Black History Month Happenings at Vassar

February 3

Evening of Inspiration

5:00–6:00 p.m., College Center Multi-Purpose Room

The Jeh Vincent Johnson ALANA Cultural Center, Affinity Engagement, and the African American Alumnae/i of Vassar College (AAAVC) invite all to view inspiring pieces of art, hear from faculty keynote speaker Visiting Assistant Professor of International Studies Mariam Rashid, enjoy a lively music set featuring DJ DelLaHoz, and mingle prior to the main Black History Month Kickoff celebration. Delicious appetizers and handcrafted mocktails will be served.

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance.

Black History Month Kickoff

6:00–7:30 p.m., Villard Room-Main Building and Zoom

The theme of this year’s special evening celebration to kick off Black History Month is “Alive In Rhythm” and it will include lively performances/speeches from students, alums, faculty, and local community members. There will be delicious foods, beverages, prizes, surprises, and more! This event will be in a hybrid format.

Please RSVP to confirm your attendance.

This event is sponsored by the Jeh Vincent Johnson ALANA Cultural Center, Affinity Engagement, the African American Alumnae/i of Vassar College (AAAVC), African Students’ Alliance, Black Students’ Union, Council of ALANA Seniors, Gradient, Latine Students’ Union, Student Growth and Engagement, Students of Caribbean Ancestry, UJIMA, Vassar African Students, and Vassar Muslim Student Association.

February 7

Flavors of the Islands Cooking Demo

7:00–9:00 p.m.

Vassar students are invited to learn the secrets of Caribbean cooking and baking at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at the Danny Kaye Theater in Hyde Park. This event is hosted by Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA) at Vassar and Black Culinarian Society (BCS) of the Culinary Institute of America. Shuttles will depart from Main Building at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP.

February 12

Black Hair + Storytelling as a Form of Social Activism

6:00 p.m., ALANA Center Community Room

Join Student Growth and Engagement, the ALANA Center, and the Women’s Center for an empowering evening with filmmaker and author St. Clair Detrick-Jules. This event will explore the intersections of Black hair, storytelling, and activism. Discover how personal narratives and cultural expressions can inspire social change and celebrate identity. Please RSVP.

February 15

RnB Night at the Mug

10:00 p.m. –1:00 a.m.

Hosted by the Council of ALANA Seniors. Campus community only, please.

February 19

A Look at the 1969 Black Studies Sit-In

5:00–6:30 p.m. Thompson Library, Class of ’51 Reading Room

Join Engaged Pluralism’s Race & Racism in Historical Collections Working Group as they dive into powerful stories and materials from the College archives about the impactful 1969 Black Studies Sit-In. This is a chance to encounter the history, explore the legacy, and connect with others through Vassar’s archives. Campus community only, please.

Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lord

5:30–7:00 p.m., Taylor Hall 102

Author Alexis Pauline Gumbs will discuss her new book, Survival Is a Promise: The Eternal Life of Audre Lorde—a Time Must-Read Book of the Year and a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Book of the Year that offers a new understanding of the life, work, and enduring impact of iconic writer Audre Lorde.

In Survival Is a Promise, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, the first researcher to explore the full depths of Lorde’s manuscript archives, illuminates the eternal life of Lorde. Her life and work become more than a sound bite; they become a cosmic force, teaching us the grand contingency of life together on Earth.

This event is sponsored by Africana Studies, Dean of the Faculty Office, American Studies, and Women, Feminist, and Queer Studies.

February 22

Afrobeats Night at the Mug

10:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.

Hosted by the African Students’ Union. Campus community only, please.

February 23

Black Solidarity Dinner

5:00–7:00 p.m. Villard Room-Main building

Hosted by the Black Students’ Union. By invitation only.