Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration in February dedicated to recognizing the rich contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout the country’s history. The monthlong celebration provides an opportunity to highlight the Black community’s struggles, triumphs and cultural impact, fostering a deeper understanding of the African American experience.

At Rice University, we are enthusiastic about creating a dynamic and vibrant celebration that goes beyond traditional narratives, showcasing the diverse facets of Black culture. 
Rice University recognizes the importance of Black History Month in fostering a sense of belonging, inclusivity and visibility within the Black community. The institution is committed to exploring new possibilities, fostering fresh ideas, and encouraging contributions that ensure the next generation inherits the resilience and strength needed to prosper.

The celebration at Rice includes a carefully planned series of events, discussions and festivities, highlighting the Black culture’s richness. The kick-off event, in particular, is anticipated as a powerful beginning to the month, connecting the relevance of Black history with the arts. 

The university aims to provide individuals outside the African American community with a glimpse into the daily lives of Black Americans, moving beyond stereotypical narratives. This year’s national theme, African American and Labor, invites you to embark on a journey through time, showcasing the myriad contributions Black culture has made to the various forms of labor.

As Rice University gears up for Black History Month, there is a dedication to creating a meaningful and impactful celebration that not only recognizes the historical significance but also serves as an opportunity for reflection, education and fostering a sense of community among students, staff, faculty and the broader population. The planning committee recruited seven students and nine staff and faculty members to design the monthlong programming, bringing together Owls who identify as Black, as well as a consortium from different backgrounds, interested in supporting the black community. 

We’d love for you to join us as we come together as a community to celebrate Black History Month throughout February.

Black History Month Events

Friday, Jan. 31

Time	Event	Sponsor	Location
Reception, 6:30 p.m.; Showcase, 7:30 p.m.	Second Annual Black History Month Kick Off  Showcase Join us to kick off BHM with an array of performances, including spoken word, storytelling and dancing and celebrate culture, expression and creativity.	Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion  and BHM Committee	Rice Memorial Center
7 p.m.	“Black Lives Matter in Latin America” This documentary includes footage of protests to combat police brutality and harassment of Afro-Brazilians and key leaders in the fight for human rights in Brazil.	Rice Cinema	301 Sewall Hall

February 1-28 (All Month)

Event	Sponsor	Location
Archiving Black Intellectual Histories at Rice Rice’s BHM celebration will highlight an archival collection initiative committed to preserving and honoring the contributions of Black scholars, artists and activists within the Rice community. Throughout February, the Woodson Research Center will gather documents and images from Black faculty to safeguard their academic and cultural legacies. This initiative aims to deepen engagement with the rich history of Black intellectual thought, both at Rice and beyond, by revisiting historical records, uncovering untold narratives and fostering meaningful conversations.	Fondren Library and Woodson Research  Center	Near Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, during library hours
BHM Book Displays Fondren Library presents book displays for BHM throughout February.	Fondren Library	Near Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, during library hours

Every Thursday in February

Time	Event	Sponsor	Location
3:30–5:30 p.m.	Thursday’s Hangouts Join us for great food and fellowship in a relaxed atmosphere.	Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	Multicultural Center

