This page offers a sampling of events taking place systemwide throughout Black History Month 2024. Some events are more specifically related to Black History Month, and others are events that center Black creators and student groups and organizations. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of events. Submit your University of Minnesota event by emailing [email protected]. Visit Where it Starts for stories of U of M students, faculty, staff, and alums.
2024 Where It Starts
Crookston Events
Ain't I a Woman
Thursday, February 15, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
University of Minnesota Crookston, Bede Ballroom
A unique performance featuring Tiffany Terrell, who will portray multiple characters for Black History Month. These include the fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, renowned novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, exuberant folk artist Clementine Hunter, and fervent civil rights worker Fannie Lou Hamer. This performance will also feature piano music by Mikael Darmanie. Presented by the Black Student Association, Campus Assembly, Crookston Student Association, Golden Eagle Entertainment, Multicultural International Club, and the Student Center Information Desk. Learn more.
Duluth Events
Annual Soul Food Dinner
Shades of Africa: The Other Face of Haiti
Thursday, February 29, 7:30 p.m.
Weber Music Hall
Morris Events
Alumni Panel on Racial Reconciliation – From Moment to Movement: Fighting for Racial Reconciliation at UMM, Then and Now
February 5 at 7 p.m.
John Q. Imholte Hall, 109
Zoom Registration: z.umn.edu/Moment2Movement
Hear from alumni about what came next after the racial hazing Halloween incident of 1993 - the student organizing, protests, and their ongoing impacts. The alumni panel features Justin Grey Day '97, Malik D. I. Holt-Shabass '97, and Mark Schuller '96
Celebrating Bill Stewart's Birthday
The U of M Morris Office of Equity, Diversity, and Intercultural Programs invites the campus community, alumni, and friends to celebrate William "Bill" Stewart's 95th birthday. Learn more.
BSU International Fashion Show
Friday, February 9, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 p.m.
Student Center, Edson Auditorium
Enjoy a high-velocity vibe showcasing different cultures. Learn more.
The Pack Drumline & Dance Crew Presented By Performing Arts Series
Saturday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Edson Auditorium
Ticket information
Prepare to be blown away by the dynamic and talented performers of The Pack Drumline & Dance Crew. Originating from Chicago, this group of percussionists and dancers has earned a reputation for its high-energy performances and showmanship. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience that will leave you amazed and energized.
BSU Soul Food Dinner
Thursday, February 29, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Student Center, Oyate Hall
Brought to you by the Black Student Union. Part of Black History Month at UMN Morris.
Rochester Events
Ebony Night
Saturday, February 3
The Chateau
Join the Rochester campus Black Student Union for an enlightening night, celebrating Black excellence through performances, entertainment, and more! Dinner will be provided. The theme this year is Red Carpet/Award Show! Register here.
BHM Movie Night: Black Panther 2
Friday, February 16 from 6 - 8 p.m.
Student Life Center, Intercultural Student Center
In honor of Black History Month and to celebrate black artists and filmmakers, join us for a screening of "Black Panther 2" at the Intercultural Student Center on Feb 16. All students are invited. Food provided.
Health CORE Still We Rise Program
Monday, February 19 from 6 - 8 p.m.
USquare 417
Health CORE welcomes all UMR students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members to a program about African Americans in diverse medical careers. Speakers will include community leaders from Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center and the local arts community. The program will feature the “Still We Rise: Rochester Black Legacy” exhibit for Black History Month. Stop by to learn more about Black history in arts and medicine. Refreshments will be served.
Still We Rise: Rochester Black Legacy Exhibit
Monday, February 19 - Wednesday, February 21
USquare, 3rd Floor
Thursday, February 22 - Friday, February 23
Student Life Center
All students, faculty and staff are welcome to a pop-up exhibit to showcase key leaders and events that have shaped the local community and its history.
Black History Month Art Fair
Still We Rise Exhibit + tables displaying Black art
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Student Life Center, 2nd Floor
Part 2: Diversity Dialogue - Black History Month
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Intercultural Student Center
Speaker: Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara
Book Discussion: 1619 Project
Wednesday, February 28 from 12 - 1 p.m.
Student Life Center, Intercultural Student Center
Join the Diversity & Inclusion Committee for a discussion surrounding Chapter 15 (Healthcare) of The 1619 Project, a book that centers on the history of how systems of oppression were established in the United States and how they continue to impact our lives today. The book is available online through the UMN Library, but anyone is welcome at the event even if you’ve not yet read the chapter or book.
Twin Cities Events
EXHIBITION | The Soil and The Story
January 16 – April 19
HGA Gallery, Rapson Hall
The Goldstein Museum of Design’s latest exhibition, The Soil and The Story, celebrates Black Soilship in the Black Belt by highlighting 12 farms researched in the last three years across Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
There is no U.S. agricultural history without the expertise and labor of Black people. Black farmers, horticulturists, scientists, and inventors have revolutionized the way our agricultural system functions. During the Great Migration six million Black people moved north and west to escape racial violence, economic and educational disadvantage, and the oppression of Jim Crow laws. But many Black farmers remained. They liberate and heal both themselves and the soil by incorporating ancestral African traditions and indigenous land knowledge. The voices of Black farmers are essential to the knowledge and practices of U.S. soil health today and the design of systems and policies for the future.
