Black History Month

Naava Wilson '25 performs during the 2022 Black History Month Gala.

Each February, Muhlenberg celebrates Black History Month, with campus-wide programming sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Life, the Black Students Association and the Black Students Association. 

In recent years, the celebration has embraced a theme that ties together a central element across the events and programs. In 2022, the Muhlenberg community will embrace the beauty and power of the Black experience with the theme “A Love Letter to Blackness.” This uplifting theme is designed to express love for Blackness in a world full of anti-Blackness.

This year, Muhlenberg College is expanding that celebration with the theme of “A Love Letter to Black Activism: Celebrating Agents of Change Around the World.”

Programming includes a lecture by Princeton University’s Ruha Benjamin, a professor of African American studies, a panel discussion with Black activists and an activism workshop and a film screening for Neptune Frost.

Below is a full listing of the events and programs this month.

A Love Letter to Black Activism: Celebrating Agents of Change Around The World

Viral Justice with Dr. Ruha Benjamin, professor of African American studies at Princeton University
Thursday, February 16 at 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Miller Forum in Moyer Hall

Neptune Frost Film Screening
Friday, February 24 at 4 p.m.
Civic Theatre

The Office of Multicultural Life Celebration of Black Activism at Muhlenberg
Sunday, February 26 at 2 p.m., Seegers Union Event Space

Learning From Agents of Change: A Conversation with Black Activists
Monday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. via Zoom

Becoming Agents of Change: An Activism Workshop
Tuesday, February 28 at 5:30 p.m. - 7p.m., location TBA

The following offices and departments co-organized the BHM programming as a whole: The Chief Diversity Officer; The Faculty Fellow in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; The Africana Studies Program; The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program; the Office of Multicultural Life. The Black Student Association, Queer Trans People of Color Collective and the Men of Color Network also contributed to planning the OML celebration, and Drew Swedberg '17, co-organized the film screening alongside Emanuela Kucik.

The co-sponsors for the event with Dr. Benjamin are as follows: The Office of the Chief Diversity Officer; the Faculty Fellowship Program in DEI Initiatives; the Africana Studies Program; the Office of the Provost; the Office of the President; the Office of the Dean of Students; the Center for Ethics; Mathematics and Computer Science; Media and Communication; Sociology and Anthropology; the Office of Prevention Education; the Office of Equity and Title IX.

Additionally, here is the breakdown of the co-organizers for each of the individual events:

  • Dr. Benjamin's Event: Brooke Vick; Emanuela Kucik; Connie Wolfe; Lori Flatto
  • Neptune Frost Screening: Drew Swedberg; Emanuela Kucik
  • OML Celebration: Robin Riley-Casey; BSA; QTPOCC; MCN;
  • Activism Panel: Emanuela Kucik; Elena FitzPatrick Sifford
  • Activism Workshop: Emanuela Kucik; Elena FitzPatrick Sifford
Media Gallery

Black History Month Gala: "A Love Letter to Blackness"

Image for The Mayhem Step Team performs at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

The Mayhem Step Team performs at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for The Mayhem Step Team performs at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

The Mayhem Step Team performs at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for The Mayhem Step Team performs at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

The Mayhem Step Team performs at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for The Rejoice! Gospel Choir, directed by Eric Thompson '10, performs at the Black history Month Gala in February 2022.

The Rejoice! Gospel Choir, directed by Eric Thompson '10, performs at the Black history Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Cristina Braynen, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Life, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Cristina Braynen, assistant director of the Office of Multicultural Life, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Robin Riley-Casey, associate dean of students and diversity initiatives and director of the Office of Multicultural Life, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Robin Riley-Casey, associate dean of students and diversity initiatives and director of the Office of Multicultural Life, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Mustafa Hall '23 performs poetry during the Black History Gala in February 2022.

Mustafa Hall '23 performs poetry during the Black History Gala in February 2022.

Image for Richeta Cubano '24 performs her spoken word poetry during the Black History Gala in February 2022.

Richeta Cubano '24 performs her spoken word poetry during the Black History Gala in February 2022.

Image for Bianca Bolt '23 and Hailey Petrus '23 speak at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Bianca Bolt '23 and Hailey Petrus '23 speak at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Kelsey Casimir '23 speaks during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Kelsey Casimir '23 speaks during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Karen Britt, Ph.D., an adjunct professor in the Muhlenberg College Schools of Graduate and Continuing Education, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Karen Britt, Ph.D., an adjunct professor in the Muhlenberg College Schools of Graduate and Continuing Education, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Hailey Petrus '23 and Emanuela Kucik, assistant professor of English and Africana studies, embrace at the Black History Gala in February 2022.

Hailey Petrus '23 and Emanuela Kucik, assistant professor of English and Africana studies, embrace at the Black History Gala in February 2022.

Image for Naava Wilson '25 performs during the 2022 Black History Month Gala.

Naava Wilson '25 performs during the 2022 Black History Month Gala.

Image for Zaire Carter '22, the Student Government Association president, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Zaire Carter '22, the Student Government Association president, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Haashan Batts, an Allentown community organizer, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Haashan Batts, an Allentown community organizer, speaks at the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Matthew McCray '24 speaks during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Matthew McCray '24 speaks during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Hailey Petrus '23, center, was recognized during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Hailey Petrus '23, center, was recognized during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Image for Aliya Kenyatta, a Muhlenberg counselor, and Zaire Carter '22, the Student Government Association president, were recognized during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.

Aliya Kenyatta, a Muhlenberg counselor, and Zaire Carter '22, the Student Government Association president, were recognized during the Black History Month Gala in February 2022.