Fresno State, committed to honoring the diversity of its student body, faculty and staff, will celebrate Black History Month throughout February with an array of public events.

At a commemoration ceremony on Jan. 22 for the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro told attendees that every member of the campus community plays a role in fostering an inclusive environment of respect, kindness, collaboration and accountability where all can thrive.

Events in recognition of Black History Month include:

  • 1: Black History Month Awards Banquet, presented by the African-American Historical and Cultural Museum of the San Joaquin Valley, 5 p.m. at the Regency Event Center. Dr. Francine Oputa, director of Fresno State’s Cross Cultural and Gender Center, will be honored as a 2020 trailblazer at the banquet.
  • Ongoing: Black History Month exhibition, featuring student, faculty and staff artwork, all month at the Dean’s Gallery of the College of Arts and Humanities.
  • Ongoing: Grapevine Magazine exhibition, Feb. 3 through March 30, Pete P. Peters Ellipse Balcony Gallery on the third floor of the Henry Madden Library. This exhibition honors the voices of African Americans in the Central Valley from 1969 to 1982, the active years of the local Grapevine Magazine. A public reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.
  • 3: Black History Month Kick-Off, presented by the Cross Cultural and Gender Center African American Programs and Services, from noon to 1 p.m. at the USU Balcony.
  • 3: Natural Hair Night, presented by the Cross Cultural and Gender Center African American Programs and Services, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Vintage Room. Speakers at this event will discuss the experiences African Americans have when wearing their natural hair and teach techniques on how to wash, moisturize and style hair.
  • 7: Walk in Peace: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Black History Month, a choral music presentation, 7:30 p.m. at the Concert Hall. Tickets: $6 for all, reservations are encouraged.
  • 10: Umoja, presented by the Cross Cultural and Gender Center Leadership Development Programs and Services, 7 p.m. at Thomas building (Room 110).
  • 14: Here Is the Love, presented by Cross Cultural and Gender Center Leadership Programs and Services and Leadership and Social Justice Programs, noon at the Speaker’s Platform.
  • 19: Celebration of Poet Sherley Anne Williams, literature Professor Samina Najmi will discuss the legacy of Williams, who died in 1999, and local students will share thoughts on her writing; 7 p.m. Betty Rodriguez Regional Library, 3040 N. Cedar Ave., Fresno.
  • 20: “The Struggle on Multiple Plains: California’s Long Civil Rights/Black Power Movement,” Dr. Herbert Ruffin II of Syracuse University, 11 a.m. to noon at Room 2206, Henry Madden Library.
  • 21: Here Is the Love, presented by Cross Cultural and Gender Center Leadership Programs and Services and Leadership and Social Justice Programs, noon at the Speaker’s Platform.
  • 22: Black Family Day, presented by Cross Cultural and Gender Center African American Programs and Services, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at North Gym (Room 118). This new event is designed to connect families to campus and available resources to help improve success of black students.
  • 23: Super Sunday, Fresno State representatives will speak at local black churches as part of CSU Super Sunday.

Feb. 28: Here Is the Love, presented by Cross Cultural and Gender Center Leadership Programs and Services and Leadership and Social Justice Programs, noon at the Speaker’s Platform.