Black History Month celebrated at Fresno State

Fresno State will celebrate Black History Month in February with a variety of scheduled events for students, faculty, staff and the general public.

Public events include:

Feb. 3-25: “African Americans and Labor” art exhibition, highlighting the complex and transformational histories of skilled and unskilled labor in America, Africa and the diaspora. Presented by the Department of Art, Design and Art History and featuring the works of students, alumni, faculty and local artists, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays in the Dean’s Gallery (Music building, Room 186). Contact: Vanessa Addison-Williams, vaddisonwilliams@csufresno.edu.

Feb. 6: Dr. Chelsea Frazier “Black Feminist Ecology: Making and Mapping,” presented by the Africana Studies Program, at 2:30 p.m. in the Fresno State Library Ellipse Gallery, second floor. Contact: Dr. Nkenna Onwuzuruoha, nonwuzuruoha@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 6: Art Hop, Down with the Clique: Honoring Black Artists in the Central Valley and Beyond, sponsored by the Africana Studies Program, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Scarab Creative Arts (729 E. Divisadero) in downtown Fresno. Down with the Clique Instagram account.

Feb. 7, 14, 21 and 28: Red Beans and Jazz, presented by Fresno State Radio, KFSR 90.7 FM. Enjoy a weekly presentation of the history of jazz and other music genres through songs and commentary as they paralleled significant events in the African American experience. Program can be heard Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon on 90.7 FM, KFSR.org, Tune-In Radio app (go to Fresno State), or say “Alexa, turn on Fresno State Radio 90.7.”

Feb. 11: Queer Talk conversation and craft event, led by BlaQueer Fresno’s founder and executive director, Stanley Beltran-Johnson, and board member Varselles Cummings, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Fresno State Library, Room  2206. This talk honors BlaQueer ancestors of the Harlem Renaissance, like Countee Cullen and Gladys Bentley. Contact: Felix Vargas, felixvargas@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 12: “Labor of Love, An African American Read-In,” presented by Africana Studies, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fresno State Library Ellipse Gallery, second floor. Sign up here to read. Light refreshments served. Contact: Dr. Nkenna Onwuzuruoha, nonwuzuruoha@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 13:  Tracey Dunne’s Side Hustle Jams, hosted by the Africana Studies Program, 2:30 p.m. Enjoy a tasty jam tasting in the Fresno State Library Ellipse Gallery, second floor. Contact: Dr. Nkenna Onwuzuruoha, nonwuzuruoha@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 14: Douglass Day. The Department of English will host a transcribe-a-thon using materials from the Library of Congress and a national livestream with music, readings and discussion from 3 to 6 p.m. at Peters Building (Room 101). Bring a computer. Contact: Dr. Sean Gordon, seangordon@csufresno.edu.

Feb 14: Walk in Peace concert with Fresno State and Fresno City College choirs. This annual event celebrates the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month. 7:30 p.m. in the Fresno State Music Building, Concert Hall. Contact: Dr. Cari Earnhart, cearnhart@csufresno.edu. 

Feb 18: Black History Month film: “From Swastika to Jim Crow,” with commentary by Dr. Malik Simba, presented by the Jewish Studies Program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fresno State Library (Room 3212). Contact: Dr. Jill Fields, jfields@csufresno.edu. 

Feb. 20: “Amplify Your Heart – A Black History Month Open Mic,” 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Fresno State Library Ellipse Gallery, second floor. The event includes refreshments, social hour and a free raffle. RSVP here. Contact: Dr. Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.

Feb. 22: Richard “Dick” Keyes Sr. Leadership in Education Forum, presented by the United Negro College Fund-Fresno, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Fresno State Library Ellipse Gallery, second floor. Email bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu for additional information.

Feb. 25: Culture and Community: Afro Latinx Experiences, presented by Black Student Success Initiative and the Cross Cultural and Gender Center at noon in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center. Contact: Seven Nicole or Cynthia Villalobos, bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu, cynthiavillalobos@mail.fresnostate.edu. 

Feb. 26: Hair Love, presented by the Black Student Success Initiative, 5 p.m. at the Graves Hall  recreational room. Celebrate the love and diversity of hair, including natural, protective styles, locs and much more. RSVP here.

Feb. 28: The State of the Black Bulldog, presented by the Cross Cultural and Gender Center, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The State of the Black Bulldog aims to unite Black students, faculty, staff and alumni to address the unique challenges affecting retention, sense of belonging and persistence at Fresno State. This event provides a platform to discuss current statistics, concerns and initiatives, while identifying collaborative, solution-focused strategies to enhance support and build a stronger, more inclusive community. It is a space for open dialogue, accountability and mutual empowerment, creating a collective vision for the future of Black excellence on campus. Contact: ccgcafam@mail.fresnostate.edu.