Ohio University to celebrate Black History Month

OHIO’s Division of Diversity and Inclusion and Multicultural Center will join in nationwide efforts to celebrate our Black and African American communities during February for Black History Month. The national theme for 2023 is “Black Resistance” and all students, faculty, staff and community residents are invited to the special events, lectures and presentations that will be held throughout the month.

Black History Month events hosted by the Division of Diversity and Inclusion and Multicultural Center:

• Ohio University’s Black History Month celebration will kick-off with a Community Soul Food Dinner with food, fellowship and music. The dinner will take place in the Baker Ballroom from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.
• Two Black History Month Fireside Chats will discuss important aspects of Black life and wellness. Topics include: “Black in Appalachia,” and “Health Disparities in the Black Community.”
• As part of a new Late Night in the Multicultural Center event series, which will kick-off this semester, February’s late-night event will involve a Black History Month Game Night. This new series is being co-hosted by the Multicultural Student Organization Coalition (MSOC). Students can enjoy food, games and fun in the Multicultural Center from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24.

Ohio University will also host two acclaimed featured speakers during February: ​​​​​

• Two-time Ohio University alumna Tynita M. White now serves as a Policy Analyst in Columbus’ Public Health Center. In her role, Tynita works with partners inside and outside the health sector to advance policy, programs and services that improve health and equity, reduce health disparities, raise the life expectancy of the community and focus on racism as a public health crisis. She will join us on Monday, Feb. 20 from 12 to 1 p.m. to discuss “Fearlessness, Pride, and the Pursuit of Social Justice.”
• The second speaker will discuss “How a Cartoon is Changing the Face of Medicine.” Dr. Myiesha Taylor is a board-certified emergency medicine physician specialist and a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians. She is also a founding member of the Artemis Medical Society, whose goal is to support and mentor women physicians of color, globally. For her work with Artemis, Dr. Taylor was honored by Disney Junior with the naming of the mother character, Myiesha McStuffins, in the highly acclaimed children’s TV show, “Doc McStuffins.” Join Dr. Taylor for an insightful conversation at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21. This event is co-hosted with the Office of Inclusion of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Please register via the links above to attend these featured lectures.

Finally, OHIO’s Kennedy Museum of Art (KMA) will host a new exhibit, Centering Black Artists, which highlights the work of named Black artists in KMA’s collections. Developing the exhibit provided the opportunity to engage Black community members in planning this exhibition as well as determining action steps to increase inclusion in programming and future exhibitions at the Museum. Take the time to visit the exhibit during Black History Month.

Throughout February, facts about Black history in Athens will be available on drinks at the Front Room Coffeehouse in the Baker University Center and at Court Street Coffee. Facts will also be featured on digital screens across the University. Everyone in the community is invited to take the opportunity to learn more about the Black history in Athens throughout the month

For more information about OHIO’s Black History Month Celebration, please visit https://www.ohio.edu/diversity/black-history-month.