Adelphi Celebrates Black History Month

This February, Adelphi University joins the millions of Americans celebrating Black History Month. The University is hosting events ranging from art exhibits to lectures and readings on the Garden City campus.

The month kicks off on Thursday, February 6, with the 18th Annual Black History Month celebration, hosted by Adelphi Athletics. Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Jacqueline Jones LaMon, JD, and Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari, PhD, will lead conversations on a number of topics relevant to Adelphi’s student body, faculty and staff. The discussions will be in the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (Adelphi PAC) Olmsted Theatre from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

On Sunday, February 9, there will be a public reception in the lobby of Swirbul Library for the art exhibit From Philly by Way of Richmond, With Love. The exhibit comprises selections from New York City-based artist Damien Davis‘s original exhibition, Color Cargo. The work examines the role of wood in movement and containment and the subjective power of color. The public reception is from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The exhibit runs until February 29.

The Center for African, Black and Caribbean Studies hosts an African American Read-In on Thursday, February 20. The event features readings from literary works by black writers and is part of a national initiative of the African American Literary Read-In, which aims to promote literacy and a deeper understanding of black culture. The read-in will be in the main room of Angello Alumni House from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, February 26, Yohuru Williams, PhD, history professor, McQuinn Distinguished Chair and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, presents “Simply Because People Refuse to See Me: The Black Lives Matter Movement in Historical Context,” this year’s John Hope Franklin Distinguished Lecture. Dr. Williams will explore the history of the struggle for racial equality in the United States from the Civil Rights era to contemporary times. The lecture will be in the Olmsted Theatre at the Adelphi PAC from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A book signing will follow the Q&A session. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is suggested.

On Thursday, February 27, award-winning author Tayari Jones will discuss her new book, An American Marriage: A Love Story Torn Apart by Social Injustice. Jones’s New York Times bestselling novel about a newlywed African American couple explores the thorny issues of race and the criminal justice system. Join the fireside chat in the Olmsted Theatre at the Performing Arts Center from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This event is free for Adelphi University students, faculty and staff. Admission for alumni and community members is $5.

Adelphi’s Black History Month celebration extends to March and beyond. Below are the events that are included in the commemoration.

Harvard Professor Elizabeth Hinton, PhD, will speak on the topic “The Making of Mass Incarceration” at the James Baldwin Distinguished Lecture on Literary and Social Criticism at Adelphi University on Wednesday, March 25. Dr. Hinton, professor of History and African and African American Studies at Harvard University, will discuss the history of the wars on crime and drugs and what can be done to bring about meaningful change. The event will be in Swirbul Library, Room 5S, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A book signing will follow the Q&A session. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is suggested.

From March 18 through May 6, there will be a series of readings and discussions about the works of the late, great author Toni Morrison. This event, funded by the New York State Humanities Council (HUMANITIESNY) and known as the Community Developed Reading and Discussion Group, will be led by the Center for African, Black and Caribbean Studies’ director and professor of history, Marsha J. Tyson Darling, PhD.