The Black Student Union is teaming up with several organizations in honor of Black History Month, where they hope to promote relationships between black students and faculty and provide black students with mentors and networking opportunities.
Aside from the scheduled events, BSU will also be offering candy grams –– small candies, gifts and flowers for students to give to friends –– in the Student Union throughout the week of Feb. 12. They will also be hosting a talk to promote sex education and healthy sex habits though a fun game during the month, according to BSU President Florence Ayeni.
Outside of BSU, Transit Theatre will be offering a free screening of the film “Harriet” on Tuesday and an event featuring human rights activist and former Green Party vice presidential candidate Ajamu Baraka takes place on Saturday.
Feb. 6: Health and wellness fair
BSU will conduct a health and wellness fair in the SU lobby on Feb. 6 from 12-4 p.m. The fair will include dog therapy, face masks, massages, dance classes and a prize raffle. The fair is meant to promote healthy ways for students to cope with heavy school and work loads as well as mental-health support.
Feb. 8: Ajamu Baraka talk
Ajamu Baraka, human rights activist and former Green Party vice presidential candidate, will be speaking at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library in Buffalo to facilitate a lecture on war and imperialism, using his perspective as a Vietnam War veteran, in celebration of Black History Month.
He will also take part in a Q&A session after his presentation. The lecture will take place from 12-3 p.m.
Feb. 11: “Harriet” showing
Across the nation, theaters will be offering free showings of the movie “Harriet” Tuesday in honor of Black History Month. The Buffalo showings will be held at Regal Transit Center at both 7 and 9:30 p.m. In order to attend the free events, patrons must sign up online.
The two-hour film stars Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom Jr. and its showings promote a conversation about history and racial relations, while allowing viewers to enjoy the film for free.
Feb. 15: Community service
On Feb. 15 from 5-8:30 p.m. BSU will be volunteering at Compass House Youth Shelter. Compass House is a shelter that provides care for runaway and homeless youth. BSU will be donating food as well as helping with cooking and cleaning and recommends students participate.
Feb. 20: BSU gallery
BSU will present an African American history gallery in SU 210 on Feb. 20. BSU plans on showcasing the history of their club and how they have continued to thrive since 1967.
The gallery should include posters describing the history of BSU, as the event takes place annually.
Feb. 29: Black faculty mixer
BSU will be hosting a mixer –– a casual meeting –– with UB’s black faculty in hopes of allowing students to get to know the African and African American Studies department as well as black professors and staff representing different departments.
BSU hopes to highlight the importance of students having mentors that can resonate with their needs. They are also planning on allowing high school students to attend the event to connect with fellow black students and professors.
Reilly Mullen is the asst. News and features editor and can be reached at reilly.mullen@ubspectrum.com or on Twitter @ReillyMMullen.
Reilly Mullen is the editor-in-chief at The Spectrum. She is a senior majoring in political science with a journalism certificate. She enjoys Dunkin’ iced lattes and Scrabble. A former web, features, news and managing editor, she is a columnist at heart but has covered everything from UB Football to breaking news.
