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

2024 African American Celebration Month Events

January 16, 2024
AFRICAN AMERICAN CELEBRATION MONTH OPENING CEREMONY
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Oakland Center, Habitat
Hosted by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives

January 17, 2024
MLK DAY OF SERVICE
9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Oakland Center, Gold Rooms
Hosted by the Office for Student Involvement

January 18, 2024
BLACK HAIR: POLITICS, DISCRIMINATION AND THE CROWN ACT
Noon-1 p.m. | Virtual Event: bit.ly/BlackHairDiscrimination
Hosted by Oakland University Libraries

January 23, 2024
FAMILY FEUD AND JEOPARDY GAME NIGHT!
5-8 p.m. | Oakland Center, Habitat
Hosted by the Black Student Nursing Association

January 23, 2024
ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STUDENTS:THE GREAT DEBATE
7 p.m. | Oakland Center, Gold Room C
Hosted by the Association of Black Students

February 2, 2024
DIVERSITY IN MEDICINE: AFRICAN AMERICAN MEDICAL STUDENT PANEL
3 p.m. | Oakland Center, Gold Room C
Hosted by the Minority Association of Pre-Medical students (MAPS)
Co-sponsored by OUWB Student National Medical Association

February 5, 2024
THE HEART TRUTH
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Recreation Center Upper Lobby
Sponsored by Rec Well and Graham Health Center

February 6, 2024
BRINGING BELONGING TO DEI IN PHYSICAL THERAPY
Noon-1 p.m. | Human Health Building, Room 5036
Hosted by the Physical Therapy Program

February 7, 2024
REVERSE DEI CAREER FAIR WITH STUDENT ORGS
10-11:45 a.m. | Oakland Center near the Gold Rooms

February 7, 2024
WINTER CAREER FAIR
Noon-3 p.m. | Upstairs in the Oakland Center

February 9, 2024
VIRTUAL HEALING SPACE
12-1 p.m.
Virtual Healing Space Registration Form

February 9, 2024
TASTE OF AFRICA
4-7 p.m. | Oakland Center, Banquet Rooms
Hosted by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives

February 13, 2024
AACM BOOK CLUB: ALL BOYS ARENâ€™T BLUE
5-7 p.m. | North Foundation Hall, Room 159
Hosted by the Gender and Sexuality Center

February 15, 2024
BLACK WOMEN ROCK AWARDS
(CLOSING CEREMONY)
5-7 p.m. | 159 North Foundation Hall
Hosted by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives

Committee

Denise Thompkins-Jones
Center for Multicultural Initiatives

Blake Bonkowski
Gender and Sexuality Center

Bianca Stepanyan

Center for Multicultural Initiatives

Em Wolfe

University Housing

Sarah Swarz

Career and Life Design Center

Latasha Curry

Student Business Services

Jessie Hurse

Dean of Students

Michael Couch

Student Financial Services

Raenece Johnson

School of Social Work

Dr. Tiffany Williams

Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine

Bianca Bryant

School of Engineering

Dr. Anita Hicks

Oakland Center

J Cooper Smith

Oakland University Student Congress