This story will be updated throughout February.
Michigan State University celebrates Black History Month each year throughout the month of February. This month is dedicated to highlighting the U.S. history of Black and African American people. Colleges, units and student organizations will host commemorative events across campus.
This year, the MSU Museum will highlight its “Honor in Action” curriculum guide, a joyful celebration of the people, community and history of Detroit’s historic Black Bottom neighborhood. The guide, developed in alignment with state and other education standards, features a collection of lesson plans, activities and discussion prompts that connect the historical legacies of Black Americans in Detroit with contemporary issues.
A cornerstone MSU program of Black History Month is the "Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series “Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey,” hosted by the College of Osteopathic Medicine. For 25 years, this series has given the community opportunities to interact with living icons of the American Civil Rights Movement, from education, business, industry, entertainment and government.
This year, the lecture series will feature three special guests, including Barbara Ross-Lee, a physician, academic and the first African American woman to serve as dean of a U.S. medical school; Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, an activist, theologian, author, musician and documentary filmmaker; and Russell J. Ledet, a physician working at the intersection of social activism and medical innovation. Each speaker event will be available live in-person as well as via Zoom. More details about the series are available in the event listing below.
The centerpiece exhibition this month, presented by the MSU Museum, is “Techno: The Rise of Detroit’s Machine Music.” The exhibition explores Detroit’s role as the birthplace of Techno music and its connection to Afrofuturism. The exhibition features several compelling elements that bring the history and impact of Techno to life.
“Techno is more than music,” said Professor of English and the Val Berryman Curator of History Julian Chambliss, curator of the exhibition. “It’s a cultural movement that captures Detroit’s resilience and creativity.” Event details are below.
In addition to these events, you can tune into archived material dating back sixty years when, on Feb. 11, 1965, Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to nearly 4,000 MSU students and community members in the MSU Auditorium. King addressed three world challenges: a need to achieve a “world-brotherhood” perspective, abolishing the notion of superior and inferior races and ridding the world of segregation. That recording is available online through On the Banks of the Red Cedar.
Black History Month events
All events are listed in Eastern time.
Month-long
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration’s “Stuff the Library” book drive
Support MSU’s goals to fill Grand Rapids Public Schools with books on topics of social justice with diverse representation. For more information, visit the Center for Community Engaged Learning or “Stuff the Library” giving page.
MSU Detroit Center and Michigan Traditional Art Projects Presents “Black Threads – Quilt Arts, Activism & Resistance”
The exhibit features quilts that tell the stories of African and African American history. The featured quilts are a part of the Quilt Index: Black Diaspora Quilt History Project. The exhibit opens on February 14 and will be available throughout May. For more information visit the Detroit Center website.
Saturday, Feb. 1
11 a.m. — Black Alumni presents: Sankofa Summit Brunch
Michigan State University Black Alumni present the Sankofa Summit Brunch in the MSU Union Ballroom. Join in for food, music, a raffle and fellowship. Registration is required.
6 p.m. — MSU Broad Art Museum presents “Art Speaks: Reparations Reframed”
What can art teach us about justice? Join the MSU Broad Art Museum for a panel with the Justice League of Greater Lansing. The program is part of the exhibition, “Farmland: Food, Justice and Sovereignty,” on view through July 27. Registration is requested.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
MSU Museum presents “Techno: The Rise of Detroit’s Machine Music”
Located in MSU Museum’s temporary location at 311 Abbot Road in downtown East Lansing, this exhibit explores Detroit’s role as the birthplace of Techno music and its connection to Afrofuturism. The exhibition will be on display through April 30.
Wednesday, Feb. 5
5 p.m. — Cultural Connections
To celebrate Black History Month, MSU Broad College of Business Multicultural Business Programs, the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy and MSU Black Alumni, in collaboration with MSU Athletics, will host a tabling/networking event with local Black businesses featuring a discussion to celebrate Black History Month. Register for the event.
5:30 p.m. — U.S. premiere screening of “No Chains, No Masters”
The MSU International Studies and Programs will host a screening of the 2024 French film “No Chains, No Masters” at the Kellogg Center Auditorium. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the film’s director, Simon Moutaïrou, and a reception. MSU is among only a handful of American universities selected to debut the film in the nation. Registration is available on Eventbrite.
6:15 p.m. — Spoken Words: Celebrating Spartans Contributing to Black History
This discussion aims to provide a historical overview of the legacy and contributions that Spartans, from past and present, have made to Black history. Register for the event.
Thursday, Feb. 6
3 p.m. — Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards
The Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion presents the 35th annual awards at the University Club. Join in recognition of MSU’s individual, unit, team and lifetime contributions to inclusive excellence on campus. RSVP for the event.
Friday, Feb. 7
3:30 p.m. — MSU Multicultural Center open house
By opening the first freestanding building in the heart of campus, MSU honors the legacy of decades-long student advocacy. Join the open house to help support the culmination of that time and energy. RSVP on the Multicultural Center website.
Wednesday, Feb. 12
7 p.m. — Screening of “We Were Here: The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe”
Join award-winning film director Fred Kudjo Kuwornu for a special screening and discussion of his newest film, “We Were Here — The Untold History of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe.” Registration is not required for this event, located in Wells Hall B115. Visit IDI events for more information.
