Black History Month
UNF recognizes National Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, each February. It serves as a celebration of the African diaspora and the contributions of Black Americans as part of the United States history. Events, activities, and programs throughout the month of February acknowledge the robust and rich history and culture of Black Americans and others of African Descent.
Past events for Black History Month include the Black Excellence Expo, Soul Food Friday, our very own Mr. and Mrs. BSU pageant, and more! Check below in February for a complete list of our events.
Black History Month 2023 Events
Black History Month Kickoff
Wednesday, February 1, 2023 | Noon
Organization(s): Intercultural Center
Location: Peace Plaza (Between Building 1 and 2)
Cost: Free!
Join us for the UNF Black History Month Kickoff. Speakers include Dr. Richmond Wynn and Dr. Rudy Jamison.
Friday Lounge: For a Black Girl Takeover
Friday, February 3, 2023 | 2 – 4 p.m.
Organization(s): Women's Center
Location: Women's Center: Building 2, Suite 2100
Cost: Free!
It's Black History Month and For a black girl is taking over our Friday Lounge! Joins us as we look at the status of Black women in the USA, write letters to our younger and future-selves and enjoy some soul food.
42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 | Noon – 2 p.m.
Organization(s): Intercultural Center
Location: Adam W. Herbert University Center: Building 43
Cost: Individual Tickets: $50; Limited Amount of Free Student Tickets
Click here for Ticket and Sponsorship Information
Join us as we honor the ideals and teachings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. The keynote speaker is Cheryl Brown Henderson, Brown v. Board of Education Originator and Civil Rights activists. Ms. Brown Henderson is one of the three daughters of the late Rev. Oliver L. Brown who in the fall of 1950 along with 12 other parents in Topeka, Kansas, led by attorneys for the NAACP, filed suit on behalf of their children against the local Board of Education. Ms. Brown Henderson is the Founding President of The Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research, and owner of Brown & Associates, an educational consulting firm. She has an extensive background in education, business and civic leadership, having served on and chaired various local, state and national boards.
2023 MLK Scholarship Celebration VIP Speaker Meet and Greet
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 | 2:30 p.m.
Organization(s): Intercultural Center
Location: Interfaith and SAID Lounge: Building 2, Suite 1400
Cost: Free!
Join Cheryl Brown Henderson as she shares more of her dynamic story following the MLK Scholarship Celebration. RSVP required. Students will receive priority status for this event.
Black Student Union General Body Meeting
Friday, February 10, 2023 | 5 – 8 p.m.
Organization(s): Black Student Union (BSU)
Location: John A. Delaney Student Union Ballrooms A, B, C and D
Cost: Free!
February's general body meeting is not your average general body meeting. The Black Student Union is going to talk about mental helath, the status of the Black Student Union, and more. You do not want to miss it.
Stetson vs. UNF Basketball Game
Saturday, February 11, 2023 | Noon
Location: UNF Arena
Join the Black History Month Committee to cheer the Men’s Osprey Basketball team to victory.
Business Etiquette Luncheon
Monday, February 13, 2023 | Noon – 2 p.m.
Organization(s): Intercultural Center
Location: Seasons 52
Cost: Free!
This event is for CASS, yet is also open to students wanting to learn more about the Intercultural Center Mentoring programs. Come join us! RSVP is required.
Connecting with the Eartha M. M. Collection
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Organization(s): Thomas G. Carpenter Library, Africana Studies Program, and Digital Humanities
Location: Special Collections Reading Room: Thomas G. Carpenter Library (Building 12) First Floor
Cost: Free!
The Thomas G. Carpenter Library, Africana Studies Program, and Digital Humanities Institute is sponsoring a panel discussion focused on the Eartha M. M. White Collection at UNF and how it has become a nexus for building connections on campus and within the Jacksonville community.
What's Your Hair Type? The Crown Act
Thursday, February 16, 2023 | 2 – 4 p.m.
Organization(s): Intercultural Center, Women's Center
Location: Interfaith and SAID Lounge: Building 2, Suite 1400
Cost: Free!
In 2019, The Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act was signed into law to prohibit race-based hair discrimination in the education and employment sectors. Participate in enriching dialogue focused on self-expression and individuality through cultural hairstyles in the workplace. Light refreshments will be served.
Chew On This: Black Faith and Spirituality
Monday, February 20, 2023 | 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Organization(s): Interfaith Center
Location: Interfaith and SAID Lounge: Building 2, Suite 1400
Cost: Free!
Is faith synonymous with African American identity and descent? What is Black spirituality within and beyond religion? Three Black religious and non-religious leaders from the community will share a text and discussion on this topic over dinner in the Interfaith Lounge.
Elevator Pitch Perfect
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Organization(s): Intercultural Center
Location: Building 2, Room 1017
Cost: Free!
“Tell me about yourself” is a common statement used in an interview. Are you confident in your ability to highlight your accomplishments and skills in 90 seconds or less? In partnership with Career Services, we will provide tips on how to perfect your elevator pitch. Refreshments will be served.
