BLACK HISTORY MONTH
2024
AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE ARTS
Sponsored by Synergy Bank
Black History Month programming brings people from all around the Bayou Region to campus. Dr. Melinda Jefferson, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice in the Department of Social Sciences, chairs the Black History Month Committee. The committee is made up of faculty and staff from various departments and student organizations on the Nicholls campus. Each year, the committee hosts events that are educational, cultural, and fun for the student body, the faculty and staff, and community members.
Black History Month 2024 will start a series of events to honor not only African American history across our nation but also the important African American history on our campus and within the local area. Lectures, panel discussions, musicals, plays, themed meals, open mic nights, and other activities are all part of the festivities. The planned events promote unity, diversity, and equality on campus and within the local community.
The 2024 National Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts.” African, Caribbean, and Black American living experiences are incorporated into African American art. The African American influence has been significant in the visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, cinema, music, architecture, culinary arts, and other forms of cultural expression. African American artists have utilized art to preserve history and shared memory, as well as for empowerment. People of African origin have pioneered artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, which have set the bar for popular trends worldwide. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.
THROUGHOUT THE MONTH:
Accidents Happen Campaign
Please support the Nicholls Black Women Leadership Association (BWLA), Christy David, and THRIVE (a community service organization serving Terrebonne, Lafourche, and St Mary Parishes), in their month-long Accidents Happen Campaign. All items collected will be donated to Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish Elementary Schools. Let’s ensure every child feels comfortable and confident. Your contribution matters-donate today and be a part of making a positive impact!
University Bookstore
The University Bookstore will have an event-themed display all month long.
Black History Month Graduate Spotlights
The Office of Graduate Studies will feature outstanding graduates and current students within graduate program during February.
Gamma Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota
During the entire month of February, the Gamma Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota will salute Black visionaries of Nicholls State University and Gamma Chapter alumni on the Chi Sigma Iota’s Facebook page.
Treasure Box Campaign
Please support the Nicholls Black Women Leadership Association (BWLA), Christy David, and THRIVE (a community service organization serving Terrebonne, Lafourche, and St Mary Parishes), in their month-long Treasure Box Campaign for menstrual items. All items collected will be donated to Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish Middle Schools. Let’s unite to break barriers and ensure that every adolescent has access to the essentials.
Office of Career Services
The Office of Career Services is partnering with JCPenney for the Colonels Suit-up with JCPenney virtual event. Through a partnership with JCPenney, Nicholls State University students, staff, faculty, and alumni are invited to save on your in-person and online purchases of professional attire and accessories. Visit https://www.nicholls.edu/career/suit-up/ for a discount code.
CALENDAR
January 26-28
“Memphis” The Musical
Time: 7 p.m. on January 26th, 6 p.m. on January 27th and 3 p.m. on January 28th
Location: Danos Theater
Description: Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves– filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock’n’roll.
For tickets, contact 985.448.4600
February 1
Negro Spiritual Master Class
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Danos Theater
Description: Participate in our master class as we explore the authentic performance techniques used when singing the Negro Spiritual. The master class is open to collegiate and high school students. Not a singer? Don’t worry; feel free to participate and learn more about the Negro Spiritual with Professor Richard Hobson from Southern University in Baton Rouge, master class clinician. amazing dishes.
February 2
The Essence of Black Celebration (EOBC)
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Center of campus (behind student union, library/Talbot & Gouaux Hall)
Description: Second Essence of Black Celebration as a part of Nicholls’s Yearly Black History Month events. This historical event will continue to focus on cultivating the dynamics of diversity and celebrating and acknowledging the historical impact of Black Americans on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.
This event will be open to Nicholls campus, surrounding communities, and other Southern Louisiana colleges. Hosted by The University Counseling Center.
February 2
The 14th Annual Celebration of the Negro Spiritual Concert Series Performance
Time: 7:30p
Location: Danos Theater
Description: Nicholls Department of Music will host their 14th Annual Festival of the Negro Spiritual Concert Series featuring historical songs once sung by slaves and plantation workers. The music event will feature distinguished guest artists, faculty, and students from universities across several states as well as community members. Hosted by the Music Department.
