Northeastern celebrates Black History Month

Graphic by the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute.

Northeastern’s celebration of Black History Month will feature more than a dozen educational events, including a panel discussion with African American leaders, a conversation with activist Shaun King, and a forum on the media’s portrayal of women of color.

The monthlong series, which is organized by the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute, will honor the rich his­tory, con­tri­bu­tions, and global impact of the African dias­pora.

Here’s a rundown of upcoming events:

Week of Feb. 5:

Northeastern’s celebration of Black History Month will begin on Monday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. with a “vision board social.” Held in the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute’s second floor study space, the event will provide female students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to come together while creating a vision board for their short- and long-term goals.

Alfred Brownwell, lecturer in Northeastern’s School of Law, will give a talk in the Cabral Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 2:30 p.m. His speech will focus on natural resources and economic development in Africa.

“The Nonprofit and Government Sector Black Professionals Panel” will convene in the Cabral Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. The participants—African American nonprofit leaders and civil servants—will share stories and advice with students interested in social service careers.

Pastor Toli Krua will deliver a talk in the Cabral Center on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. His speech will focus on politics, economic development, and youth in Africa.

One of the program’s most anticipated events—a conversation with activist, writer, and columnist Shaun King—will be held in Blackman Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m. King is expected to underscore the value of dialogue in promoting justice and equality today.

“Family Feud: Black History Edition” will be held in the Cabral Center on Friday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. Questions will focus on major activists, musicians, poets, athletes, actors, and other prominent figures in the African diaspora.

Week of Feb. 12

Calling all music lovers: Joe McCarthy, drummer for the Afro Bop Alliance Big Band and winner of the 2008 Latin Grammy Award for Latin Jazz Album of the Year, will perform in the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex on Friday, Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Week of Feb. 19:

“The Greater Boston Men of Color Social”—held in the Cabral Center on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m.—will seek to spark conversation and create fellowship among male students of color at Northeastern and beyond. Northeastern’s John D. O’Bryant African American Institute is partnering with Wentworth Institute of Technology’s Center for Diversity and Social Justice Programs to sponsor the event.

Black faculty and staff will be honored for their service to Northeastern at a lunch in the Cabral Center on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 11:45 a.m.

Find your flow with Afro Flow Yoga in the Cabral Center on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. The practice, which was recently featured on Oprah.com, promotes healing, balance, and peace through music and movement. Attendees should bring a yoga mat and water and RSVP here.

A dinner to recognize and honor veterans of color will be held in the Cabral Center on Friday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m.

Week of Feb. 26:

A documentary—This Ain’t Normal—will be screened in the Cabral Center on Monday, Feb. 26 at 11:45 a.m. The film highlights the lives of Boston gang members and the community street workers who try to mitigate neighborhood violence.

“Visible Yet Invisible: Black Women in Media,” an open forum on the media’s portrayal of women of color, will be held in the African American Institute’s second floor study space on Monday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

The final event in the monthlong program—“Taste of the Diaspora”—will be held in the Cabral Center on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. The event will provide a space for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to connect while enjoying food and music from the African diaspora.