Black History Month

February

History

National Black History Month has its origins in 1915, when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Through this organization, Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in the history of Black Americans. In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Week urging all Americans to "recognize the important contribution made to our nation's life and culture by black citizens." In 1976, ASALH expanded this commemoration of Black history in the United States from a week-long observance to Black History Month, which also has been known as African American History Month. In the same year, President Ford issued a Message on the Observance of Black History Month. In subsequent years, presidents continued to issue messages honoring Black History Month. 

Reference: Library of Congress

2024

STCC is proud to offer a number of thought-provoking events to honor our Black brothers and sisters and the contributions the Black community has made to our society.

Events at STCC

"Reclaiming Our Heritage" Art Exhibit

February 5 - February 29
Fine Arts Building (B28), Amy H. Carberry Gallery

The Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery at Springfield Technical Community College proudly presents “Reclaiming Our Heritage,” a selection of 2D and 3D artwork, art projects, video, and text by students from Springfield’s Honors Academy and the Conservatory of the Arts, which investigates issues of race and identity. The exhibit is on view from Monday, February 5 through Thursday, February 29, 2024. A public reception will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 11 am to 1 pm. (snow date, Sun., Feb 18) Light refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome.

Diversity Speaker Series Presents Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz

February 29, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Scibelli Hall (B2), Auditorium
Register for This Event

In celebration of Black History Month, join us for an inspiring event featuring renowned speaker Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz. Dr. Shabazz, an esteemed educator, author, and activist, will share her profound insights and experiences rooted in the rich legacy of African American history and culture. 

Prepare to be enlightened and empowered as Dr. Shabazz illuminates the significance of Black history and its enduring impact on society. This event promises to be a compelling journey through the triumphs and challenges of the African American experience, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding and appreciation of our shared heritage.

Resources

Presidential Proclamation

On January 31, 2023, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. gave a proclamation on National Black History Month, 2023.

Read the Proclamation

Why Black History Month Matters

African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms, and police killings since our arrival upon these shores. These efforts have been to advocate for a dignified self-determined life in a just democratic society in the United States and beyond the United States political jurisdiction. The 1950s and 1970s in the United States were defined by actions such as sit-ins, boycotts, walkouts, and strikes by Black people and white allies in the fight for justice against discrimination in all sectors of society from employment to education to housing. Black people have had to consistently push the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all.  To learn more about the Black Resistance theme for Black History Month 2023, see the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) website.

Google Arts & Culture Recognizes the Father of Black History Month

This online exhibit entitled “The Genesis of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s National Black History Week explores the origins of Black History Month with former Smithsonian Fellow Kimberly D. Brown.

Past Years

“Get into Good Trouble: Read a Banned Book”

February 1-February 27
Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons (B19), Second Floor

The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the STCC Library invite everyone to read a banned book by an African American author this February in honor of Black History Month. You can also stop by the library and check out the Periodic Table of Banned Books which will highlight African American authors, trailblazers, and pioneers.

"I Just Wanna Surf", Exhibit by Gabriella Angotti-Jones

February 1 - 28, 2023
Gallery Hours
Fine Arts Building (B28), Amy H. Carberry Gallery,

The Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery at Springfield Technical Community College presents the never-before-seen exhibition “I Just Wanna Surf” by California photographer Gabriella Angotti-Jones throughout February 2023, in celebration of Black History Month. More details and images can be found on the Amy H. Carberry Gallery Exhibitions page.

Black Resistance Movies That Matter: The Woman King

Monday, February 6
12:15 p.m.
Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons (B19), Forum

Please join us for a showing of the film "The Woman King" as a part of the Movies That Matter Series. Movies that Matter is a movie series presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs with the purpose to show movies that have impacted our culture or are about people, events, or ideas that have changed history. All are welcome!

Brilliant Button Making: Black History Month Edition

Wednesday, February 8
12:15 -1:30 p.m.
Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons (B19), Library

The Office of Multicultural Affairs in collaboration with the STCC Library will be making buttons in honor of Black History Month. Come to the library and learn more about this month’s national theme of “Black Resistance” and have some fun making brilliantly creative signature buttons.

