Black History Month
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Read: Why Black History Month?
by Dr. Alphonso Simpson, Jr., Director of African American Studies and Assoc. Prof of Sociology at UW Oshkosh
Most schools still teach a history curriculum which focuses on traditional events and the achievements of white figures. Black History Month gives everyone the opportunity to share, celebrate and understand the impact of black heritage and culture.
Known as the “Father of Black History”, Carter G Woodson was born in Virginia in 1875 and was the son of former slaves. Growing up, access to a good education and job opportunities were limited, but he ended up studying at one of the few high schools for black students after saving money from working as a coal miner. Over the years he gained an impressive number of qualifications, including a PhD in history from Harvard University. In 1926 he sent out a press release to mark the first Black History Week in the US. Throughout his life, Carter G Woodson worked tirelessly to promote black history in schools, leaving an indelible legacy.
The event was expanded in 1970, and since 1976 every US president has officially designated February as Black History Month in the US. February was chosen in the US because it coincides with the births of former President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass – who escaped slavery and became a key social activist. Both men played a significant role in helping to end slavery.
Dr. Woodson wanted to increase the knowledge of Black history within black communities, but he was just as anxious to spread it to interested others. He was convinced of the therapeutic power of Black history: Blacks would be seen as integral to the country if their contributions were known. Explaining his plan, Woodson wrote “If a race has no history, if it has no worth-while tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated.”
In 1940, W.E.B. DuBois declared that Negro History Week was one of the great 1920’s cultural innovations. The week helped Blacks to overcome the sense of inferiority that was the inheritance of slavery and Jim Crow. Much of what the public knows today about black people of the past comes from Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s plan for a February celebration.
Watch: The True History of Black History Month
from: The Cincinnati Herald
February 2023 Calendar of Events
Wednesday, February 1
Black History Month Tabling
10 AM – 1 PM
Sage Hall Lobby
Meet the AAS Club – Game Night/Paint Night
5:30 -7:30 PM
Titan Underground
Having members/representatives from all facets of AAS to come and socialize with students. Discuss what it is like to be in those groups
Thursday, February 2
Black History Month Tabling
10 AM – 1 PM
Sage Hall Lobby
Black History Month Spotlight
5:00 PM
90.3 WRST-FM
Dr. Alphonso Simpson, Jr. – UWO African American Studies Director
wrst.org
Black Professionals Panel
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Virtual Via Zoom
Asking black professionals about the transition from the educational system into their professional life. Applying for jobs, interviewing, networking
Invited Guests include:
Mr. Brandyn Bailey – University of Louisville
Dr. Damira Grady – Madison College
Mr. James Price – Oklahoma City Thunder
Dr. Kevin Thompson – University of Houston
Late Night Family Feud
8- 9 PM
Reeve Union Memorial, RM 306
Students join together to answer some fun and intriguing questions about black history, black culture, and more!
Students & Faculty MUST show TitanCard
Friday, February 3
Black History Month Tabling
10 AM – 1 PM
Reeve Union Concourse
Afrobeat Dance Class
6 – 7 PM
Student Rec and Wellness Center
Students MUST present their Student ID upon entry to the Center
Saturday, February 4
BB/BS Mentorship w/ ONHS BSU
1:30 – 5 PM and 5:30 – 8 PM
Reeve Union Ballroom / Rev’s Bowl
Sunday, February 5
Black History Month Church Service
10:30 AM
Bethel Worship Center
903 E. Tennessee Ave – Oshkosh, WI
Monday, February 6
What is the ASIE?
10 AM -1 PM
Reeve Concourse
Monday Night Movie – Rosewood
6 PM
Sage Hall 1210
FREE Admission/Popcorn/Candy. Talkback hosted by Dr. Alphonso Simpson, Dr. Denae Powell, Dr. Michelle Kuhl.
Watch the Trailer
Tuesday, February 7
Open Lecture – Just WHAT is African American
Studies?