The Everlasting Legacy of MLK - A Peace of My Mind
January 25 – March 17
Second Floor Gallery, Coffman Memorial Union
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential social activists who led the civil rights movement in the United States from the mid-1950s until his untimely death in 1968. His life was unfortunately cut short, however the legacy he left is everlasting. He continues to inspire generations of people still to this day This exhibition was created by the organization A Peace of My Mind; a multimedia arts project. They set up their studio at the University of Minnesota and asked, “How is Dr. King’s legacy crucial and relevant today?”
Study at a Historically Black College or University through National Student Exchange
Information Session
Tuesday, January 30, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
209 Coffman Union (Black Student Union)
Through the National Student Exchange (NSE), University of Minnesota students can exchange to an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) for a semester or year. This info session features NSE alums who exchanged to HBCUs in Alabama, Florida, Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Paint to Express
Information Session
Thursday, February 1, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Liberal Arts Engagement Hub
Come paint with Memorialize the Movement (MTM) and the Department of Chicano & Latino Studies as part of MTM's Community Creates Series at the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub.
Community Creates is a 12 month series designed to connect University of Minnesota students with local businesses, organizations, activists, organizers, and storytellers. Understanding the 'why' and the 'how' behind some of your favorite local shops, organizers, and activists lends a unique perspective to students interested in working within a community after college. Memorialize the Movement (MTM) offers students a chance to hear their stories and learn from their lived experiences. RSVP here.
Find more Paint to Express Dates here
Black History Month Kickoff
Thursday, February 1 from 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
The Whole Music Club
Join the Twin Cities Black Student Union for a night of performances, games, delicious food, and a chance to win prizes!
Film Screening: Take This Hammer
Film will play on a loop all day on Wednesdays and Saturdays from February 7 to February 17, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Weisman Art Museum
Drop in to the Target Studio for a film screening of the documentary Take This Hammer, produced and directed by Richard O. Moore, featuring essayist, intellectual and social critic, James Baldwin. The documentary follows Baldwin as he engages in conversations with Black community members and religious leaders, addressing focusing on unemployment, gentrification, police violence and the fate of the civil-rights movement.
Film runtime is 58 minutes.
Presented in conversation with the exhibition, More Various, More Beautiful, More Terrible, now on view in the Weisman’s Woodhouse Family Gallery.
Premiere Screening of Hope in the Struggle
Monday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey School of Public Affairs
This event is being held in person and is open to everyone, but registration is required. Register here.
Returning to the halls of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, where Dr. Josie Johnson left her mark as a senior fellow, Twin Cities PBS (TPT) will be hosting a premiere screening of “Hope in the Struggle” at the Cowles Auditorium on Monday, February 12 at 6:30 pm. The documentary showcases the life and work of Dr. Josie Johnson, a prominent civil rights activist both in Minnesota and nationwide. From lobbying for fair housing legislation in Minnesota to being part of the March on Washington to serving as the first Black person on the University of Minnesota’s Board of Regents, Josie’s story is one of perseverance, hope, and an unwavering commitment to serving and bettering her community. Join Executive Producer Daniel Bergin and members of Dr. Johnson’s family for a conversation after the film. Co-hosted by Twin Cities PBS and the Humphrey School.
Black History Month Webinar - How to Shift Your Money Mindset
Thursday, February 15 from 2 - 3 p.m.
This Black History Month, learn how to take your money to the next level by becoming intentional about saving, practicing mindful spending, and managing debt. Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche joins Fidelity representatives to talk about what it takes to build wealth now and in the future.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Recognizing your money influences and habits
- Maximizing your money during turbulent times
- Elevating your money mindset for today and the future
All Minnesota Black small business owners and their allies are invited to attend this one-of-a-kind event.
ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, founded by podcasting entrepreneur Sheletta Brundidge, will again host Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol where founders will meet with lawmakers and share their concerns as legislators appropriate billions of dollars.
It begins with a rally in the Rotunda at 11:30 a.m., followed by a meeting with legislators at noon, and concludes with a complimentary luncheon in The Vault (located in the Capitol basement) at 2 p.m.
Film Screening: The Price of the Ticket
Film will play on a loop all day on February 21, 24, and 28 from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Weisman Art Museum
Drop into the Target Studio for a film screening of James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket. Directed by Karen Thorsen in 1989, this documentary offers a look into the life and mind of James Baldwin, exploring his perspectives on race, sexuality, and the American experience. Featuring rare archival footage, insightful interviews with Baldwin's friends, colleagues, and scholars, as well as poignant readings from his works, the documentary elicits a nuanced portrait of Baldwin as a Black, gay man in America and the complex intersections that were central to his work.
Film runtime is 1 hr 27 minutes.
