Black History Month 2025

Black love is Black Wealth.

— Nikki Giovanni

February is Black History Month, a time when we reflect upon, honor and celebrate the contributions of African American people to the rich history and culture of our nation. Blacks have time and again, throughout the African Diaspora, formed a crucible in the marrow of suffering from which the strength to strive for freedom, elevate all of humanity, and live with Black Joy was forged. Our reflection on that past is far more than wistful remembering. Looking back helps us find our way forward. Black history is full of the people and stories, strivings and formations that were the keys to overcoming seemingly insurmountable barriers, limitations and oppression. Reflecting back may help us find our inspiration, strength and purpose.

Educational theorist, Dr. Yosso, posits that we bring with us a set of skills and strengths from our culture and lived experiences into the educational and professional spheres we occupy. Part of that cultural wealth, she says, are the models we gained, and lessons learned from those that came before us. I've been thinking about that a good deal of late, particularly after the passing of my favorite poetess, Nikki Giovanni. I realized that it was far more than the beautiful words and imagery of her writing that I loved, but it was the fact that reading her work enabled me to see myself and my experience in a new light. Her words were validating, liberating, and empowering. We likely all have those people in our lives, family, community members, friends, mentors, historical figures, that help us see who we are and want to be.

Over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend our Black Student Union here at Cal Poly, put on a historical event. They planned, hosted, and ran an Afrikan Black Coalition conference that brought over 800 Black high school and college students and staff to our campus. Part of their theme, “The Power to Imagine, The Strength to Build…” was exemplified in their efforts and should be our theme for the rest of the year…to imagine and to build…to look back to find our way forward…to be empowered by those who came before us. This month, and every month, as we recognize the strength, power and beauty found in Black history, look for the historical legacies and stories that have helped shape who we are and offer lessons for who we can become.

Join in on the myriad of Black History Month (BHM) events including, the OUDI and City of SLO’s BHM Film Showing Panel Discussion of Black Twitter: A People’s History at the Palm Theatre on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm., and Student Diversity & Belonging’s Black History Month Kick-Off on the Bldg. 52 Southeast Lawn outside of the Black Academic Excellence Center on Friday, Feb. 7 from 3 to 5 pm.

We will continue to struggle for the freedom that [others] died for – that's what I think we owe those who've suffered before us.

— Bryan Stevenson, lawyer, founder and director of the Equal Justice Initiative & Freedom Monument Sculpture Park

Dr. Denise Isom, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion / Senior Diversity Officer