2nd Annual Jax Melanin Market Meets Market Days
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Organization(s): Intercultural Center
Location: Osprey Plaza (Between Buildings 58 East and West)
Cost: Free!
The Jax Melanin Market collides with Market Days. Enjoy food, swag and music while supporting Black-owned businesses.
Diversity Mixer
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | 6 p.m.
Organization(s): Career Services
Location: John A. Delaney Student Union Ballrooms A, B, C and D
Cost: Free!
The Diversity Mixer is an opportunity for students to engage with employers interested in UNF's dynamic student population prior to Career Week. This year, in collaboration with the universities' Black History Committee, the mixer will also include a panel allowing students to hear from executive leaders in various industries on this importance of diversity in the workplace.
Embracing Your Afro-Latinidad
Thursday, February 23, 2023 | 5 – 6 p.m.
Organization(s): Student Alliance for Inclusion and Diversity (SAID), Women's Center
Location: John A. Delaney Student Union Ballrooms C and D
Cost: Free!
Come out to converse about the aspect of being Afro-Latino and talk about the similarities between the Black and Latino community.
BSU Fashion Show
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Organization(s): Black Student Union (BSU)
Location: John A. Delaney Student Union Ballrooms A, B, C and D
Cost: Free!
What better way to end Black History Month than a Fashion Show? UNF Black Student Union is hosting a Fashion Show in partnership with DTLR and it is going to be amazing!
Past Black History Month Events
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2022
Black History Month Kickoff
Kick-off Black History Month with the Intercultural Center! Spin the wheel, win some swag, grab a goodie bag and receive a FREE Starbucks Grande beverage on us!BSU General Body Meeting
BSU is back to take over Spring! Come learn about our upcoming Black History Month events and Spring 2022 calendar.Rep Your Set
Rep your set with the National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC). Showcase how our campus community embraces our Divine Nine fraternities and sororities!Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Luncheon
The UNF Intercultural Center will celebrate the annual MLK celebration. Recognize this year's scholarship recipients and hear from our dynamic guest speaker in honor of UNF's 50th anniversary.Jax Melanin Market Meets Market Days
In partnership with the Intercultural Center and Africana Studies, the Jax Melanin Market collides with Market Days! Enjoy food trucks, swag and music brought to you by DJ Jimmie Hustle while supporting Black owned businesses.Black Excellence Expo
Celebrate all things exuding Black excellence with the Black Student Union! Enjoy a night of art in this fun-filled event showcasing culturally enriching education and entertainment featured in the African diaspora. -
2021
Influential Black Leaders, (every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)
Join us as we highlight influential Black leaders in the UNF community and beyond as we illustrate their contributions to the advancement and empowerment of Black people over time.Black History Month Kickoff
Kick off Black History Month with the Intercultural Center for Peace and various partners. The event will include a proclamation, a keynote address by local hip hop artist and The Lyricist Live Founder, Mal Jones, a special Maya Angelou reading and reflection.MOCA Project Atrium Series: A Social Justice Conversation with Carl Joe Williams
Join UNF's Black Student Union President, Nique McCloud, and Project Atrium artist, Carl Joe Williams, for a conversation about “Making Great Lives Matter” MOCA Jacksonville exhibit and systemic racism.40th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Celebration
Join the Intercultural Center for Peace for the 40th anniversary celebration of their annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Celebration. Hear from a dynamic guest speaker and see this year's scholarship recipients.BSU February GBM x Trap Yoga
Get involved, learn about upcoming Black History Month programming, and work it out with us during a Trap Yoga flow session facilitated by Mya, of Meeyogi, LLC!Black Love Matters: A Marital Journey through Spirituality, Friendship & Professional Success
Celebrate Black love with some of Jacksonville’s power couples! Moderated by an equally successful power couple, this dynamic panel will take us on their marital journeys as they navigate date nights, parenthood, faith and professional success.The History and Progression of Ballroom Culture
In collaboration with the LGBTQ Center, we will explore Ballroom Culture, with a panel discussion and voguing lesson, as a means of artistry, self-expression, survival, while considering the societal and cultural impacts the scene has had for the global LGBTQ+ community.Victim Advocate’s Talks & Topics: The Adultification & Criminalization of Black Girls
Adultification: a groundbreaking study showing that adults perceive Black Girls as less innocent and more adult-like than their White peers, especially between the ages of 5-14. Celebrate Black History Month with the Victim Advocacy Program by discussing the adultification and criminalization of Black Girls.BSU x CASS Versuz Battle
The Black Student Union and the Community Alliance for Student Success (CASS) collaborate for a fun, engaging event, Verzuz style! We will “battle” it out over our favorite Black culture topics and the audience will choose their favorite answers.Justice Sessions: How Research Local Black History
Join UNF’s Digital Humanities Institute for a roundtable of archivists, scholars and independent researchers moderated by UNF History professor, Dr. Felicia Bevel.Black Excellence Expo: Art Gala
Get dressed in your Sunday’s best and join us for a virtual formal night of artistic fun as local Black artists showcase their art and talent as we close out Black History Month with our signature event!