Black History Month is a crucial time to honor and celebrate the contributions and experiences of Black individuals. It reminds us of the resilience and creativity of Black people, whose stories have often been marginalized or overlooked.
Recognizing and uplifting Black narratives is a commitment to justice and equity, recognizing their rich cultural heritage, innovative achievements, and societal impacts. Centering Black joy, history, and experiences is vital for fostering a diverse and inclusive society. Black joy represents strength and beauty, even in adversity, and celebrating Black history inspires future generations to continue the fight for equity.
In doing so, we commit ourselves to listening, learning, and acting in ways that support and uplift Black communities. This month, and every month, let us dedicate ourselves to building a world where Black lives are valued, stories are told, and joy is abundant.
UCSF welcomes everyone, including people with disabilities to our events. To request a reasonable accommodation for events, please contact Marcel Hite ([email protected]) as soon as possible.
Guest Speakers: UCSF endeavors to create greater understanding and supports the exchange of diverse ideas. Views and opinions of guest speakers on campus are their own and may not reflect the perspective of the University.
Check out UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital’s Black History Month page for events, programs, resources, and more.
Check out the Black History 2025 Fact Sheet.
Black History Month 2025 Virtual Backgrounds
Download any of these virtual backgrounds and add them to your Zoom by following these steps:
- In the Zoom.us desktop client, go to 'Settings' as noted above and select 'Visual Background'.
- Using the (+) icon, upload your new background.
Test Your Knowledge:
Madame CJ Walker was the first African American woman to do what?
As a self-made business woman, she was one of the first American women and the first African American woman to become a self-made millionaire after launching her haircare schools and her cosmetic company centered on products for Black folks.
Was Black History Month always known as such?
No. It was originally recognized as Negro History Week on various college campuses and in a number of states during the second week of February. The first Black History Month wasn’t celebrated until 1970 at Kent State University and wasn’t recognized nationally until 1976 by President Gerald Ford.
Why is February the month that is recognized as Black History Month?
Two of the most prominent figures in American history that contributed to the liberation of Black slaves - Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass - have birthdays the second week of February and had been celebrated amongst the Black community for years prior to the formal recognition of the month.
What is Alexa Irene Canady best known for?
Dr. Alexa Canady was the first African American woman in the United States to become a neurosurgeon. She holds a B.S. degree in Zoology and a M.D. (cum laude) from the University of Michigan. Dr. Canady was chief of neurosurgery at the Children's Hospital of Michigan from 1987 until her retirement in June 2001.
UCSF Events
Black History Month Community Gathering: The Cookout
- Thursday, February 13th, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
- In-person, Clinical Sciences 0101, Parnassus Campus
- RSVP kindly requested: tiny.ucsf.edu/BHMTheCookout
Please join the Multicultural Resource Center for a community gathering centering joy and connection. Food will be provided by Blackberry Soul Fine Catering. Come by and gather with music, games, fun, and connection. All UCSF learners, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate.
Intersectionality and Health Equity in the Black Community
- Wednesday, February 19th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
- Hybrid, Rutter Center, Fisher Banquet Room, Mission Bay Campus and Zoom
- RSVP kindly requested: tiny.ucsf.edu/BHMHealthEquityPanel
Please join the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care, in collaboration with the UCSF Black Caucus and the Multicultural Resource Center, at our Black History Month panel discussion titled Intersectionality and Health Equity in the Black Community. This discussion aims to deepen our understanding of the complex issues affecting the Black community and to explore initiatives that promote health equity.
Panelists will include:
Dr. Renee Navarro, PharmD, MD, Vice Chancellor of Diversity and Outreach
Judy Young, MPH, Executive Director at the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health
Dr. Jonathan Butler, Ph.D, Associate Director of BHI, Family Community Medicine
Moderated by: Carroll Schreibman, Associate Chair of Finance & Administration for the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care.
Black & Trans in San Francisco: A Conversation with Honey Mahogany
- Wednesday, February 26th, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
- Hybrid, Byers Auditorium, Genentech Hall, Mission Bay Campus and Zoom
- RSVP kindly requested: tiny.ucsf.edu/BHMLecture
Please join the LGBTQ+ and Multicultural Resource Centers in welcoming Honey Mahogany, Director of the Office for Trans Initiatives for the City and County of San Francisco and Co-Founder of San Francisco’s Transgender District to campus to talk about her life, career trajectory, and starting San Francisco’s Transgender District, the first legally recognized transgender district in the world.
Community Events
Community Events:
Lunar New Year x Black History Month 2025: Celebrating Asian & African-American Solidarity
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Join the Oakland Asian Cultural Center on Saturday, February 1, 2025, as they partner with the Malonga Arts Residents Association (MARA), Eastwind Books of Berkeley, Marcus Books, and the Alameda County National Council of Negro Women for the third annual Lunar New Year x Black History Month Community Celebration.
