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.
Next Upcoming Event
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...
Future Events
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
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
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
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...
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.
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)
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...
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...
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 (...
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)
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).
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...
Allen After Hours / Africana Rocking Chair: A Conversation and Performance with Norman Teague
Thursday, February 16, 2023
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Norman Teague is a Chicago-based artist and designer who is changing the field for young Black creatives. Teague’s community-based practice addresses systemic inequities and the complexities of...
Woven, Worn, & Reborn: A Sustainable Black History Month Fashion Show
Saturday, February 18, 2023
7:30 pm
Carnegie Building
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...
Concert: Jazz Faculty
Sunday, February 19, 2023
7:30 pm
Finney Chapel
A faculty recital featuring members from the Conservatory Jazz division in Finney Chapel. This event is part of a series.
Nduduzo Makahthini Quartet
Monday, February 20, 2023
8:00 pm
Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse
Details coming soon.
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.
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...
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!?
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...
Black History Month Pool Party
Thursday, February 23, 2023
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Robert Carr Pool
Details coming soon.
Faculty & Guest Recital: "Linking Legacies"
Thursday, February 23, 2023
7:30 pm
Kulas Recital Hall
A faculty and guest 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 '...
Concert: Oberlin Orchestra
Friday, February 24, 2023
7:30 pm
Finney Chapel
The Oberlin Orchestra conducted by Raphael Jiménez will be performing in Finney Chapel. There will be a pre-concert talk beginning at 7:00 pm with Katherine Jolly and Meredith Gadsby about...
Fiber and Studio Arts Across the African Diaspora: Knitting and Crochet Circle
Saturday, February 25, 2023
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Allen Memorial Art Museum
Lisa Whitfield, a 1990 Oberlin College graduate and owner of For Ewe: An Inclusive Fiber Community in downtown Oberlin, will offer instruction on knitting and crocheting. Participants are welcome to...
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...
Guest Lecture: “Racialized Musical (Hi)stories” by Phil Ewell
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
5:00 pm
David H. Stull Recital Hall
A guest lecture on race and music theory with Philip Ewell in Stull Recital Hall. This is event is part of a series. ___ Philip Ewell is a Professor of Music Theory at Hunter College of the City...
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 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.