Black History Month is a special opportunity to highlight the vital presence and achievements of Black Americans and People of Color across the country. Taking the time to get educated, involved in and honor Black history is something we should be doing consistently, but especially during February. The theme for 2022’s Black History Month will center its focus on Black Health and Wellness, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. With this in mind, students, staff and faculty should take advantage of these virtual and in-person events happening in and around the WSU Vancouver community.
Black History Month Virtual Festival
Held online by ASALH all month long, the Black History Month Virtual Festival will hold author book talks, panels and guest speakers who will discuss accomplishments of Black health professionals’ impact on the health and wellbeing of People of Color. A schedule of events can be found at asalh.org/festival/.
Heritage and History Month Events
The Smithsonian’s Heritage and History Month Events series centers around Black history, and is available virtually for participants to enjoy “vibrant performances, lectures and family activities that celebrate our nation’s rich cultural heritage and help us understand our shared history.” The February events can be found at www.si.edu/events/heritagemonth.
Both an event and resource hosted by WSU Vancouver Support and Empowerment for Employees of Color Association, The Social Hour holds a space to “connect, celebrate and just be.” Contact Obie Ford III for details through his email, obie3. ford@wsu.edu. The event will be held on Zoom from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., on Feb. 11.
Cultural Arts and Equity Hip-Hop Series
The Cultural Arts and Equity Hip-Hop Series will host Silver Chalice, also known as Tazha, the Diviner. Chalice is an Afro-Indigenous, queer/nonbinary artist, designer, performer and culture worker, who will speak about their work as, “an ode to the narratives of their creative and resilient ancestors that explores identity, healing and liberation for marginalized folks at all intersections.” Held on Zoom (Meeting ID: 952 9906 0926, passcode: 234613), and VDEN 110, Feb. 25 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Olivia is a senior studying English at WSU Vancouver.