February is Black History Month, and the U of A is celebrating with a series of in-person and virtual programming on the university's campus and in the Northwest Arkansas community. Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of the accolades, achievements and successes of Black/African Americans. It also provides us a time to honor and recognize the central and significant role that African Americans have and continue to play in U.S. history.

The university will be kicking the month off with a movie screening of Judas and the Black Messiah beginning at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 1, in the Arkansas Union Theater with a discussion to follow. 

The full calendar of events is available on the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website.  

Upcoming Events

Program: Level Up- Career Fair Pre-Party Event
Location: MC Classroom ARKU 403
Time: 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 3
Program Sponsors: Black Alumni Society; Office for Diversity & Inclusion, Walton College Career Services; Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education; Career Development Center; Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Program Description: You will have the opportunity to share your elevator speech, ask your power questions and learn more about multiple companies that are seeking to hire talented diverse students. Each participant is encouraged to take a seat with at least six different company representatives at their virtual table, speed-networking style. This means you get to engage with several companies in a short amount of time. Random door prize drawings will take place during the event. Students must be present and seated at a virtual table to win.

Program: Black TikTok Event
Location: Arkansas Union Ballroom 
Time: 6 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8
Sponsors:  Visionairi Foundation and the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education
Program Description: TikTok has really made its place in the social media world. The purpose of this event is to give Black creatives a space to learn how to create TikToks and make engaging content. 

Program: Black Culture Night 
Location: Union Ballroom
Time: 6-8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28
Sponsor: Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education
Program Description: Black Culture Night will be a night filled with celebrating Blackness and connecting students to Black resources across campus. Our entertainment for the night will be brought to you by Poetry and Chill. 

Black History Month grew out of "Negro History Week," the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans in 1926. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

For questions, contact Angela Mosley-Monts at 479-387-9248 or ammonts@uark.edu or Adrain Smith at 479-575-8405 or atsmith@uark.edu.

Please note: As the university navigates the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, event information is subject to change based on adjustments to event and gathering guidance provided by the campus leadership team. Masks are required indoors regardless of vaccination status.