Saturday, Feb. 1 - Saturday, Feb. 8

Date	Time	Event	Sponsor	Location
Feb. 1	2 p.m.	“Black Lives Matter in Latin America” Gladys Mitchell-Walthour, North Carolina Central University, presents her documentary on the Black Lives Matter movement in Latin America.	Center for African and African American Studies	African American History Research Center
Feb. 6	Noon–1 p.m.	Rice Black Professional Network Informational Session Open to Black faculty and staff. Come learn more about the Black and Staff Faculty Employee Resource Group here at Rice.	Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion	MultiCultural Center
Feb. 6	5:30–6:45 p.m.	Roots and Reflection: Insights From Black Mental Health Professionals Black mental health professionals at Rice will discuss mental health concerns specific to Black Rice students and topics relevant to their own lives, including how they decided to go into mental health and related fields, their experiences in higher education and sharing with students what they wish they knew in college. Registration: Walk in or OwlNest	Student Wellbeing Office	TBD
Feb. 6	6–8 p.m.	Opening Reception, Phillip Pyle II, “Spectrum Sammy” A celebration of the latest installation of the Moody Project Wall by Houston-based artist Phillip Pyle II. Enjoy artist remarks, light refreshments and music by DJ Flash Gordon Parks. Registration: https://moody.rice.edu/events/opening-reception-phillip-pyle-ii-spectrum-sammy	Moody Center for the Arts	Flex Studio, Moody Center for the Arts
Feb. 7	4–7 p.m.	Rice Black Professional Network Mixer Hang out and meet other Black staff and faculty members here at Rice (staff and faculty members only)	Rice Black Professional Network	Frnds, 2441 University Blvd.
Feb. 7	2–5 p.m.	BHM Chat Celebrate BHM with the Black Graduate Student Association. Food and activities will be catered and provided by Black-owned establishments in the Greater Houston area.  Registration: OwlNet	Black Graduate Student Association	Multicultural Center
Feb. 7-8	8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. both days	Haiti and the World: Global Encounters of the Past, Present and Future A symposium to amplify Haiti’s rich cultural legacy and global influence while challenging persistent myths and stereotypes. Registration: https://events.rice.edu/event/395657-haiti-and-the-world-global-encounters-of-the-past	Jacqueline Couti and Linsey Sainte-Claire, Modern and Classical Literatures and Cultures	Room 108, Anderson Clarke Center, Feb. 7; Room 510, O’Connor Building, Feb. 8

Tuesday, Feb. 11 - Wednesday, Feb. 19

Date	Time	Event	Sponsor	Location
Feb. 11	4 p.m.	“Color That Moves: The Fashion Palette of Stephen Burrows” Uri McMillan, associate professor of English and gender studies University of California, Los Angeles, will provide a public lecture.	Center for African and African American Studies	Herman Brown Hall
Feb. 11	10 a.m.–1 p.m.	RBMA Valentine’s Day X Black Women’s Appreciation RBMA will give out roses to the Black women on campus as well as host sign-ups for Black Women’s Appreciation Weekend.	RBMA	Multicultural Center
Feb. 11	7:30 p.m.	Black & LGBTQ+ Film Series: “Rustin”     Activist Bayard Rustin was a major leader of the Civil Rights Movement and an openly gay man. “Rustin” shows his voracity to create change in the face of racism and homophobia by organizing the 1963 March on Washington and effectively changing the course of civil rights history.	Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Brown College	Vator Lounge, Brown College
Feb. 15	6 p.m.	Spades Saturday A gathering to learn to play the card game Spades.	Tamara Jones	McMurtry Magister House
Feb. 18	8 p.m.	Let’s Groove Tonight Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, come groove to great music and celebrate culture. Let’s line dance, have fun and honor Black history together.	Brown and Jones College RAs	Brown Magister House
Feb. 19	Noon–2 p.m.	Hump Day Kickback  Come hang out with the Rice community. Wear your favorite kicks and your Black History, Black Excellence, Divine 9 or HBCU T-shirts.	BHM Committee	Academic Quad (rain location TBD)
Feb. 19	Food will be at 5:30 p.m./ Show start at 7 p.m.	Soul Night This homecoming is BSA’s annual cultural showcase, an original jukebox musical, celebrating the Black Rice experience and Black-American musical excellence.	Black Student Association	Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center

