Happy Black History Month!
Emerson celebrates equity, inclusion, and the beautiful and rich identities of our students, staff, faculty, and community neighbors.
Black History Month acknowledges the often overlooked contributions of Black people. It is a time of intentional remembering and reflecting on the legacy of racialized oppression, and celebrating the many ways that Black people and Black culture have shaped global societies.
Black History Month is observed annually in February in the United States and Canada, and during other months throughout the world.
The 2025 theme is African Americans and Labor. This year’s theme serves to spotlight the
exploitation of Black labor, visible and invisible, and the 100th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids, the first predominantly Black labor union that organized efforts to advance better conditions and compensation for Black railway workers.
Learn more by joining Intercultural Student Affairs and EBONI in their daily reading challenge, or explore the biographies of Black figures in history such Kenneth Brown, a civil rights activist with dwarfism; sculptor Edmonia Lewis, filmmaker Julie Dash, and architect Philip G. Freelon. Consider researching lesser-known but critically important times in American history like Reconstruction, the period following the U.S. Civil War when Black people were legally free from slavery but their social rights had not yet been amended into the Constitution.
We celebrate our Black and African American community members this Black History Month and always.
Intercultural Student Affairs Daily Black History Month Challenge
Intercultural Student Affairs and EBONI (Emerson’sBlack Organization with Natural Interest) invite all Emersonians to participate in a Daily Black History Month Challenge, a series of interactive sessions celebrating Black histories, trailblazers, and cultural contributions—past, present, and future. These gatherings are designed for education, celebration, and kinship.
All sessions are in person at the Cultural Center or on Zoom.
Session Schedule:
- Friday 2/14 2:00 p.m. – Pop Culture Activism: Exploring the Impact of This is America and Self-Destruction
- Tuesday 2/18 10:00 a.m. – Black Queer Women in Early Blues & Jazz
- Wednesday 2/19 12:00 p.m. – Black Culture & Anime
- Thursday 2/20 2:00 p.m. – TBD
- Friday 2/21 4:00 p.m. – Black Actors in Horror Genre
- Monday 2/24 10:00 a.m. – Session with Miguel
- Tuesday 2/25 8:00 p.m. – Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl ‘25 Performance Rewatch & Discussion
- Wednesday 2/26 2:00 p.m. – Session with Miguel
- Thursday 2/27 4:00 p.m. – Highlighting Black Queerness during the Harlem Renaissance
- Friday 2/28 10:00 a.m. – Lift Every Voice
Black Out Block Party: Open to the Entire Emerson Community!
Friday, February 21, 4-6 p.m.
Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gym and Skybox
Hosted by Resident Assistants from Piano Row, 2 Boylston Place, Little Building, Colonial, and Paramount, co-sponsored by EBONI, Emerson Intercultural, and SGA.
Music, card games, a basketball game, and cuisines from the African Diaspora, including Caribbean, West African, and Soul food catered from local Black-owned restaurants.
Divine 9 Black Greeks Luncheon
Tuesday, February 2
5, 12-2 p.m.
Emerson Dining Center 122 Boylston St. Lower Level
Co-Sponsored by EBONI & Emerson Intercultural
In celebration of Black History Month, join EBONI and Intercultural Student Affairs for lunch in the lower level of the Dining Center. If you don’t have an Emerson meal plan, no worries—we can provide you with a meal pass.
Rendezvous & Discussion at The Embrace MLK Statue in the Boston Common
Thursday, February 27, 12-1 p.m.
Meet at 172 Boylston Street Lobby (or meet us at the statue at 12:15 p.m.).
Co-Sponsored by EBONI & Emerson Intercultural
COMMUNITY EVENTS
BOSTON
Explore Meet Boston’s list of Black History Month events throughout the Boston area, including tours, performances, and Black-owned restaurants.
LOS ANGELES
Discover Los Angeles has compiled a Guide to Black History Month events in Los Angeles, including The Story of Us, a photography exhibit of Black Angelenos by LA-based photographer Leroy Hamilton.
NETHERLANDS
Learn more about how the Netherlands celebrates Black History Month during Rotterdam’s Black Art Weekend, a four-day event celebrating Black History, art, and culture.
LEARN MORE
From Essence.com:
Black Like That: How We Celebrate Black History Month Across The Globe.
“From Canada and the United Kingdom to Costa Rica and Australia, Black people’s impact extends far beyond US borders. Here’s how Black Excellence is celebrated in some unexpected places.”