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.

This year, we are proud to continue this legacy in our chosen theme for Black History Month 2023: Remembering Our Roots. This theme embodies our commitment to studying Black culture and supporting Black people throughout history, recognizing the diversity and importance of Black experiences, narratives, and innovations.

Our schedule of events to commemorate Black History Month at Oberlin has been carefully curated to offer meaningful opportunities for engagement among all members of our campus and community.

Check back to this page for additional events all month.

View the full event schedule

Remembering Our Roots: Oberlin College Black History Month 2023.

Next Upcoming Event

Black Splitchers

Wednesday, February 8, 2023
10:00 pm to 1:00 am
Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)
Take a mid-week break and relax at the 'Sco. Hosted by the African Students Association (ASA)
Black Splitchers

Future Events

Alumni Soul Session

Friday, February 10, 2023
9:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Afrikan Heritage House (Lord-Saunders)
This special edition of our monthly Soul Session open mic will be hosted by Ryan Dearon '18, and will feature performances by faculty, staff, alumni, and current students. Photo of Ryan Dearon by...
Photo of Ryan Dearon

Celebrate Black History Everyday: A Road Trip to Detroit

Saturday, February 11, 2023
7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Detroit, Michigan
We are headed to Detroit! The MRC is hosting a road trip to Detroit, Michigan where students will be able to visit the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History as well as the Motown...
Skyline of Detroit, Michigan.

Black History Month Movie Night: Coach Carter

Saturday, February 11, 2023
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Jesse Philips Physical Education Center
Join the Black Student-Athlete Group (BSAG) for Movie Night featuring the screening of Coach Carter. Coach Carter is based on the true story of Richmond High School basketball coach Ken Carter (...
Black Student-Athlete Group (BSAG) Movie Night

Melanin Mondays

Monday, February 13, 2023
10:00 pm to 1:00 am
Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)
Hosted by the Oberlin College Black Musicians Guild (OCBMG)
Melanin Mondays

Douglass Day Transcribe-A-Thon

Tuesday, February 14, 2023
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
Oberlin College Libraries will celebrate Frederick Douglass’ birthday by participating in the Douglass Day Transcribe-A-Thon event on Tuesday, Feb. 14. This year's event features the papers...
illustration of Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Black Splitchers

Wednesday, February 15, 2023
10:00 pm to 1:00 am
Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)
Take a mid-week break at The 'Sco, hosted by Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA).
Black Splitchers

For the Love of the Land: A Read-In

Thursday, February 16, 2023
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Mudd Center, Seeley G.
Join us for a Black History Month Read-In event on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 4:30-5:30 pm in the Academic Commons (first floor of Mudd). The entire campus community is invited to participate in a public...
Digging Our Roots: A BHM Read-In

Concert: Jazz Faculty

Sunday, February 19, 2023
7:30 pm
Finney Chapel
Webcast Available
Watch the webcast – streamed live at concert time. Hear a performance in Finney Chapel featuring faculty members from the Conservatory's Jazz Division. They will be performing the...
green rectangle with red and yellow geometric shapes in band across the top and the words Remembering Our Roots, Oberlin College Black History Month 2023

Fat Tuesday

Tuesday, February 21, 2023
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Lord-Saunders Dining at Afrikan Heritage House
Come out to African Heritage House for dinner and an evening of jazz.
Fat Tuesday

Virginia Proctor Powell Florence: A Life, A Legacy

Tuesday, February 21, 2023
6:30 pm
Oberlin Public Library
Join the Oberlin Heritage Center for a program about Oberlin College alumna Virginia Proctor Powell Florence, who was the second African American and the first African American woman to earn a...
Virginia Proctor Powell Florence: A Life, A Legacy

Black Splitchers

Wednesday, February 22, 2023
10:00 pm to 1:00 am
Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)
Take a mid-week break at the 'Sco, hosted by And What!?
Black Splitchers

Mindful Meditation

Thursday, February 23, 2023
12:15 pm to 1:15 pm
Clinical therapist Libni López leads sessions of intentional mindfulness centered around a work of art followed by a discussion facilitated by Ellis Lane, Curatorial Assistant in the Allen...
In this collaged image, a Black woman reclines on a couch made of bright and busy patterns.

Concert: "Linking Legacies"

Thursday, February 23, 2023
7:30 pm
Kulas Recital Hall
A chamber concert featuring Dianna White-Gould '84, piano, Khari Joyner, cello, Cornelius Johnson, voice, Chris Jenkins, viola. They will perform works by H. Leslie Adams '55, Dolores White...

Concert: Oberlin Orchestra

Friday, February 24, 2023
7:30 pm
Finney Chapel
The Oberlin Orchestra, conducted by Raphael Jiménez, will perform in Finney Chapel. This program begins with a pre-concert talk at 7:00 pm with soprano soloist and Oberlin voice faculty member...
smiling woman with short curly brown hair wearing light blue-gray sweater

The Black History Month Ball

Saturday, February 25, 2023
8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Hotel at Oberlin
This year’s theme for ABUSUA’s annual Black History Month Ball, is "A Night in the Garden." Come join us at the Hotel at Oberlin on February 25 from 8 p.m. to midnight. Let...
The Black History Month Ball

Past Events

Black History Month Opening Dinner

Wednesday, February 1, 2023
5:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Lord-Saunders Dining at Afrikan Heritage House
Celebrate the beginning of Black History Month!
Black History Month Opening Dinner

Black Splitchers

Wednesday, February 1, 2023
10:00 pm to 1:00 am
Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)
Take a mid-week break and decompress with music and dancing. Hosted by ABUSUA.
Black Splitchers—ABUSUA

Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Thursday, February 2, 2023
7:30 pm
Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater
Ophelia: A Prism shifts focus from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the ingénue Ophelia- or rather, three aspects of herself. These contrasting Sister Selves (Green, Brass, and Orange) take...
Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Friday, February 3, 2023
7:30 pm
Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater
Ophelia: A Prism shifts focus from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the ingénue Ophelia- or rather, three aspects of herself. These contrasting Sister Selves (Green, Brass, and Orange) take...
Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Saturday, February 4, 2023
2:00 pm
Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater
Ophelia: A Prism shifts focus from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the ingénue Ophelia- or rather, three aspects of herself. These contrasting Sister Selves (Green, Brass, and Orange) take...
Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Telling New Stories about Black History in Oberlin

Saturday, February 4, 2023
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Updates from The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Theater Project and Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society Join the Zoom meeting: https://oberlin.zoom.us/j/83929956787 Meeting ID: 839 2995 6787...
Event poster with same details as description

Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Saturday, February 4, 2023
7:30 pm
Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater
Ophelia: A Prism shifts focus from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the ingénue Ophelia- or rather, three aspects of herself. These contrasting Sister Selves (Green, Brass, and Orange) take...
Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Sunday, February 5, 2023
2:00 pm
Irene and Alan Wurtzel Theater
Ophelia: A Prism shifts focus from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the ingénue Ophelia- or rather, three aspects of herself. These contrasting Sister Selves (Green, Brass, and Orange) take...
Theater Mainstage: Ophelia: A Prism

Melanin Mondays

Monday, February 6, 2023
10:00 pm to 1:00 am
Dionysus Club (the ’Sco)
Hosted by Sisters of the Yam (SOY) and Brotherhood.
Melanin Mondays