The University of Toledo will celebrate the heritage and history of African Americans with a series of events and activities for students, faculty and staff throughout Black History Month.
“We are excited to celebrate Black History Month this year, we have worked hard to compile a list of events that exemplified the spirit of celebrating the history of Black people as well as help to understand that Black history is not just a month,” said Kyndra Gaines, multicultural program manager in the Office of Multicultural Student Success. “Throughout the year Black history is being made, celebrated and needs to be appreciated.”
“This year, we wanted to ensure student voices were being heard about how they wanted to celebrate Black History Month. We will be partnering with minority business owners from the community like Crysstyles Salon and J’Maes Home Cooking. Our office will also collaborate with campus partners like TRIO, the Eberly Center for Women, the Center for Racial Equity and Black Student Excellence, and the Black Student Union, which we have worked hard with in creating great programs that tie in the Toledo community and The University of Toledo.”
The celebration begins with the annual Black History Month Kick-Off Event, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Success and the Black Student Union, from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room.
For more information and to RSVP, visit the event’s Invonet page.
Additional Black History Month events include:
Monday, Feb. 6
• Beauty Shop Talk, with OMSS and Crysstyles Hair Salon, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room.
• Barber Shop Talk with OMSS, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Thompson Student Union Auditorium.
Tuesday, Feb. 7
• TAWL Mentoring Meet and Greet, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the OMSS office, Thompson Student Union Room 2500.
Wednesday, Feb. 15
• Community Service: Family House, OMSS, Family House, BSU and National Pan-Hellenic Council, all day in the OMSS office, Thompson Student Union Room 2500.
Thursday, Feb. 16
• Poetry Night, with OMSS and TRIO, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Thompson Student Union Room 2584.
Saturday, Feb. 18
• Meet the Author: Raineasha Williams-Fox, a Black writer from Detroit who is the author of the children’s book “Radiant Black Girl,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Eberly Center for Women.
Monday, Feb. 20
• African American Professional Panel, with OMSS, TRIO and Career Services and hosted by Gaines, from 6 to 8 p.m. via Webex.
For more information, including a full list of events and online resources, visit the Office of Multicultural Student Success website.
Planning committees for the 2023 and 2024 Black History Months also are open to all UToledo students, faculty and staff. Those interested in serving on a committee should email omss@utoledo.edu.