February is Black History Month, a federally-recognized event that reflects on Black Americans’ significant impact on the country. To celebrate this month, the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is putting on a series of events and programs.  

The event series is co-sponsored by the Beauregard Center, Black Student Union, Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, Center for Humanities/COLA, Community, Equity and Diversity office Dimond Library, NH Listens/Carsey School of Public Policy, Memorial Union Building (MUB) Events and Programs, Museum of Art/College of Liberal Arts, Music Hall of Portsmouth, and the Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP). The events that occur throughout the month range from concerts to podcast discussions. Below is the current list of the programs being offered by this series.  

I AM 400 by Jerome and Jeromyah Jones  

This banner painting done by father and son artists Jeromyah Jones and Jerome W. Jones Jr portrays the 400-year journey of African Americans using portraits. This banner can be found on the second level of the Dimond Library throughout the month.  

Amplifying: Turing up the Volume on Black Voices NPR Podcasts  

Listen to and discuss NPR Podcasts on race, like Code Switch. Code Switch “hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race hear-on. We explore how it impacts every part of society – from politics and pop culture to history, sports, and everything in between,” said the podcast’s about page.  This event sponsored by the Beauregard Center and SHARPP occurs every Friday in February.  

Racism, Land & The American Farming Landscape  

This panel will talk about racism and discrimination against Black farmers. Panelist include Reginald Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Communications at Simmons College, Lydia Clemmons, President of Clemmons Family Farm and author Chris Newman. This event will take place on Feb. 7.  

2021 Traditional Jazz Series presents: Ralph Peterson and the Messenger Legacy  

This virtual jazz concert which is accessible through the UNH Department of Music’s YouTube channel, will feature Ralph Peterson on drums, Billy Pierce on tenor saxophone, Craig Handy on alto saxophone, Brian Lynch on trumpet, Essiet on bass, and Zaccai Curtis on piano.  

The Black Church: This is Our Story This is Our Song  

New Hampshire Humanities and New Hampshire PBS will host a screening on the documentary and discussion with New Hampshire Humanities Public Programs Director Dr. Tricia Peone, and Dr. Vaughn Booker. The event will be on OVEE and screened on NHPBS on Feb. 16 and Feb. 17.  

Black History Month Kick-off: Artwork screening and conversation  

This event will share a film about five UNH student’s art project with Richard Haynes. Their art project embraced, “the power of community, the need for justice, and the role we can play in bringing about change.” A panel with the artists will occur after the screening. The event will be held via zoom.  

Securing Frailty: Racial Inequities and Aspiration for Senior Housing in South Africa  

This event on Feb. 11 from 12:40-2 p.m. is part of the Faculty Fellows Lecture Series by Casey Golomski Associate Professor of Anthropology.  

Confronting the Racial Wealth Gap: Black Americans’ Landholding and Economic Mobility after Emancipation  

This panel discussion will feature Marianne Wanamaker, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Tennessee, Dr. Dev K. Dutta, Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Harriet Fertik, Associate Professor of Classics, Humanities and Italian Studies, and UNH student Tejun Celestin. The event will take place on Feb. 11 from 5-6:30 p.m. 

Writing While Black: The Afrofuturistic Writer  

This event on Feb. 14, will feature authors Sheree Renée Thomas and Nisi Shawl and be moderated by English Professor Dennis Britton. The group will discuss how “the classification of what is and is not scientific is frequently a matter of dispute and Eurocentric. This panel will explore Black writers and character in a genre where they have not been expected to excel.”  

Black History They Didn’t Teach – Story About Pools and Swimming in the U.S.  

This discussion will center around the stereotypes about Black people not being able to swim. Panelist will talk about pools, swimming, racism, and how swimming actually has historical significance in Black culture.  

Race & Care of the Soul  

This panel discussion will dig into the effects of racism on the Soul. The registration link states, “The ensuing mass protests across the U.S. forced us to see the actual consequences of racism in a new light.” It will feature Thomas Moore, author of “Care of the Soul”, Dr. Reginald Wilburn, and Rev. Lauren Smith.  

It Happened in New Hampshire: Black History in the Granite State  

Presents Sharon Jones, Renay Allen, Barbara Baker Williams, and David Watters will share the “long, rich Black history in the Granite state.” Sharing research from Colonial New Hampshire newspapers and other documents of a history that dates back to 1645.  

Foundations for Allyship, Accompliceship and Community Change.  

This event that takes place during the day on Mar. 6 will “provide an opportunity for students, staff, and faculty interested in learning more about how to be a better ally, friend, student colleague, partner, etc., to reflect with others about possibilities in their lives.” Interested members should use the provided Google form to register.  

Photo courtesy of the University of New Hampshire