, the film 13th refers to the 13th amendment of the United States Constitution. It breaks down the amendment’s details and informs audiences that, while the law freed slaves, Black men were still imprisoned in large numbers for minor offenses, or for nothing at all, causing oppression. Experts in the film delve into racism, mass incarceration and the prison-industrial complex throughout the late 1800s, 1900s and present day.
Monday, Feb. 13
1-2 p.m. | Life Science East #112 | Host/Contact: Dr. Toby Nelson/The Center for Africana Studies
Monday, Feb. 13
9 a.m.- 1 p.m. | 2nd Floor Rotunda, Oklahoma State Capitol | Host/Contact: Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus/OSU Office of Multicultural Affairs
This event is designed to acknowledge and showcase the Black-owned businesses and organizations across our great state. The theme for this inaugural event is “Celebrating Black History – A Day at the Capitol” which captures the scope of why we celebrate. Students, faculty, and staff who are interested in attending this event will need to RSVP with D.J. Carter-Rodriguez by Monday, February 6th. OMA will be providing transportation to and from the event for students.
Tuesday, Feb. 14
6 p.m. | CLB 101 | Host/Contact: OSU Black Student Association
Join BSA for a Valentine's Day themed event where we will provide BHM themed arts and crafts that help participants to celebrate their blackness. We will also be hearing about Black self-love from a counselor.
8 p.m. | Gallagher-Iba Arena | Host/Contact: Athletics/Student Athlete Leadership and Development
Join us as we cheer on our men's basketball team and honor the impact of Coach John B. McLendon and the McLendon Foundation.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
6 p.m. | Student Union Ballroom | Host/Contact: OSU Office of Multicultural Affairs
Are you looking to up your interview skills and resume so you can land that big job after graduation? Join OMA for our first ever Resume and Interview workshop! This workshop will feature a panel of experienced professionals who will answer your most important interview questions and give you tips on what to do, and what not to do in an interview. On top of that, there will be a resume critique session where students can bring their resumes so they can receive feedback and tips from some of the best hiring managers and CHRO’s from around our state. So please bring a copy of your Resume or CV. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!
Thursday, Feb. 16-19
K-State | Host/Contact: OSU Office of Multicultural Affairs
The Big XII Council on Black Student Government is a regional Black Student Governing Body which consists of the Black Student Governments from institutions in the Big XII Conference. This body of student leaders assembles each academic year to continue to promote Black culture, leadership, positive self-efficacy, political power and awareness, and goodwill of the student body and Black community on the campus of each member institution. The first conference, in 1978, was hosted by the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO. This year, Kansas State University is the proud host of the 46th annual conference in Manhattan, KS. K-State last hosted the conference back in 2013. OMA is no longer accepting registrants for this event.
Friday, Feb. 17
2-4 p.m. | Student Union Ballroom | Host/Contact: OSU Extension, Langston University and Muscogee Nation
Come join colleagues from Oklahoma's three land-grant universities involved in Coming Together for Racial Understanding (CTRU) as we showcase the food, artistic, and cultural traditions of the Muscogee Nation, African American/Black and Latino communities through a variety of performances and presentations.
Saturday, Feb. 18
8 a.m.-4:45 p.m. | Black Wall Street and Greenwood Rising Museum | Host/Contact: African American Business Student Association (AABSA)/Dr. Lex Smith Washington
All Spears Business students are invited to join the Spears Business AABSA on Saturday, Feb. 18, for a full day of learning in Tulsa. This event will focus on the business of Greenwood and will include a guided walking tour of the Greenwood District/Black Wall Street, the Greenwood Rising museum, guest speakers and more. Free transportation will be provided for Spears students. Plan to leave the Business Building at 8 a.m. and return around 4:45 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 23
5-6:30 p.m. | Starlight Terrace | Host/Contact: Career Services/Ramya Chandrashekar
In celebration of Black History Month, Career Services is hosting a workshop on issues students from the Black diaspora face in their job search. Join us to learn about:
- Internalized racism and ways it could affect your career choice
- Navigating bias and microaggressions in the job search process
- Transforming your life experiences into sustainable progress
- Committing to the process of progress
Saturday, Feb. 25
4 p.m. | Student Union Theater | Host/Contact: OSU Office of Multicultural Affairs
OMA’s annual scholarship pageant that highlights the talents, culture, and intellect of the Black student body at OSU. All are welcomed to attend, see you there!
Tuesday, Feb. 28
6 p.m. | CLB 101 | Host/Contact: OSU Black Student Association
The final BSA Black History Month event will be a virtual Instagram takeover. We ask those who have purchased a My Black Is _____ t-shirt to wear these shirts on this day and some participants will be included in a video that will be featured on @okstatebsa.
TBD
TBD | Host/Contact: Jawauna Harding/OSU Athletics
In 1963, at the height of the civil rights movement, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers broke racial barriers on their way to a national championship. Now, nearly 60 years later, this legendary team is reexamined by Loyola basketball player and co-captain, Lucas Williamson. Woven together with archival footage and modern-day interviews, this captivating story is surprisingly relevant to today's continued struggle for equality. As alumni and friends, you have the opportunity for an advanced glimpse of this film. Together, we can explore how the messages in the film relate to our work today on campus, in our community, and in our own lives.