Celebrated across the nation as well as in other parts of the world, Black History Month recognition has been a long-standing tradition at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD).

This year’s event, “Celebrating Black Scholars Doing Black Scholarship,” hosted by the College of Humanities & Social Science (CHSS) and the Center for Critical Race Studies (CCRS), provides a platform for CHSS African-American faculty to discuss their work (commonly referred to “Applied Africana Studies”).

“The events this year for Black History Month are powerful and engaging experiences for our students, faculty, and staff,” said CHSS Assistant Dean Crystal Guillory. “I’m honored that my fellow CHSS colleagues jumped at the opportunity to present their most meaningful scholarship that is deserving of a public platform.”

For the month of February, the following events will be featured:

February 18:The Uses and Misuses of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr:
Reflections on 30 Day Journey with Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Jonathan Chism, Assistant Professor, History
1-2 p.m.
One Main Building, Room N1099

February 19: Hero or Villain: A Deeper Look into Erik Killmonger of Marvel’s Black Panther
Dr. Darius Benton, Assistant Professor, Communications Studies
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
One Main Building, Room N1099

February 27: African American Psychology: Examinations for A Positive Perspective
Dr. Stacie De Freitas, Associate Professor, Psychology
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
One Main Building, Room N1099

UHD’s Center for Diversity & Inclusion is hosting the following events in recognition of Black History Month:

Feb. 20: “State of the Black Student at UHD”
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
One Main Building, Room N1099

Feb. 27: Soul Food Dinner*
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Academic Building, White Oak Room, Room A300
*students-only

“The “State of the Black Student at UHD” is a series that's now in its third year. It's a student-led discussion focusing on the concerns of African-American students at UHD,” said Dr. John Hudson, director of Center for Diversity & Inclusion. “The concept began as a discussion in the Center’s lounge among a group of African-American students a few years ago. It’s very important that we, as a campus community, attend to the concerns of these students and to find ways to address their concerns.”

Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. With official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada; it has more recently been observed unofficially in Ireland, The Netherlands and The United Kingdom. It is celebrated in February in the U.S. and Canada, but in Ireland, The Netherlands and the UK it’s observed in October.

The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week.”