Thursday, Feb. 20 - Friday, Feb. 28

Date	Time	Event	Sponsor	Location
Feb. 20	Three  sessions between 1-5 p.m.	Exploring Houston’s Historical Black Press: Advancing Research, Preserving Legacy Fondren Library, in collaboration with the University of North Texas Portal to Texas History, invites all communities interested in preserving Black history to a symposium on Black newspapers. The symposium will highlight Black newspapers, their place in genealogical research and a more nuanced understanding of their relevance in under-told Texas history. Registration: https://events.rice.edu/event/398981-exploring-houstons-historical-black-press	Fondren Library	Kyle Morrow Room, Fondren Library,
Feb. 20	3:30–5:30 p.m.	Comic Book Pop-up Shop The Pop-up Shop will coincide with the weekly BHM hangout Feb. 20 as Gulf Coast Cosmos Comicbook Co., the only Black comic book store in Texas, will be on display.	Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Multicultural Center	Multicultural Center
Feb. 20	6 p.m.	“COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War”  Edda Fields-Black, professor of history and director of the Dietrich College Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon University, will speak about her new book.	Center for African and African American Studies	Room 100, Herring Hall
Feb. 21	6–8 p.m.	Black Student Art Exhibit	-	Sleepy Cyborg Gallery, Sewall Hall Courtyard
Feb. 24	5 p.m.	BHM Social This annual event brings together student-athletes, staff and coaches to celebrate the history and culture of BHM and its impact on Rice and Houston.	Rice Athletics, Rice Owls of Color United	Tudor Fieldhouse Patio
Feb. 24	Food will be served at 4:30 p.m. the show starts at 5 p.m.	Open Mic: The Work of the Artist Join us for an inspiring evening of storytelling, poetry, music and spoken word as we honor the rich history and contributions of the Black community. Let’s come together to uplift and inspire as we celebrate Black excellence, culture and history. Registration: https://rice.edu/bhm-open-mic	Glasscock School of Continuing Studies	Anderson Clarke Center
Feb. 25	5–7 p.m.	Celebrating Black Excellence Join us for an interactive BHM celebration featuring Black-owned businesses, captivating performances and self-care packages.	Center for Civic Leadership	Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center
Feb. 27	4:30 p.m.	“Separate and Nonexistent: Black Southerners and Graduate Education During the Era of Legal Segregation” Crystal Sanders, associate professor of African American studies, Emory University, will provide a public lecture.	Center for African and African American Studies	Welcome Center Presentation Room, Sewall Hall
Feb. 27	The reception begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program at 6 p.m.	MCR Celebrates the “Women of Nature” Exhibition at the Community Artists’ Collective Join Multicultural Community Relations (MCR) in the Office of Public Affairs at the Community Artists’ Collective for a reception and artists talk on its current exhibition, “Women of Nature.” “Women of the Earth‘“unites the creative voices of Andrea Venson, Kanika Blair, and Audrianna Woods—three artists whose work is deeply entwined with the natural world. Through distinct yet harmoniously aligned practices, they explore the intersection of femininity, nature, and spiritual connection. Together the artists highlight the power of women working in harmony to create art that is bold, sensual, and deeply rooted in the earth.	Multicultural Community Relations (MCR)	4111 Fannin, Suite 100 a
Feb. 28	3 p.m. (Concert to follow, C.I.T.Y., 6:30–7:30 p.m.)	Grillin’ and Chillin’ Join us for the best cookout in the city of Houston. Enjoy fellowship, eat, dance and most importantly grill and chill.	BHM Cookout Committee	Sid Richardson College

Saturday, March 1 - Saturday, March 8

Date	Time	Event	Sponsor	Location
March 1	11:30 a.m.	Timbral Xperience This concert will focus on the music of African American composers with pieces inspired by historical events, featuring students from the Shepherd School of Music.	Shepherd School of Music, Xayvion Davidson	Duncan Recital Hall
March 1	7 p.m.	Black Excellence Gala The gala is an awards-style banquet honoring students, faculty, staff and alumni for their successes, contributions and dedication to the Rice community.	Black Student Association	Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center
March 2	Dinner, 4–5 p.m.; Show, 6–8 p.m.	Africayé The Rice African Student Association’s yearly cultural showcase involves a display of culture through music, dance and fashion. Registration and tickets required. Payment through Venmo.	Rice African Student Association	Grand Hall, Rice Memorial Center
March 7-8	Friday (9:30 am-6 pm) and Saturday,(11:30-6 pm)	African American Literature & the Other Arts: A Symposium at Rice University This two-day symposium will explore the rich interplay between African American literature and the other arts through scholarly presentations, roundtable discussions, and poetry readings.	Center for African and African American Studies	Moody Center for the Arts, Room 205/206
March 8	7:30 p.m.	Black Vocal Works: A Celebration of Poetry in Song This recital culminates a three-day residency of composer Shawn Okpebholo and poet Tsitsi Jaji at the Shepherd School of Music. Curated by Jaji, it features art songs by Black composers, including several works by Okpebholo, and current voice students as performers. Free admission.	Lyndsi Maus	Duncan Recital Hall

Special thanks to the Black History Month committee members: Asia Donald, Catherine Clack, Caitlin Lindsay, Davon Robb, Fay Yarbrough, Grant Stephens, Hope Grant, Heather Holley, Jan West, Juliann Losey, Nicole Owens, Portia Hopkins, Peyton Ball, Shanese Robinson-Valyan, Shannon LaBove, Sherrigo McNeil, Shanequea White, Tia Gray and Trey McCray.