Presented in conversation with the exhibition, More Various, More Beautiful, More Terrible, now on view in the Weisman’s Woodhouse Family Gallery.
Film Screening & Discussion: The Price of the Ticket
Empowering Minds: Elevating Black Wellness
Thursday, February 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC)
To celebrate Black History Month, Extension’s African American Affinity Group will host an event with the theme “Empowering Minds: Elevating Black Wellness.” The event will be catered and feature performances as well as several guest speakers. All are welcome to attend, but you must RSVP. You may attend in person or virtually via Zoom.
Dr. King and the Long Arc Toward Reproductive Freedom and Justice
Off Campus Events
Twin Cities
Meet at Mia: Celebrating Black History
Thursday, February 8 at 5:00 p.m.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Celebrate Black History Month at Mia with music, art-making, and more. This event is free and open to the public; food and drink available for purchase.
Music by DJ Keezy, 5-9pm
Art-Making Zines with BakiBakiBaki, 5:30-8:30pm
Exhibition American Gothic: Gordon Parks and Ella Watson, 5-9pm
Conversations with Mia guides stationed in the galleries, 6-8pm
Self Guided Tour of work by African American artists on view now, 5-9pm
Food and Drink Agra Culture, 5-9pm
Black History Month: Maker Market
Graze | Provisions + Libations, North 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Get ready for an awesome in-person event celebrating Black History Month, where talented makers come together to showcase their creations!
MAAHMG Artist In Residence Azania Tripp Exhibition Opening Reception
1256 Penn Avenue N. Fourth Floor Minneapolis, MN 55411
The exhibition is a culinary storytelling art experience that shares the story of historical chefs within the Black/African American community and Black Minnesotan’s relationships with food. This show art exhibition is inspired by the book High on the Hog by Jessica Harris, and accompanying TV series by the same name. She is one of the artists in residency recipients at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery for 2023-2024.
Azania is an Artist In Residence at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG). The MAAHMG Artist In Residence program was funded by a grant from the McKnight Foundation.
Celebrate Black History in the Twin Cities
Magers & Quinn Booksellers
Join local authors and historians for an evening celebrating Black History in the Twin Cities. From internationally-reaching events to local family histories, Shannon Gibney, Carolyn Holbrook, Ebony J. Davis, and David Mura will discuss their work and present on fascinating local topics. Followed by Q&A and book signing.
Sankofa's Acoustic at UROC: A new live music series at UROC
Thursday, February 15 from 6 - 7 p.m. with Jamela Pettiford
Thursday, February 29 from 6 - 7 p.m. with Lewiee Blaze
Sankofa's Acoustic is a new monthly music series at UROC that's free and open to the public. Named for a word in the Ghanaian language of Twi that loosely means "using the past to move forward," the series features local musicians performing acoustic music in UROC's gallery.
Sankofa Acoustic's guests are invited to mingle in UROC's art gallery, and enjoy a cup of complimentary coffee or tea. Artists interested in performing during the series should contact Kimberly Jones at [email protected].
2nd Chance Outreach: The Sound of Gospel
February 16 - 17 at 7 p.m. and February 18 at 3 p.m.
The Goodale Theataer at the Cowles Center
An Anthology Depicting the Rich History and Evolution of Gospel Music
MAAHMG Children’s Reading Circle with Sideena Grace
Minneapolis NAACP Present Black Love 2024
Episcopal Church in Minnesota
Join the Minneapolis NAACP for a great conversation on BLACK LOVE. This event is for adults 18 and over, no children admitted.
Revive: A Black History Month Community Event
February 19 from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Capri Theatre
Community Engagement: Engage with various local non-proifts serving our community's youth and families and learn about their services. Get to know some of our local small business owners for your family's day-to-day needs.
Educational Entertainment: Experience captivating performances by local talents. A special viewing of Laurel Avenue, a groundbreaking film released in 1993 depicting a family in our very own Rondo neighborhood. Followed by a special live performance of "The Meeting," a powerful play that pays homage to Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr., followed by a special guest panel for a community engagement Q&A.
Black History Month - MIZ MARTHA - A Mixed Blood Theater Workshop
Uncover the narratives woven into our food and the historical threads that shape it in a unique Mixed Blood Theater workshop. Engage in an immersive experience that seamlessly blends food, acting, and history, inviting participants to share, play, act, and eat.
Black History Month Showcase
February 23 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Community Activity Center
Celebrate Black History Month with food, performances, community leaders, and vendors! Tickets are now available for $5 each.
Half Pint Co. Celebrates Black History Month
Arbeiter Brewing Company
Come join us for a free, kid-focused event paying homage to the rich and diverse history of the Black community with very special guest Jason Sole from the Institute of Aspiring Abolitionists. Get ready for an unforgettable day filled with music, activities, and culture.
MSR Education w/ Ken Foxworth – U of M Black Alumni Engagement and 120 Years of the UMAA
Members of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association's Black Alumni Network were featured on the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder's Education show with Kenneth Foxworth.