Black History Month events explore passion and purpose

Clark University will celebrate Black History Month 2024 with special programs throughout February, from pop-up markets and speakers to alumni discussions and a special Caribbean wedding event.

Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) selects a theme for the month. The 2024 theme is “African Americans and the Arts.”

“In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount,” the ASALH website states. “African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment.”

To honor the many impacts Black Americans have had on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more, members of the Clark community are invited to participate in the University’s campuswide celebration, “Exploring Passion and Purpose: Cultivating Our Craft.” Programs will be led by both University offices and student groups, including the Black Student Union, Student Alumni Relations Committee, and Caribbean African Students Association.

Events will include:

• Black Arts Explosion (February 3, sponsored by the Black Student Union and the Center for Community Engagement and Volunteering)
• “PLAYED: How Music Orchestrates Thick Violence Against Black Girls on the Internet,” a lecture by Dr. Kyra Gaunt (February 7, sponsored by the Higgins School of Humanities and the Office of the Provost)
• Alumni and Friends Virtual Book Club: “Kindred,” by Olivia Butler (February 8, sponsored by Goddard Library, Alumni and Friends Engagement, and the Clark University Black Alumni Association)
• “The Oppressed Head: A Historical Review of the Beauty and Identity of Black Women’s Hair and Headdress,” a lecture by Dr. Tameka Ellington (February 13, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion)
• CEV Speaker Series: Claudio Eshun, aka Don Claude (February 14, sponsored by the Center for Community Engagement and Volunteering and Office of Diversity and Inclusion)
• Black Pop-Up Market (February 21 and 28, sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and School of Professional Studies)
• Panel on Passion and Purpose, featuring Clark alumni (February 23, sponsored by the Black Student Union, Student Alumni Relations Committee, and Office of Identity, Student Engagement, and Access)
• Fake Traditional Wedding (February 24, sponsored by the Caribbean African Students Association and Office of Diversity and Inclusion)

View all Black History Month events »