11:30 – 1 PM
Reeve Union Theater Rm – 307
Divine Voices and Heritage Gospel OPEN Choir Rehearsal
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Arts and Communications Bldg. Rm. N14
No Auditions Required
Wednesday, February 8
“OUR VOICES” Black Women Speak
5 – 6 PM
Reeve Memorial Union Theater Rm 307
Maria Fletcher (Moderator), Director, Academic Programs and Titan Advantage Program
Reneé Simpson, Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Advising Resource Center
Dr. Denae Powell, Assistant Professor, Communication Studies
Daphne Lewis, Internal Consultant for Institutional Effectiveness
Jasmine Kelly, Academic Program Specialist, Certifying Officer, College of Education and Human Services
Young Love: Let’s Talk About It
This event has been Cancelled.
Our Apologies for any inconveniences.
Thursday, February 9
The Exchange in White America: Kaukauna & King 50 Years Later.
6:30 – 8 PM
Sage 1210
Talkback Discussion hosted by the film maker.
Black History Month Spotlight
5:30 PM
Radio Broadcast via 90.3 WRST-FM
Dr. Denae Powell – Assistant Professor of African American Studies
A Conversation with Dr. Denita Ball – First African American Female Sheriff of Milwaukee County
7:00 PM
Virtual via ZOOM
Hosted by Dr. Alphonso Simpson, Jr.
Friday, February 10
Honoring Black Excellence on Campus
6 – 8 PM
Reeve Memorial Union Ballroom (227 B&C)
Saturday, February 11
Black Student Gathering
6 – 7:30 PM
Reeve Memorial Union 202
Sunday, February 12
Black History Month Church Service
10 AM
Breakthrough Covenant Church in Appleton
215 E. Washington Street – Appleton, WI. For more information, please visit breakthroughcovenant.org
Raising Simba: A Discussion of Family Faith and Fellowship with Wendell and Falisa Ray
Hosted By: Dr. Alphonso and Renee Simpson
6 – 7 PM
Virtual via Zoom
Monday, February 13
Monday Night Movie – “Glory”
6 PM
Sage Hall 1210
FREE Admission/Popcorn/Candy. Talkback hosted by Dr. Michelle Kuhl
Tuesday, February 14
Event: Hybrid Class Lecture with Dr. Alphonso Simpson(What is Blackness in the 21st Century?) Pt. 1
11:30 AM – 1 PM
Sage 1210 and Virtual via Zoom
George Washington Williams’ “Bitter Disappointment:” An African American’s Observations on Imperialism in the Congo, 1890
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Sage 3234
Lecture given by Dr. Michael Rutz, History Department
Wednesday, February 15
3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Commemorative Celebration and Awards Program/ Oshkosh 94 Scholarship Program
6:30 – 8 PM
Reeve Memorial Union Theater Rm 307
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson – Co-founder of Dr. Dyslexia Dude, LLC.
“Time Is Of The Essence”: Why We Can’t Afford To Wait
Thursday, February 16
Black History Month Spotlight
5 PM
90.3 WRST
Josiah Benjamin – Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. – Eta Pi Chapter President – UWO
A virtual conversation with Dr. Maulana Karenga
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Virtual Zoom Meeting
Dr. Maulana Karenga is professor and Chair of the Department of Africana Studies at California State University – Long Beach. He is also the creator of the pan-African cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles) and author of the authoritative text titled Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.
Open Gym Night
8 – 11 PM
Student Rec and Wellness Center
All students are welcomed to play basketball, volleyball, scale the Climbing Wall, and check out or rent other sports equipment…Snacks and beverages will be provided!
Students & Faculty MUST show TitanCard
Friday, February 17
1st Annual Decade Dance: 1970s!
7 – 10 PM
Reeve 202
Come Dressed up in your best 70s outfits ready to boogie down “Memory Lane” with LIVE MUSIC from Professional DJ and UWO Alumni Andre Wallace
$100 prize for best outfit! Prizes for other “best of…”categories
Saturday, February 18
“Know Your Black History” -TRIVIA CONTEST
3 PM
Virtual via ZOOM
Kahootz style Trivia Game for all interested Undergraduate and High School Students. Be sure to REPRESENT YOUR SCHOOL by wearing a shirt, hat or some clothing item with your school name, logo, or mascot on it
$100 prize for first place winner
Students & Faculty MUST show TitanCard
Afro Beat Dance Class
6 – 7 PM
Student Rec and Wellness Center
Students MUST present their student ID upon entry to the Center.
