African American Celebration Month

African American History Month is an annual observance for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February.

African American History Month had its beginnings in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week". This week was chosen because it marked the birthday of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Woodson created the holiday with the hope that it eventually be eliminated when black history became fundamental to American history.

Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday. Led by the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University in February of 1969 African American History week was expanded from a week to a month. The first celebration of African American History Month occurred at Kent State University in February of 1970. Six years later during the bicentennial (1976), the expansion of Negro History Week to African American History Month was recognized by the U.S. government.

African-American History Month at Oakland University kicks off each year on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This month long celebration reflects OU’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the historical and cultural contributions that African Americans have made in the past, present and future.

AACM Photos AACM Videos

Events

2025 African American Celebration Month Events

January 22, 2025
MLK DAY OF SERVICE honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy
9 a.m.-9 p.m. | Oakland Center, Gold Rooms
Hosted by the Office for Student Involvement

January 27, 2025
YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
12-1 p.m. | Oakland Center, Gold Room C
Hosted by OU Counseling Center

January 28, 2025
CREATING A GIFT OF LIFE (ORGAN DONATION)
12-1 p.m. | Oakland Center, Ambassador Rooms
Hosted by MI-ACE Women's Network-Oakland, Women of Color Collaborative (WOCC) and Gift of Life

February 4, 2025
BLACK BUSINESS EXPO: HIDDEN GEMS
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Oakland Center, Habitat
Hosted by Residence Life Association and Student Program Board

February 4, 2025
BLACK FINANCIAL LITERACY 101
6-8 p.m. | Oakland Center, Gold Rooms
Hosted by Association of Black Students

February 6, 2025
BLACK OWNED BOOKSTORES IN METRO-DETROIT: A PANEL DISCUSSION
12 p.m. | Virtual Event: http://bit.ly/4fPK7GM
Hosted by OU Libraries

February 6, 2025
NAVIGATING SPACES AND CREATING ALLYSHIP IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
12-1 p.m. | 5036 Human Health Building
Hosted by OU Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program

February 7, 2025
TASTE OF AFRICA
4-7 p.m. | Oakland Center, Banquet Rooms
Hosted by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives

February 12, 2025
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: INTERSECTIONALITY AND FOOD INSECURITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION
4-5 p.m. | Oakland Center, Ambassador Rooms
Hosted by Golden Grizzlies Pantry/Swipe Out Hunger at OU

February 20, 2025
BLACK WOMEN ROCK AWARDS
(CLOSING CEREMONY)
5-7 p.m. | Oakland Center, Founders Ballroom C
Hosted by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives

As we look to celebrate the many contributions within the Black and African American community, we also look to give our community. Consider making a donation to the Golden Grizzlies Pantry. An additional drop off box can be found within the CMI office.

SPONSORS

Sponsored by:

Center for Multicultural Initiatives

Co-sponsored by:

Corewell Health
Oakland University Credit Union
Magna
Provost Office
Oakland University Student Congress

Black Women Rock Recipients

The Black Women Rock Awards give the Oakland University community an opportunity to recognize and honor Black women and allies who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, service, and professionalism.

Year	Student	Staff	Faculty	Ally	Alumni	Entrepreneur	Community
2024	Asia Robinson & Jada Dorsey	Sarah Bodnar	Dr. Deidre Hurse	Clarence Sanders	Shalonda Dennis	Shyrielle Simmons
2023	Makaila Gaston & Ta’Niyah Harris	Jill Tyus-Coates	Dr. Chaundra Scott		Sharise Lucas-Perry
2022	Jordan Tolbert & Mackenzie Millett	Joi Cunningham	Dr. Caress Dean	Omar Brown-El	Mikal O'Neal		Raenece Johnson
2021	Marcela Sifuentes & Kayla Jones	Tessa Johnson	Dr. Tiffany Steele	Maryam Nissan & Amy Joa	Dr. Stephanie Lee	Tiffany Moore	Brenda Carter
2020	Caya Smith & Shy Mckalpain	Bianca Bryant & LaTasha Curry	Dr. Jennifer Matthews	Raneen Allos		Malitta Dillard	Dr. Juanita Tookes
2019	Ashely Chillis	Denise Thompkins-Jones	Dr. Michelle Southward	Grace Wojcik	Adrian Williams
2018	Denise McElroy	Kendra Agee	Dr. Thandi Sulé		La'Asia Johnson
2013	Laneicia M. Cannon	Jennifer Edwards-Nixon

Center for Multicultural Initiatives (CMI)

North Foundation Hall, Room 104
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309
(location map)
(248) 370-4404

Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m