Celebrating Black History Month 2024

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.

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Two Black women smiling in front of Sather Gate

Self-Guided Black History Campus Tour

Listen to our Self-Guided Black History Tour of UC Berkeley’s campus! Hear about the stories of Black students, faculty, and events from the past 100 years.

Transfuturism, a photography, oral history, and art activism project housed under The Justice Fleet

Celebrate Black transgender and nonbinary joy via Dr. Amber Johnson’s exhibit, Transfuturism

A photography, oral history, and art activism project housed under The Justice Fleet

Professor Hilton Als (English) and Professor Stephen Best (English and Townsend Center for the Humanities) on demand panel discu

Symposium: God Made My Face: A Collective Portrait of James Baldwin (Virtual)

Professor Hilton Als (English) and Professor Stephen Best (English and Townsend Center for the Humanities) on demand panel discussion at Brooklyn Museum Symposium regarding the recently published God Made My Face: A Collective Portrait of James Baldwin

Headshot of Gia White

Special congratulations to Gia White - 2024 Walter A. Robinson Excellence in Service Awardee

Gia White, Administrative Director at UC Berkeley's GIAS and IES, will be recognized at this year's UCBAC!

Headshot of Olufemi “Femi” Ogundele with the text: Affirmative action: What can other schools learn from UC Berkeley’s experienc

"I believe institutions are better, and Berkeley is better, having a diversity of students from a variety of backgrounds."

Drawn Walter Jordan headhshot with Cal football

Discover How UC Berkeley's First Black History Tour Started

Delve into the creation of UC Berkeley's first Self-Guided Black History Tour with Berkeley Voice.

Student, Staff, and Faculty Resources

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. 

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Black Wednesdays at UC Berkeley

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.

Honoring Black History Month

A message from leadership to the campus community.

Events

Text infographic with event details with outline of a woman's face and flowers

March 14th, 2024: Join the Black Leadership Alliance Council at the University of California (BLAC@UC) as it recognizes four emerging leaders in recognition of Women’s History Month. 

WNBA Panel, Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play Highlight USC Game Flyer

February 4, 2023: Cal Athletics WNBA Panel, Go Girls, Go Bears, Go Play Highlight after the USC Game with ESPN's Ros Gold-Onwude

Event flyer with text: Black Lives at Cal presents The Upload: A Show-And-Tell of Black History at Cal Saturday, February 17, 2024 12pm to 3pm

Berkeley Dining events

  • Thursday, 2/1 — Black History Month (Lunch) – All dining commons
  • Thursday, 2/8 — Black History Month (Lunch) – Clark Kerr
  • Thursday, 2/15 — Black History Month (Lunch) – Foothill
  • Tuesday, 2/27 — Black History Month (Dinner) – Crossroads
  • Thursday, 2/29 — Black History Month (Lunch) – All dining commons

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