Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University is celebrating Black History Month with a host of free virtual events that highlight the achievements and struggles of African-Americans from the past to the present.

The following is a selection of the events:

Provost’s Lecture: Dr. Mae C. Jemison, a former NASA astronaut and the first woman of color in space, will give a talk via Zoom from 6:30-7:30 p.m., Feb. 4 as part of the Provost’s Lecture Series. Registration is required and the event is open to the public. More information regarding the Provost’s Lecture Series can be found here.

Music a' la Carte: David Servias, piano: Take a midday music interlude and watch a remote performance by pianist David Servias live from his Community Hall studio on the OSU campus. In a celebration of Black History Month, the program will include Piano Sonata in E Minor by Black American Composer Florence Price. The program also includes works by Scott Joplin, a Black composer and pianist. Watch on Zoom or Facebook live, noon to 12:45 p.m., Feb. 5. To register: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/j/98179923298#success

Cabildos Speaker Series: Carmen Thompson, On American Whiteness and Anti-Blackness: Towards and Understanding of Race in America: Carmen P. Thompson is an independent scholar and historian of race and the Black experience. Thompson is a visiting scholar in the Black Studies department at Portland State University, and is working on her book "The Making of American Whiteness," which examines the origins of Whiteness in America.  The talk and others in the series are sponsored by the School of History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies and anonymous donors to the history program at Oregon State. Her talk will take place from 4-5:30 p.m., Feb. 10. To register: https://beav.es/JY9

Black Minds Matter: A Mental Health Conversation: This last year has been a whirlwind for all – but those who identify as Black have endured experiences that have tested their strength and resilience. Hear from Keith Dempsey, an OSU alumnus, as he discusses the triumphs and challenges of mental health and wellness among the Black community. Dempsey is an associate professor and department chair in the graduate counseling program at George Fox University. Hosted in partnership with the Lonnie B. Harris Black Cultural Center, the discussion takes place at 5:30 p.m., Feb. 11. To participate: https://oregonstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMrcO6tqD8uG9PbanIhqYuipyRR-nXCME34

Anthropology Lecture Series: All Lives Don't Matter and Democracy is Under Assault - A Perspective on Convergent Pandemics: The OSU School of Language, Culture and Society Anthropology Lecture Series presents "All Lives Don't Matter and Democracy is Under Assault - A Perspective on Convergent Pandemics" with guest lecturer Faye Harrison from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The analysis looks at COVID-19, racism and the erosion of political legitimacy and accountability. The lecture takes place from noon to 1 p.m., Feb. 19. Zoom link: https://beav.es/Jqi

Navigating Education and Student Success: At a primarily white institution, people of color are faced with unique challenges that can impact their school experience. Hear from Joakina Stone and Dorian Smith, both alumni of Oregon State, as they discuss the topic of navigating education and student success with perspectives and thoughts for K-12 through college. Stone is senior relationship manager for academic support and student services for the United Negro College Fund STEM Scholars Program. Smith is assistant director of Black Student Access and Success at Oregon State. The discussion takes place at 5:30 p.m., Feb. 25. To register: https://beav.es/JWg

Cabildos Speaker Series: Danielle Terrazas Williams - Who Dared to Question the Word of a Priest? Free Black Women and Social Capital in 17th Century Mexico: Danielle Terrazas Williams is assistant professor of history at Oberlin College. Her work focuses on African-descended women in colonial Mexico. The talk takes place from 4-5:30 p.m., Feb. 26. Register for link to view at: https://bea.es/JgT

General OSU

About Oregon State University: As one of only three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the nation, Oregon State serves Oregon and the world by working on today’s most pressing issues. Our more than 36,000 students come from across the globe, and our programs operate in every Oregon county. Oregon State receives more research funding than all of the state’s comprehensive public universities combined. At our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, marine research center in Newport, OSU Portland Center and award-winning Ecampus, we excel at shaping today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders.

Story By: 

Theresa Hogue, [email protected]

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