Friday, Feb. 14
Noon — 2nd Annual Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon @MSU
In celebration of Frederick Douglass' birthday, join the MSU community in transcribing the African American Perspectives Collection at the Library of Congress. The celebration focuses on food, joy and action, oriented around a transcribe-a-thon that brings together thousands of participants at more than 100 simultaneous events around the world. Learn more and register for this event on the MSU Libraries website.
Monday, Feb. 17
Eat at State: Celebrate Black History Month
To celebrate Black History Month, MSU Culinary Services will feature special menu selections in its all-you-care-to-eat and Grab & Go dining halls from Monday, Feb. 17 through Friday, Feb. 21. Learn more and see locations at eatatstate.msu.edu.
Tuesday, Feb. 18
6 p.m. — MSU Museum presents “Techno Futures: Detroit’s Afrofuturist Groove”
Join visionary artists Carl Craig and Mike Banks for an exploration of Detroit’s pivotal role in shaping the Afrofuturist movement through Techno music. This dynamic panel will delve into how the genre’s innovative sound and cultural roots reflect a futuristic vision of African diaspora identity. Learn more about the event and register to attend.
8 p.m. — MSU Museum presents “Techno Futures: Performance by DJ Carl Craig”
Following an engaging panel discussion with Carl Craig and Mike Banks, the evening continues with an electrifying DJ performance by Carl Craig. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the sounds that shaped Detroit’s Techno music. Register for the event.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
4:30 p.m. — Screening of Choeurs Atlantiques: Tales From The Atlantic
Choeurs Atlantiques (movie trailer) is a powerful documentary directed by Dr. Safoi Bana-Hampton, professor of French at MSU, that spotlights a powerful quest for freedom. The MSU Choir will open the event with a gospel song. Register on Eventbrite.
Thursday, Feb. 20
5 p.m. — 25th Annual William G. Anderson Lecture Series with Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou
Located in the Wharton Center Pasant Theatre, the interactive lecture features Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou, a noted activist, theologian, author, documentary filmmaker and musician. Learn more and register at the Wharton Center.
5 p.m. — College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Black History Month event with Brian Teppen
The Office of Culture, Access and Belonging invites the community to attend this event, in memory of Katherine W. Phillips, that discusses how demographic representation makes groups smarter. Register on Qualtrics.
Friday, Feb. 21
Noon — James Madison College Third Annual Black History Month Symposium
Located on the third floor of James Madison College, keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II will discuss his path to becoming Michigan’s lieutenant governor. Register on Eventbrite.
5 p.m. — Structural Racism and Supporting Black Lives: The Role of Health Professionals with Rachel R. Hardeman, PhD, MPH
This session will explore how structural racism, rather than race itself, drives racial health inequities. Health professionals will learn about the historical roots of racism in the U.S., its impact on health outcomes, and ways to apply antiracism principles to promote equity and inclusion in their professional practices. This program meets the criteria for State of Michigan Implicit Bias Continuing Education Credit. Register here.
Saturday, Feb. 22
10 a.m. — College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Black History Month event with Shakara Tyler
The Office of Culture, Access and Belonging hosts a talk featuring Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund co-founder, Shakara Tyler, and an opportunity to meet the new Associate Dean and Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Antomia Farrell. Registration for this event has closed.
Tuesday, Feb. 25
4 p.m. — African-American Art and Activism: A Roundtable Discussion
Members of the Lansing hip-hop community will share their experiences and perspectives on art and activism. Ozay Moore, founder and executive director of Lansing’s All of the Above Hip-Hop Academy, will join musicians and Black MSU-affiliated artists Jahshua Smith and Jasmine Hamilton-Wray, among other guests, in this roundtable discussion. Part of James Madison College’s Sounds & Feels of Black Liberation series. Register to attend via Eventbrite.
Thursday, Feb. 27
1 p.m. — Black History is American History: A Special Collections Pop-up
This pop-up will feature press photos from early civil rights initiatives; newspapers and manifestos from the Black Panther Party; contemporary posters, zines, and comics from incredible Black artists; colonial-era poetry, cookbooks, and more—rare, powerful works from Murray & Hong Special Collections. Everyone is welcome to attend!
5 p.m. — 25th Annual William G. Anderson Lecture Series with Russell J. Ledet
Located in the Wharton Center Pasant Theatre, the interactive lecture features Russell J. Ledet, a physician advancing civil rights through activism and medical innovation. Learn more and register at the Wharton Center.
7 p.m. — Talk with Joel Christian Gill
Join author, cartoonist, historian and professor Joel Gill for a talk on empathy and storytelling at Wells Hall B243! He is the author of the acclaimed memoir Fights: One Boy's Triumph Over Violence cited as one of the best graphic novels of 2020 by The New York Times and for which he was awarded the 2021 Cartoonist Studio Prize.
Wednesday, Mar. 26
5 p.m. — 25th Annual William G. Anderson Lecture Series with Barbara Ross-Lee
Located in the Wharton Center Pasant Theatre, the interactive lecture will feature Barbara Ross-Lee, a physician and nationally recognized expert on health policy issues who serves as an advisor on primary care, medical education, minority health, women’s health and rural health care issues at the federal and state levels. Learn more about Ross-Lee and register on the Wharton Center website.
MSU proudly celebrates Black History Month, honoring the rich legacy and contributions of Black communities. This month and beyond, we join in support of programs, scholarships and campus initiatives that serve the Black student community at MSU and honor the rich and extraordinary impact of Black Spartans.