Sunday, February 19
Black History Month Church Service
10:30 AM
Bethel Worship Center
903 E. Tennessee Ave – Oshkosh, WI
Monday, February 20
“Black Folk are Just Built Different”: Mental Health in the Black Community”
3:30 – 5 PM
Sage Hall 2221
Lecture by Dr. Alphonso Simpson
Monday Night Movie – Amistad
6 PM
Sage Hall 1210
FREE Admission/Popcorn/Candy. Talkback hosted by African American Studies Club Students and Dr. Michelle Kuhl
Flag Football
9 – 10:30 PM
Rec Plex Dome
You MUST have your student ID to get in.
Tuesday, February 21
Hybrid Class Lecture with Dr. Denae Powell
(Racial Conflict in Reality TV)
3:30 – 5 PM
Sage 3218 and Virtual via ZOOM
Divine Voices and Heritage Gospel OPEN Choir Rehearsal
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Arts and Communications Bldg. Rm. N14
No Audition Required
Group Ex Night
6 – 8 PM
MAC Gym – Student Rec and Wellness Center
Come participate in a few short 10-15 minute sample classes, games, and raffle drawing! Snacks will be provided. Open to ALL students. Must have VALID Campus ID upon entry.
Students & Faculty MUST show TitanCard
Wednesday, February 22
Classroom Lecture – Understanding Mental Health in
the Black Community
3:30 – 5 PM
Sage Hall 2221
Guest Lecturer – Kris Brown
Neo Soul Paint + Sip
5 – 7 PM
Titan Underground
Event: AAS Liaisons “Resistance: Shifting notions of deficit thinking on Black men in Higher Education.”
7 – 8 PM
Virtual via ZOOM
Mr. Johnnie Campbell, M.Ed (Ph.D Candidate – Higher Education, Loyola University – Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, February 23
Event: Hybrid Class Lecture with Dr. Alphonso Simpson (What is Blackness in the 21st Century?) Pt. 2
11:30 AM – 1 PM
Sage Hall 2232 and Virtual via Zoom
Black History Month Spotlight
5:30 PM
90.3 WRST-FM
Dr. Shawn Anthony Robinson – Co-founder of Dr. Dyslexia Dude, LLC
Student Lecture – College Dreams vs. Reality
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Virtual via Zoom
A candid discussion hosted by leaders from UWO Black Student Orgs with representatives from neighboring colleges and universities. Moderated by Dr. Denae Powell
Friday, February 24
Film Screening: Malcolm X
5:30 PM
Sage 1210
Panel Hosted by AAS Faculty and Associates
Saturday, February 25
Skate Night
6:30 – 9:30 PM
Skate City – 708 S Railroad St, Kimberly, WI 54136
Admission $10 per person, $8 if you have your own skates. Bus Ride to Skate City – FREE
Bus leaves Reeve Union at 6:15 PM.
Sunday, February 26
Black History Month Church Service
10 AM
Breakthrough Covenant Church in Appleton
215 E. Washington St. – Appleton, WI
For more information, please visit breakthroughcovenant.org
Event: D.V.O.V. “Tiny Desk” Concert
6:30 PM
Sage 1210
FREE ADMISSION – Come out to experience this rehearsal styled performance in an up close and personal space.
Monday, Feb.27
Classroom Lecture – “Black America’s 9/11”
Hurricane Katrina 18 Years Later.
3:30 – 5 PM
Sage Hall 2221
Lecture by Dr. Alphonso Simpson
Monday Night Movie – Till
6 PM
Sage Hall 1210
FREE / Admission / Popcorn / Candy
Talkback hosted by Dr. Alphonso Simpson,Jr., Dr. Denae Powell, and Dr. Michelle Kuhl
Tuesday Feb.28
Hybrid Class Lecture with Dr. Alphonso Simpson
(Africa – What you THOUGHT you knew)
11:30 AM – 1 PM
Sage Hall 1210 and Virtual via ZOOM
Cultural Expressions
7 – 9 PM
Titan Underground
Sponsored by the African American Studies Club.
For more information about information about individual events,
contact Dr. Alphonso Simpson at simpsona@uwosh.edu or call (920) 424-0964.
African American Studies Program
Sage Hall, Room 3464
(920) 424-0964
aasp@uwosh.edu
AASP Brochure
Have a question? Ask away.