Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of the accolades, achievements, and successes of Black/African Americans. Each February serves as both a reminder that Black history is American history, Black culture is American culture, and Black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America.
Black History Month started in 1925 as “Negro History Week” by Carter G. Woodson to raise awareness of African American’s contribution to civilization and American society. The event was first celebrated during a week in February 1926 that encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The celebration was expanded from one week to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial, to signify the importance of Black history, the Civil Rights movement, and the contributions of Black/African Americans have and continue to play in U.S. history.
We also bring education, celebration, and community-building to our campuses through a variety of programs. See below for a selection and join us in celebrating this month. A full listing and all of the details can be found in the link attached to this announcement below.
February 1st: Black Lives Matter & Pan African Flags
Salem Campus | UC | All of February
Free, open to the WU community & public,
February 6th: Roundtable Discussion #1 | Black is Healthy: Power in Autonomy & Community*
Salem Campus | Wilson Dining Room in Goudy Commons | 11:30a-1p
Meal vouchers available for students without a meal plan, staff, and faculty. Fill out the form below to claim one while supplies last. RSVP not necessary, but sharing interest in the attached form is helpful!
February 6th: Black History Month Kick-Off
Salem Campus | Bistro | 5:30-7pm
Free, open to the WU community.
February 13th: Roundtable Discussion #2 | “Religion & Labor” and “Black Love” by Travis Johnson**
Salem Campus | Hines Dining Room in Goudy Commons | 11:30a-1p
Meal vouchers available for students without a meal plan, staff, and faculty. Fill out the form below to claim one while supplies last. RSVP not necessary, but sharing interest in the attached form is helpful!
February 18th: Black History Month Meal in Goudy
Salem | 11:30am-1:30pm | Goudy
Meal vouchers available for students without a meal plan, staff, and faculty while supplies last. Please email
February 18th: Keynote & Workshop by Visiting Professor, Travis Johnson | Voice Of The Ancestors: A Consideration for the Future
Salem Campus | Cat Cavern | 5-6pm
Free, open to the WU community and public. Refreshments provided.
February 19th: POV as a POC
Salem Campus | 5-7pm | Renjen Center for Equity & Empowerment (E&E)
Free, open to WU students only. RSVP not required, but recommended so that we can ensure we cater enough food!
February 20th: BHM Bistro Flavors & Listening Hour
Salem Campus | Bistro | 7-8p
Free to sit in the Bistro, purchase of drink is required to be put in a drawing. Drawing participation is only open to WU students.
February 25th: Keynote & Workshop with Lauren Carlson | “emPOWERed Health: Lifestyle Medicine as a Tool for Healing & Justice”
Salem Campus | Alumni Lounge (3rd Floor UC) | 5-6pm
Free, open to the WU community and public. Refreshments provided.
February 27th: Roundtable Discussion #3 | Kendrick Lamar's "GNX" & Tyler the Creator's "CHROMAKOPIA"*
Meal vouchers available for students without a meal plan, staff, and faculty. Fill out the form below to claim one while supplies last. RSVP not necessary, but sharing interest in the attached form is helpful!
*Participation in one or more of these roundtable discussions will enter your name in a drawing at the end of the month for a vinyl of Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” and a poster of Tyler the Creator’s “CHROMAKOPIA”.
February 28th: Bird Walk with Professor David Craig
Salem Campus | Meet at Chicken Fountain | 9-10am
Free, open to the WU community.
*this Today@WU announcement will be updated to include more offerings at PNCA at a later time. Please check the full program listing to get the most up to date programming.
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We are committed to making our spaces and events accessible to all members of our communities. As a part of this commitment, we will do our best to provide any requested accommodations. Please contact Office of Student Affairs for the Portland campus and Juliane Corpus at for the Salem Campus for accommodations and any additional questions in regards to programming.