Celebrate Black History Month

February is Black History Month, and there are many ways for you to get involved, learn more, and celebrate. Here are a few suggestions for how to start—both on campus and off. And don’t forget to do your own research online or by asking a librarian for suggestions. 

EVENTS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES ON/NEAR CAMPUS

Black Panther Movie Night. Join Roots, an NYIT student organization dedicated to cultural empowerment, education, and awareness of African, Caribbean, and black culture, on the film’s opening night.
February 16, 6 – 9 p.m., AMC Loews, Lincoln Square 13, 1998 Broadway. Event limited to 20 students. For more information, contact rootsma@nyit.edu.

Civic Thursdays: Black History Month. In this thought-provoking series, you can help shape the conversation before participating in the discussion. Starting February 20, boards will be up in the Manhattan library for students to post their ideas and comments. Then on February 22, people can participate in an open discussion based on the notes.
February 22, 12:30 – 2 p.m., NYIT-Manhattan: 26 W. 61st Street, Student Lounge.

Black Excellence Showcase. The Black Student Unions at NYIT and LIU Post co-host a celebration of black culture featuring spoken word, dance, and musical performances.
February 23, 6:30 p.m., LIU Post—Lecture hall/Fishbowl, Hillwood. For more information, email bsuow@nyit.edu.

Black History Month Dinner. Join Student Involvement and Inclusion for dinner and performances.
February 23, 6 – 9 p.m., NYIT-Manhattan: 16 W. 61st Street, 11th floor auditorium.

Black History Month A-State Events: NYITCOM at A-State students, faculty, and staff can take advantage of a month-long array of activities, including Dr. Gabriel Tait’s lecture “In Search of a Midwife: Changing Times” on February 20.

Join NYIT clubs and organizations. Explore clubs in New York City and Long Island. NYIT’s chapters of the National Society for Black Engineers, for example, provide students with a community dedicated to helping them grow professionally (read more).

Exhibit. Visit the silo to the right of the entrance to the Student Activities Center to see an exhibit highlighting significant moments and figures of black history.
Ongoing. NYIT-Long Island.

Social Media. NYIT Career Services will be celebrating Black History Month with a special social media campaign during the last two weeks of February. Follow @nyitcareer for more.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS

Visit a museum or cultural institution. For example:

• The African American Museum of Nassau County promotes an understanding and appreciation of African American culture with a focus on Long Island and the Weeksville Heritage Center preserves the history of the 19th century African American community of Weeksville, Brooklyn.
• Other New York institutions, like The Museum of the City of New York and the New York City Parks Department, are hosting special events and exhibitions throughout the month.
• For those at NYIT-Vancouver, the VIFF (Vancouver International Film Centre) is hosting a month-long film series on African-North American film and history.
• Take a virtual tour of the National Museum of African American History & Culture in Washington, D.C.

Volunteer. Nonprofit organizations, like the NAACP, are always looking for volunteers to donate their time, their dollars, and their expertise. Do some research and volunteer with a group that speaks to you and your interests.

Read more. Ask a librarian for recommendations for books about black history or written by black authors. Many readers are also participating in #ReadingBlackout and reading only books written by black authors during the month of February. Here are a few suggestions from the New York Public Library to get you started.

Did we leave something out? Email us and we’ll update this story or submit your Black History Month event to the NYIT calendar.