February 2
The Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Time: All Day
Location: Nicholls campus
Description: National Wear Red Day
February 5
Nursing is a Work of HeART
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: BCAH Auditorium- room 123
Description:Participants will be asked to reflect on their nursing experience or educational journey. They can illustrate this by writing a poem, choosing a passage from a book, singing a song, playing an instrument, drawing a painting, or sharing a story that expresses their distinctive contribution to the art of nursing. The event will embrace Nicholls nursing students, faculty, and nurses from the community. The participants will share their experiences with the art of nursing, the many challenges they experience on their educational, or health-care journey concerning patients, families, communities, and institutions, and their passion for nursing. Refreshments will be served. Hosted by The Department of Nursing.
February 7
Celebrating African American Voices: A Creative Writing Club Event
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Suite 3 in the Student Union
Description: The Creative Writing Club is hosting a virtual reading to celebrate African-American Voices.
February 7
Black Voices Poetry Night: Poetry readings featuring Black Poets
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: LeBijou Theatre
Description: Bring a poem from a Black voice or share your own work. Open to anyone and everyone who believes in the power of storytelling. Hosted by the Gamma Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota.
February 7
African American Themed Cuisine
Time: 10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Galliano Dining Hall
Description: Come taste Nicholls State Culinary Students signature dishes every Wednesday in February. The price for guests is $10.50 + tax. You don’t want to miss these amazing dishes.
February 15
SPA Casino Night
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Student Union Ballroom
Description: Hosted by SPA.
February 16
Lovers and Phriends R&B Party
Time: 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Century Room in the stadium
Description: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc presents Lovers and Phriends R&B party. Sounds by DJ CO. Good Vibes and Door Prizes.
February 19
The Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Game Night
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location:Harold J. Memorial Callais Memorial Recreation Center
Description: Please join Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. for an awesome game night event. This event is open to all students. Celebrate the achievements of Black culture.
February 20
“Barring None: Nicholls Student Activism Against Racial Discrimination in 1970s Thibodaux”
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location:Mary and Al Danos Theater
Description: In the early 1970s, certain popular night clubs for students in the city of Thibodaux maintained a whites-only policy. Leaders of the Nicholls SGA and their colleagues fought to overturn these repressive policies through meetings with owners and city government but to no avail. After meeting with the American Civil Liberties Union and the U.S. Department of Justice in New Orleans, student leaders tested, observed, and recorded as legal evidence denials of service to black students at a series of city night clubs. By early summer 1971, the Department of Justice filed suit against four Thibodaux lounges for violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Soon thereafter racial barriers fell, and student advocates for racial desegregation prevailed. Panel with Ken Wells (Pulitzer Prize winner), Dr. Mike Marcello, Dr. Tom Soniat, & Dr. Cleveland Hill. Hosted by the College of Sciences and Technology.
February 20
The Art of Storytelling: Black Professionals Share About the Power of Narrative
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Danos Theater
Description:According to the late Virginia Hamilton, the author of The People Could Fly—a revered children’s book of African American storytelling—said that storytelling was the first opportunity for black folks to represent themselves as anything other than property. This event offers Black professionals an opportunity to share their own stories about their experiences along their paths of becoming. We hope the event will inform, uplift and engage the audience through intergenerational communication producing a mosaic of inspiration, determination and insight. Hosted by the MACO Department.
February 21
African American Themed Cuisine
Time: 10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Galliano Dining Hall
Description: Come taste Nicholls State Culinary Students signature dishes every Wednesday in February. The price for guests is $10.50 + tax. You don’t want to miss these amazing dishes.
February 21
Financial Aid Night
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Location: Peltier Auditorium
Description: The presentation will cover the basics of financial aid, the application process, and the new debt forgiveness program. Hosted by the Office of Financial Aid.
