Michigan State University celebrates Black History Month each year in February and this year recognizes its 50th anniversary as a federal designation. This month is dedicated to highlighting the U.S. history of Black and African American people and their contributions to society. Across campus this month, colleges, units and student organizations will commemorate Black and African American history, culture and community.
A cornerstone program of MSU’s Black History Month is the annual Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series, “Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey,” hosted by the College of Osteopathic Medicine. For 26 years, this series has given the community opportunities to interact with living icons of the Civil Rights Movement and multicultural leaders from education, business, industry, entertainment and government.
This year’s lecture series will feature four special guests, including Jelani Cobb, author, producer and dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in New York; Bob Kendrick, writer and president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; and Mary Ann Pettway and China Pettway from Gee’s Bend Quilting Collective. Each speaker event will be available in-person and virtually. More details about the lecture series are available in the event listing below.
Starting this year, the African Studies Center will launch “Eye on Africa,” a biweekly seminar series that provides scholars, policymakers, applied practitioners, students and the interested public with cutting-edge, highly contextualized knowledge about the African continent. Emerging and established scholars will share the results of their recent research, with time for audience questions and comments. The series draws on the expertise of many presenters to create an inclusive, holistic view of African history, social movements, the economy and politics. This seminar series will continue through April.
Additionally, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration Stuff the Library Book Drive is ongoing throughout the month and benefits the East Lansing Public Schools. The drive is a staple giving opportunity that raises awareness and puts books in children’s hands.
Read more: How Black Spartans have made history at MSU for over a century
Black History Month events at MSU
This story will be updated throughout February.
All events are listed in Eastern time.
Month-long
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Celebration’s Stuff the Library book drive
Donation deadline is Feb. 28. For more information, visit the Center for Community Engaged Learning or “Stuff the Library” giving page.
Thursday, Feb. 5
5:30 p.m. — Annual Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series with Dean Jelani Cobb
Jelani Cobb is the dean of the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in New York. He is the author of “The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress” and “To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic.” He also has edited or co-edited several volumes of a collection of The New Yorker’s writings on race and “The Essential Kerner Commission Report.” Additionally, Cobb has produced or co-produced several documentaries. To register to attend virtually or in person, visit the College of Osteopathic Medicine website.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
3 p.m. — Book Talk Series: African American Women Scholars on Race, Racism and Living Black in America
MSU Libraries is hosting Sherri Williams to discuss her book, “Black Social Television: How Black Twitter Changed Television,” moderated by Assistant Professor Christina L. Meyers from the MSU School of Journalism. This event is virtual; to learn more and register, visit the MSU Libraries website.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
6 p.m. — Speculative Futures | Afrofuturism and the Art of Stacey Robinson
Join us for a conversation and zine workshop with artist Stacey Robinson, moderated by MSU Museum curator Julian Chambliss. Step into the world of Afrofuturism with artist, graphic novelist and University of Illinois Professor Stacey Robinson, whose work reimagines Black identity, culture and possibility through bold visual storytelling and sound. Learn more and register at the MSU Museum’s website.
7 p.m. — Multicultural Center one-year anniversary open house
Join the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and Advocacy to explore and celebrate one year of this historic venue at the heart of campus. Stop by, connect, celebrate culture and build community together. Light bites and beverages will be provided. No registration and all are welcome!
Thursday, Feb. 12
Noon — “Eye on Africa” with Janet Munakamwe
This seminar, featuring guest speaker Janet Munakamwe, will cover “Unlocking the Potential of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in the Just Energy Transition: Rethinking a Unified Pan-African Regulatory Framework.” Register for this virtual event.
5:30 p.m. — Annual Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series with Bob Kendrick
Bob Kendrick is the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American baseball and its impact on America’s social advancement. He has created many signature educational programs and events, including the Hall of the Game, which honors Major League Baseball giants who represented the spirit and style of the Negro leagues. He is also a contributing writer for Ebony magazine and the National Urban League’s Opportunity journal. To register to attend virtually or in person, visit the College of Osteopathic Medicine website.
Friday, Feb. 13
Noon — Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon: A Day of Collective Action for Black History
MSU Libraries is hosting its annual Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon event at the MSU Main Library. 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. To learn more and register for this event, visit the MSU Libraries website.
Sunday, Feb. 15
3 p.m. — Here We Go Again: Recital with Mark and Sadie Rucker
MSU baritone Mark Rucker and pianist Sadie Rucker present a compelling vocal recital honoring the spirituals and inspiring songs that have sustained and uplifted generations of Black Americans. MSU instrumentalists Yvonne Lam (violin), Deborah Moriarty (piano) and soprano Phoenix Miranda will accompany the performers at Cook Recital Hall. To get tickets, visit the MSU College of Music.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
3 p.m. — Book Talk Series: African American Women Scholars on Race, Racism and Living Black in America
MSU Associate Professor LaShawn Harris will discuss her book, “Tell Her Story: Eleanor Bumpurs and the Police Killing that Galvanized New York City,” moderated by Associate Professor Tama Wray. To learn more and register for this in-person event, visit the MSU Libraries website.
Thursday, Feb. 19
5:30 p.m. — Made in Detroit: Carl Craig and Rodney Whitaker in Conversation
Join electronic music artist Carl Craig and jazz bassist, composer and educator Rodney Whitaker for an in-depth conversation on creativity, improvisation and artistic practice at the MSU Museum. To register and learn more about the event, visit the MSU Museum website.
Friday, Feb. 20
Noon - 1 p.m. — James Madison College: Black History Month Symposium
Meet the Honorable Conrad L. Mallett Jr., the first African American to serve as Chief Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court at the MSU Club Spartan in Case Hall. Register for JMC's fourth annual program.
7:30 p.m. — MSU Professors of Jazz: Artist faculty recital by WKAR
Hear the artistry and improvisational spark of MSU jazz artists in this annual concert celebrating the lasting influence of Black composers on the jazz tradition at Murray Hall. Get tickets on the MSU College of Music website.
Saturday, Feb. 21
7:30 p.m. — “Sally: A Solo Play" at the Wharton Center
Through memory, reflection and resilience, this play illuminates a pivotal moment in the life of Sally Hemings while exploring whose stories history has preserved and whose have too often gone unheard. Special student-priced tickets are available at whartoncenter.com.
Thursday, Feb. 26
Noon — “Eye on Africa” with Andrew Marshall
This seminar, featuring guest speaker Andrew Marshall, will cover “First Languages and the National Language in Politics along the Kenya-Tanzania Border.” Register for this virtual event.
Annual Dr. William G. Anderson Lecture Series with Mary Ann Pettway and China Pettway
11 a.m., MSU Museum Cultural Collections Center - Panel discussion
2:40 p.m., Multicultural Center - Panel discussion
5:30 p.m., Multicultural Center - Main talk
Mary Ann and China have created hundreds of quilt masterpieces from the early 20th century to the present. Many of their quilts have been featured in traveling exhibits across the U.S., including at the Smithsonian and at MSU. The quilting tradition in Gee’s Bend can be traced as far as the early 1800s. (Back then, the Gee’s Bend women created quilts to keep themselves warm in unheated shacks that didn’t have running water, telephones or electricity. It’s not just a skill — it’s a language and has been passed down for generations.) The Gee’s Bend Quilters’ Collective holds quilting workshops throughout the country. To register to attend virtually or in person, visit the College of Osteopathic Medicine website.
In recognition of Black History Month, all Spartans have the opportunity to come together in support of programs, scholarships and campus initiatives that serve the student community at MSU and honor the rich history and extraordinary impact of Black Spartans.
