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. 1: Black History Month Kickoff, presented by the Cross-Cultural and Gender Center’s African American Programs and Services, Black Student Success Initiative and Africana Studies, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Gardens by the Kennel Bookstore. This event kicks off Black History Month. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to unite as a community and celebrate the rich culture of Black American History with food from Kockys; performances by the Red Wavettes, a Fresno State majorette group; games; music; and giveaways. Contact: Curtis Witherspoon, bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 1: “Down with the Clique,” an ArtHop exhibition celebrating local Black Artists, sponsored by the Africana Studies Program, 5 to 8 p.m. at Scarab Creative Arts Center (729 E. Divisadero St.), curated and featuring artwork by senior Fresno State art major Tyler Alyce and other Black, Valley creatives. There will be live performance of African djembe by Abdullatif Tounkara and spoken word by Garfield Spencer. Contact: Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.

Feb. 1-29: “The 559 Edition — African Americans and the Arts,” a gallery exhibition hosted by Africana Studies for the month of February at the Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery on the second floor of the Fresno State Library. This exhibition will represent a selection of Black artists in the Central Valley with various media and topics, individually and collectively celebrating African American art. Contact: Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu. 

Feb. 6: Turn-Up Tuesday “Red Wavettes,” presented by the Black Student Success Initiative and African American Programs and Services. The event will be hosted by Terree Stevenson, dean of students at Fresno State, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Speakers Platform by the Peace Garden. Contact: D’Aungillique Jackson dajackson@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 8: Sistah-To-Sistah’s “Natural Hair Night,” 5 to 7 p.m. at the Resnick Student Union (Room 206), presented by the Black Student Success Initiative. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend and have deep discussions in a welcoming, safe environment. In Black culture, hair holds deep significance. Students will have the opportunity to learn about Black-owned businesses that provide hair products. Contact: Curtis Witherspoon, bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu.

CANCELLED (may be rescheduled) — Feb. 9: Movie and PJs, presented by the Cross Cultural and Gender Center’s African American Programs and Services, Office of Black Student Success and Black Student Success Initiative, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fresno State Library (Room 2206). Students, faculty and staff are invited to come together and enjoy a Black-inspired film. Contact: Michael Blathers, mblathers@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 9: Walk in Peace: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month, with Fresno State and Fresno City College choirs, 7:30 p.m. at the Fresno State Concert Hall in the Music Building. Tickets are $5 for general admission, free for Fresno State students. Contact: Cari Earnhart, cearnhart@csufresno.edu.

Feb. 10: “Literacy: Embracing our Shared Stories,” sponsored in part by Fresno State, participants will engage in active learning experiences that highlight cultural literacy, traditions, activities and histories of various groups, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park (4011 Grant Dr.in Earlimart). Register online. Contact: Kimberly Lewis, Kimberly.Lewis@fresnounified.org.

Feb. 12: “Free At Last!” African Drum Circle honoring Nelson Mandela, African Drum Interactive with Donte McDonald, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Resnick Student Union amphitheater. The year 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections and the 34th anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison after 27 years. Contact: Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu.

Feb. 14: “Love is in the Air,” presented by the Black Student Success Initiative, Cross Cultural and Gender Center’s African American Programs and Services and Off-Campus Student Life, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Speakers Platform by the Peace Garden. This event encourages love and harmony on the Fresno State campus by offering cultural desserts in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Contact: Curtis Witherspoon, bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 14: Red Wavettes halftime performance at the Fresno State men’s basketball game (tip-off is at 8 p.m. at the Save Mart Center). Presented by the Red Wavettes, a Fresno State majorette group. Tickets for the game are available at gobulldogs.com. Contact: Red Wavettes, fresnostateredwavettes@gmail.com.

Feb. 16: Dip and Paint, presented by the Black Student Success Initiative, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the  Conley Arts building painting studio. This event is geared toward providing an environment that encourages creativity through painting. Contact: Curtis Witherspoon, bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 17: Care Day, presented by Black Student Success Initiative, Center for Essential Needs, the Amendola Family Student Cupboard, and African American Programs and Services, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting at Herndon/Blackstone avenues and walking to the Riverpark unhoused encampment to distribute resources. This event is geared toward providing students with community service opportunities. Students will unite to support the unhoused communities in the surrounding area. Contact: Sade Johnson, sadej@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 20: “A Force More Powerful,” sponsored by the Division of Equity and Engagement and the Department of Philosophy, the M.K. Gandhi Center presents a screening of this documentary exploring the work and techniques of nonviolent resistance by the Rev. James M. Lawson, a prominent Civil Rights Leader, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fresno State Library, Room 3212. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Dr. Veena Howard, director of Fresno State’s Gandhi Center and a Gandhi scholar.

Feb 20: Turn-Up Tuesday “Throwback,” presented by the Black Student Success Initiative and Cross Cultural and Gender Center’s African American Programs and Services, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Memorial Gardens by the Kennel Bookstore. Students will have the chance to become informed about African American-related culture and history through trivia and games. Contact: Curtis Witherspoon, bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 22: Sistah-To-Sistah, noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cross Cultural and Gender Center’s Harambee Room. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend and have deep discussions in a welcoming, safe environment. Contact: Michael Blathers, mblathers@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 22: Black Arts Lounge with Ben Boone and Faylita Hicks, 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery on the second floor of the Fresno State Library. There will be music, spoken word poetry and a relaxed lounge vibe to celebrate Black History Month in style. Celebrate the national theme “African Americans and the Arts.” Refreshments will be served. The Africana Studies Program has commissioned a painting by Audia Dixon to be donated to Fresno State. Contact: Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu. 

Feb. 23: Altered Images and Cultural Crafts with Sucka Free Sunday, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Resnick Student Union (Room 214). Take part in an African American collage workshop with Devoya Mayo. Supplies will be provided for creating a Black History Month-inspired crafty tin altar. Contact: Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu. 

Feb. 23: Fantastic Voyage! Sanibonani Open Mic at Tower Blendz, hosted by Fresno State’s Africana Studies Program, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 802 E. Olive Ave. in Fresno. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. with free juice drinks and/or coupons for the first 20 attendees/poets. Contact: Meta Schettler, mschettl@csufresno.edu. 

Feb 23: “Ludi” film screening, presented by CineCulture, 5:30 p.m. at the Peters Education Center Auditorium. “Ludi” follows a young Haitian immigrant, Ludi Alcidor, who works day and night as a nurse at a private nursing home to send money back to her family while she struggles to support herself. Discussant: Film director Edson Jean. Contact: Mary Husain, mhusain@csufresno.edu.

Feb. 25: Super Sunday, Fresno State African American Initiative, CSU leaders bring an empowering message to churches throughout California about the importance of preparing for college. Various Fresno State leaders will speak to Valley congregations on this date. 

Feb. 28: Black Fly Market and “Barbers on campus,” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Memorial Gardens and the University Student Union balcony. Presented by the Black Student Success Initiative, the Cross Cultural and Gender Center’s African American Programs and Services and the Career Development Center. Local small businesses and vendors will promote and sell their handcrafted goods and products on campus. There will be food, personalized merchandise and cultural products. Barbers will be on campus to administer free haircuts for our students. Contact: Curtis Witherspoon, bssi@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Feb. 29: Brunch and Network,  presented by the Black Student Success Initiative, the Cross Cultural and Gender Center’s African American Programs and Services, African American Alumni Club and Career Development Center, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Smittcamp Alumni House. This event provides students with the opportunity to make valuable connections as they enjoy brunch with a variety of professionals. Pre-registration required. Contact: Michael Blathers, mblathers@mail.fresnostate.edu.