Black Resistance Movies That Matter: Black Panther

Monday, February 13
12:15 p.m.
Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons (B19), Forum

Please join us for a showing of the film "Black Panther" as a part of the Movies That Matter Series. Movies that Matter is a movie series presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs with the purpose to show movies that have impacted our culture or are about people, events, or ideas that have changed history. All are welcome!

Black Resistance Movies That Matter: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Monday, February 27
12:15 p.m.
Ira H. Rubenzahl Student Learning Commons (B19), Forum

Please join us for a showing of the film "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" as a part of the Movies That Matter Series. Movies that Matter is a movie series presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs with the purpose to show movies that have impacted our culture or are about people, events, or ideas that have changed history. All are welcome!

Carberry Conversations: Artist Kiayani Douglas

Springfield Technical Community College kicked off Black History Month celebration in February with a “Carberry Conversations” event featuring visual artist and educator Kiayani Douglas. Douglas on Feb. 7 spoke via Zoom with Sondra Peron, associate professor and coordinator for the Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery.

Peron asked Douglas about her work, which includes “Fallacies of a Black Identity Enthusiast.” Douglas was the artist-in-residence at STCC in February 2020. She developed an interdisciplinary body of work called Black Identity Enthusiast, which is geared toward curating conversations rooted in race history and privilege.

Watch the Kiayanni Douglas Carberry Conversation on STCC's YouTube Channel

Beyond Myths, Memes and Soundbites: An Examination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a Historical Agent For Social Change

The STCC Office of Multicultural Affairs on Monday, Feb. 14, 12:15 p.m. presented “Beyond Myths, Memes and Soundbites: An Examination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a Historical Agent For Social Change.”

This event is a part of a new series created by the Office of Multicultural Affairs to celebrate Dr. King's commitment to racial justice and the civil rights movement. Keynote speaker Dr. J. Anthony Guillory is a historian, scholar, lecturer, and adjunct faculty at STCC. 

Watch Dr. Guillory's presentation on STCC's YouTube Channel

Interrupting Oppression in Everyday Situations

The STCC Office of Multicultural Affairs, in partnership with the college’s Anti-Racism and Inclusion Alliance, on Feb. 17 at 3 p.m. hosted an interactive workshop for faculty and staff titled “Interrupting Oppression in Everyday Situations.” The award-winning University of Oregon graduate student theater troupe "Rehearsals for Life" offered a lively and interactive session about how to facilitate conversations that emerge everyday around issues of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, and disability.

Carberry Conversations: Painter Andrae Green

“Carberry Conversations,” presented by STCC’s Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery, continues on Feb. 25 at 12:15 p.m. with a virtual conversation between associate professor and gallery coordinator Sondra Peron and painter Andrae Green of Springfield.

Peron and Green will discuss his work as a painter. According to his website, Green’s work explores the nuances of the collective consciousness that has been shaped by time, mythology, and memory.

Celebrating Black History Month with Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.

The New York Times Bestselling Author & Chair of Princeton University’s Department of African American Studies spoke about a wide look at black communities, the difficulties of race in the United States, and the challenges our democracy faces. Part of the Diversity Speaker & Performance Series at STCC.

  • Feb. 17 at 12:15 p.m.
  • Free and Open to All

The Civil Rights Amendments and the Civil Rights Act of 1964

STCC faculty J. Anthony Guillory and John Diffley discuss the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Culture Clashes in Western Mass

STCC alumnus Zul Manzi ’18 discusses his animated series (based on his Tanzanian family's experience), The Matumbilas, streaming on KweliTV.

Student Activities

“Finding Inspiration” Essay Contest

Describe an African-American public figure, a famous person, or someone in your life who has inspired you. Essays will be judged based on content, originality, and organization. The winning essays receive prizes. Questions? Please contact tarpey@stcc.edu.

  • Entries due Feb. 22
  • Open to STCC Students

Also Happening This February

Hearts and Minds: A Dialogue on Education

How do you define education? Is it in the classroom, the community, or beyond? This session focuses on how race, class, and gender shape the experiences of men of color in education both inside and outside of the classroom. Join campus and community panelists as they share how they have overcome barriers and the impact that educational experiences have had on their lives, self-worth, and relationships.
Part of the Heart of a Man Series at STCC.

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