February 21
Allied Health Professionals Panel
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: LeBijou Theatre
Description: TBA
February 21
Black Mental Health: Healing Through the Arts Panel & Discussion
Time: 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Dano Theater
Description: A panel discussion forum. The focus of this event is to educate and engage the Nicholls Community on mental health and wellness as well as to enhance mental health awareness not only amongst all students and faculty/staff but particularly our African American/black students. Hosted by The University Counseling Center.
February 22
The Art of Graduate School
Time: 10:00 a.m. – noon
Location: LeBijou Theater
Description: Panel discussion regarding the different processes of graduate school and what students need to know when applying to graduate school. Hosted by the Offices of University Graduate Studies, Career Services, Admissions, and Financial Aid.
February 22
CROWN presents “Wassup, Bruh. You Got Anybody Right Now? A Brief History and Conversation with Black Male Barbers
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Danos Theater
Description: Clippers buzz in the background of voices, talking and laughing as mirrors reflect smiles, aftershave bottles, artwork, and a television. Men of various shades of brown await their invitation to sit in the elevated seat for a haircut. “You next,” says the Barber. The barbershop, like the church, has long stood as a sacred space for people to gather, converse, and engage in activism, discourse, and grassroots organization. Black barber shops are self-contained worlds with their own culture, laws, and customs. Black Barbershops are the culmination of craft, etiquette, and tradition that has evolved over 160 years to produce the heritage we reflect on. Hosted by Colonels Retention of Winners Network (CROWN).
February 26
SPA BHM Movie Night
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: LeBijou Theater
Description: Come out and watch The Movie “Harriet” in celebration of black history month Snacks and Refreshments will be provided. Collaboration with the Nicholls Film Society
February 27
2nd Annual Black Excellence
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Student Tailgate Section /Ellender Street Front
Description: A night of fun for students to come together and freely enjoy themselves while closing out Black History Month. Hosted by NAACP and SPA.
February 28
African American Themed Cuisine
Time: 10:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Galliano Dining Hall
Description: Come taste Nicholls State Culinary Students signature dishes every Wednesday in February. The price for guests is $10.50 + tax. You don’t want to miss these amazing dishes.
February 28
Omega Psi Phi: Excellence Ball
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Cotillion Ballroom
Description:Get Dressed Up, and come out and enjoy yourself, Come Enjoy Live Music by local Black ARTists.
February 29
The Heartbeat Soiree
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center
Description: Thrive is partnering with Nicholls organizations and Thibodaux Regional Health System for the 2nd Annual Heartbeat Soiree to promote health equity by identifying health disparities and closing health gaps.
February 29
“The Art and Science of Diversity: The Human Pangenome.”
Time: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Location: 104 Kilgen Hall
Description: The Human PanGenome is an important achievement beyond the Human Genome because it includes DNA information from a broad diversity of human ethnicities and origins, enabling scientists to discover, among other things, potential disease variations in underrepresented groups. Hosted by the College of Sciences and Technology.
February 29
The Art of Sisterhood to Sustain our Collective Mental Health
Part 1: The Women’s History Month Luncheon
Time: 12:00-1:30 pm
Location: Ballroom
Description: Dr. Bonnie J Bourg Lecture Series 2024-Women’s History Month Luncheon and
Achievement Awards. $25 per seat. RSVP by February 22nd
February 29
The Art of Sisterhood to Sustain our Collective Mental Health
Part II: Student’s Pop-Up Shop & Mixer
Time:1:30-3:00 p.m. & 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: TBA
Description: Come see some innovative and extraordinary products generated by Nicholls entrepreneurs.
February 29
The Art of Sisterhood to Sustain our Collective Mental Health
Part III: The Art of Entrepreneurship: Words of Wisdom from a Diverse Panel of Entrepreneurs
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ballroom
Description: Come listen to local business entrepreneurs explain the stages to creating a
successful business, the roadmap for starting a new business, and how to preserve your mental
health.
Hosted by the Black History Month Committee & the Women History Month Committee
