Event Series

Black History Month

In 1926, Carter G. Woodson laid the groundwork for Black History Month by establishing the first Negro History Week, an event dedicated to celebrating the history, politics, and culture of Black people.

Our theme for Black History Month 2024 is Ode to Home. This year, much of our programming will explore ideas and experiences related to people of African descent creating and maintaining a physical home or a sense of home as a group and as individuals. Some events will focus on challenges such as not feeling a connection to home, not knowing where home is, or working through issues that come up at home. Other events will focus on history, with opportunities to learn about what home has looked like and how it was maintained in various Black communities. As we do every year, our Black History Month programming will also include celebrations. Most of our celebratory events this year are inspired by the classic musical, "The Wiz". Regardless of your background and interests, there will be many opportunities to commemorate this special time of the year!

View the full event schedule

Oberlin College Black History Month 2024 Logo

Past Events

BHM 'Sco Night

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

10:00 pm to 1:00 am EST

Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)

Take a mid-week break and relax at the 'Sco. Hosted by the Black History Month Committee.

Faculty Recital: "Linking Legacies"

Thursday, February 8, 2024

7:30 pm EST

Kulas Recital Hall

Webcast Available

Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. A faculty and guest chamber music concert in Kulas Recital Hall. Organized by violist and Associate Dean for Academic Support Chris Jenkins ,...

F1RST Friday: Breaking Barriers and Building Leaders

Friday, February 9, 2024

12:00 pm to 1:00 pm EST

Price House

Join CSS and Student Leadership and Involvement for a conversation around Black Leadership and Success! What challenges do Black leaders face - and what strategies do they use to overcome them? Hear...

Soul Session Allstars

Friday, February 9, 2024

9:00 pm to 11:30 pm EST

Afrikan Heritage House (Lord-Saunders)

This special edition of our monthly Soul Session open mic will be hosted by Daniella Pruitt '19 and Yemko Pryor '18. It will feature performances by faculty, staff, alumni, and current...

Home Neither Here Nor There

Saturday, February 10, 2024

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm EST

Afrikan Heritage House (Lord-Saunders)

Nearly 15 years ago we developed a program called "Home: Neither Here nor There", where we invite guests who were the first in their families to attend and finish college to speak with...

Artist Recital Series: Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar

Saturday, February 10, 2024

7:30 pm EST

Finney Chapel

Hear the gospel choir Trey McLaughlin & The Sounds of Zamar —bringing the sound of uniquely unified voices that transcend boundaries. With original songs and fresh adaptations of gospel,...

Fat Tuesday Dinner

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

5:00 pm to 7:30 pm EST

Lord-Saunders Dining at Afrikan Heritage House

Come out to African Heritage House for dinner and music.

Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm EST

Mudd Center, Seeley G.

Participate in a national crowdsourcing transcription project in honor of the birthday of Frederick Douglass (1818-1895) with a focus on his general correspondence

Gallery Talk with Michael Roman and A.G. Miller

Thursday, February 15, 2024

12:15 pm EST

Allen Memorial Art Museum

Join us in the exhibition The Body, the Host: HIV/AIDS and Christianity to hear Michael Roman, Assistant Professor of Studio Art and Africana Studies, speak about his artwork on view. A.G. Miller,...

No Place Like Home: The Black History Month Fashion Show

Saturday, February 17, 2024

7:00 pm to 9:00 pm EST

Hales Gymnasium

The Black History Month fashion show has become one of the signature events of Oberlin’s Black History Month celebration in recent years. In addition to showcasing fashionable and creative...

Ease on Down the Sco: Fashion Show After Party

Saturday, February 17, 2024

10:00 pm to 1:00 am EST

Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)

After enjoying the Black History Month Fashion Show, join the cast and crew for a fun night filled with great vibes, photo opportunities, and a chance to show your best Wiz inspired outfit.

Campus Safety: Building Trust in Diverse Communities

Monday, February 19, 2024

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm EST

Afrikan Heritage House (Lord-Saunders)

Join us for an open dialogue conversation between Darius Butler '24 and Campus Safety Supervisors Charly Yaniga and Leondist DuVall, as we explore the application of peace principles and conflict...

Afro-Latine Workshop

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

5:00 pm to 7:30 pm EST

Mudd Center, Seeley G.

This event will explore the intersectionality of being Black and Latine. In theme with the concept of diaspora, we will talk about how Blackness takes part in our food, communities, cultures,...

LAL X ABUSUA 'Sco Night

Friday, February 23, 2024

9:00 pm to 11:30 pm EST

Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)

Get ready for an electrifying night! LAL's Latinx 'Sco night returns, starring DJ Bembona, a sensational Afro-Puerto Rican-Panamanian talent from NYC, set to play with vibrant Latine beats...

Community Day

Saturday, February 24, 2024

12:00 pm to 4:00 pm EST

Allen Memorial Art Museum

The Allen Memorial Art Museum presents an afternoon of activities for art lovers of all ages! In conjunction with Black History Month, we will explore a featured artist and get inspiration for a...

A Walk Through Emerald City: The Black History Month Ball

Saturday, February 24, 2024

8:00 pm to 11:30 pm EST

Hotel at Oberlin

This year’s theme for ABUSUA’s annual Black History Month Ball, is "A Walk Through Emerald City." Come join us at the Hotel at Oberlin on February 24 from 8 p.m. to midnight...

Black History Trivia Night

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm EST

Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse

Do you know who invented the three-light traffic signal? If so, assemble a team! Come join us for a fun filled night and show off your knowledge of Black History Through the Decades!

Concert: Oberlin Sinfonietta

Thursday, February 29, 2024

7:30 pm EST

Warner Concert Hall

Webcast Available

Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. Oberlin Sinfonietta focuses on a wide range of compositions by composers from the last 100 years. This concert will be conducted by Timothy...

Fundamentals of Yoruba Art

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

4:45 pm EST

Allen Memorial Art Building

A lecture on the fundamentals of Yoruba art by Babatunde Lawal. Lawal is an art historian at Virginia Commonwealth University

Detroit Museums Day Trip

Saturday, March 9, 2024

7:00 am to 8:00 pm EST

Detroit, MI

The MRC is hosting a day trip to Detroit for Black History Month! Students will visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History as well as the Motown museum. Following the first museum...