Celebrating Black History Month | Equity & Inclusion

Celebrating Black History Month 2025

February is Black History Month, a time for us to honor and celebrate the rich cultural heritage and triumphs of Black people and communities that are an indelible part of our country’s history.

Student, Staff, and Faculty Resources

African American Thriving Initiatives
African American Initiative Scholarship
African American Theme Program
African American Student Development Office
Black Staff & Faculty Organization - Celebrating 45 years!
Department of African American Studies
Fannie Lou Hamer Black Resource Center
Learn more about UC Berkeley's 15+ Black student organizations, such as the Black Student Union and Black Recruitment and Retention Center

African Americans and the Arts

Nationally, the 2024 theme for the month is “African Americans and the Arts,” inviting the celebration of the African, Caribbean, and the Black American influence in the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression. There are numerous arts opportunities to participate in, including the following events at Cal Performances this spring: Baldwin and Buckley at Cambridge, Nathalie Joachim, OKAN, Wild Up performing Julius Eastman's Femenine, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Angélique Kidjo

Sydney Roberts, the new ASUC president, holds a small sign with her name on it and her title. She is in Eshleman Hall standing in front of a wall that says ASUC with the ASUC symbol on it.

“As a Black woman, I know this university wasn't designed for me, and there are people in this world who don't want me to succeed. So empowering others who look like me to take on positions of power and mentoring them in a meaningful and impactful way so they may go on to lead is my greatest hope,” says ASUC President Sydney Roberts.

One of her goals, in partnership with other Black leaders, Chief of Staff Owen Knapper and Black-Community Endorsed Senator Sky Montgomery, is to increase students' sense of belonging on campus, especially students who have historically felt excluded from higher education.

Call to Action: NPHC ‘Divine Nine’ Plaza at UC Berkeley

The National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) on campus is excited to announce that we are in the beginning stages of creating an NPHC plaza on campus. This plaza will testify to the resilience of our organizations and the Black population as a whole and represent all that we strive to accomplish. If you are interested in learning more about this project, receiving updates, and/or supporting this project, please fill out this Google form to join our list serve.

Origins of Black History Month

Black History Month, observed annually in February, has its roots in the pioneering efforts of historian Carter G. Woodson, who, along with the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, launched Negro History Week in 1926. It was later expanded to a month-long celebration in 1976, coinciding with the bicentennial of the United States. The month honors the achievements, contributions, and history of Black individuals and communities. Learn more about the origins of Black History Month.

This month is also a time to acknowledge and mitigate adversities of Black people throughout the diaspora. In addition to commemorating Black History Month in February, it is essential to recognize that Black history should be acknowledged, taught, and celebrated year-round. This ongoing commitment fosters a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of our shared history. While February serves as a dedicated time to amplify Black voices and experiences, it's crucial to integrate Black history into educational curricula, cultural events, and community discussions throughout the entire year. We hope you join us in the continuous effort to honor, learn, and celebrate Black history beyond a designated month.

African Americans and Labor

This year's 2025 Black History Month theme, "African Americans and Labor," honors the transformative contributions of the Black Diaspora throughout history. From the ancestors forcibly brought to this land enslaved—whose stolen knowledge and labor built the foundations of this country—to the professionals, healers, artists, educators, and organizers shaping its future, Black/African American labor has been nothing short of revolutionary. While confronting entrenched injustices, the labor of the Black/African American community has birthed and inspired movements, sparked innovations, and nurtured enduring communities. As we celebrate the joy and strength within these histories, we also honor the transgenerational efforts to uplift, liberate, and eradicate oppressive systems.