Thrive City Black History Month Celebration
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Join for the annual Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, February 1st! Enjoy an afternoon full of vibrant live entertainment, featuring Queen Iminah & the AAFE Kids Dance Company and our Spoken Word Poetry Slam! Don’t miss out on our arts & craft station, free culinary delights from Black-owned businesses, and an inspiring talk by our guest speaker Otis R. Taylor on race and equity.
10th Annual Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir Black History Month Celebration
Sunday, February 2, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
OIGC celebrates its 10th Annual Black History Month Celebration at the iconic Freight! Join for a powerful musical journey that honors African American history, blending the depth of traditional and contemporary gospel with the stirring authenticity of Negro spirituals rarely heard outside the South. Feel the spirit and energy of OIGC up close in this intimate setting—an annual fan favorite that fills up fast. Secure your tickets today and be part of this milestone celebration!
Museum of African Diaspora (MoAD) Open Mic Night
Sunday, February 2, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Join MoAD for our first in-person Open Mic since 2020 to kick off Black History Month. Hosted by poet Nia Pearl, participate in an evening of spoken word, featuring Ramona Laughing Brook Webb and other amazing poets. All are welcome to either perform or just watch. Wine and light refreshments will be served!
California Academy of Sciences Nightlife: Black Thursday
Thursday, February 6, 2025, 6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
In honor of Black History Month, California Academy of Sciences is hosting their second annual celebration of Black joy, featuring a night full of energetic dance, soulful live music, a marketplace with 20+ Black-owned local businesses, and a whole lot more. Come dance, drink, and celebrate the Black experience.
MoAd: Throwback to the Future: Dance Artists in Dialogue
Friday, February 7, 2025, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
MoAD hosts the Black Choreographers Festival: Here & Now, Celebrating 20 years of Black Arts & Culture. The "Throwback to the Future" panel explores the Sankofa Process by invoking memory to understand the present and future possibilities of Black dance makers in the Bay Area. "Sankofa," in the Ghanaian Twi language, means to "Go Back and Get It," or the path to self-knowledge is to understand how the past figures into the present and an empowered future.
Saturday, February 8, 2025, 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join MoAD every Second Saturday for Thrive @ MoAD, a free community day sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, with free admission to all exhibitions! At 12pm, 2pm & 4pm join for performances of Healing Intimacy. Choreographers/collaborators Dazaun Soleyn and Algin “Align” Sterling create and perform an engaging structured movement & music improvisation in response to Liberatory Living: Protective Interiors and Radical Black Joy. Each iteration is different, come for one or stay for all three!
The Second Mondays Open Mic w. Gold Beams x The Black Joy Parade
Monday, February 10, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Second Mondays is a multi-disciplinary open mic for Black people to share and enjoy incredible art. The stage welcomes comedy, poetry, singing, rapping, instrumentalists, and more! Each year, Gold Beams partners with Black Joy Parade to bring you a special edition of the Second Mondays Open Mic. The winner gets to perform on the Black Joy Parade stage!
Thursday After Hours at OMCA | Pop-Up Performance: August Lee Stevens and Gallery Chats
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Join Oakland Museum of California at the Gallery of California Natural Sciences for an unforgettable evening featuring intimate performances by August Lee Stevens.Known for her unique blend of folk, neo-soul, and powerful storytelling, August’s dynamic sound will fill the gallery with both raw emotion and rich melodies. In between performances, you can explore OMCA’s award-winning galleries, enjoy delectable bites and beverages from Town Fare Café, and vibe to music curated by DJ Mark DiVita.
MoAd: Love + Basketball: My Freedom Gotta Rim On It
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Join for an Artist Talk & Reception celebrating our special exhibition Love + Basketball: My Freedom Gotta Rim On It with artist Ann "Sole Sista" Johnson in conversation with Curator Key Jo Lee. Coinciding with the NBA All-Star Weekend in San Francisco as well as Black History Month, the exhibition will present Johnson’s first-ever solo museum show on the West Coast featuring works that closely examine basketball through the lens of consumerism, materialism, success, and aspiration.
Death of the Author: Nnedi Okorafor with Faith Adiele
Thursday, February 13, 2025, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Nnedi Okorafor’s brilliant, galaxy-spanning stories have earned some of speculative fiction’s most prestigious awards. Her visionary writing resonates across genres, from comics, screenplays, and short fiction to works for young readers. Join Litquake and Museum of the African Diaspora for a memorable event celebrating Okorafor’s spectacular new work of fiction. Okorafor will be in conversation with writer Faith Adiele at this free event, followed by a book signing; reservations are strongly encouraged and include the option to pre-order a copy of Death of the Author.
SOUL FOOD - Celebrating Creative Growth's Black Artist Community
Friday, February 14, 2025, (ongoing)
Creative Growth Art Center is proud to present Soul Food. Rooted in Oakland’s rich cultural history, this extra-special show serves up a feast of bold artistry, community, and self expression. From thought-provoking paintings to intricate textiles, Soul Food highlights the unique perspectives and stories of Black artists. Don’t miss this inspiring celebration of art, culture, and connection!
As part of the opening celebration, guests are invited to join a special doll-making activity inspired by Creative Growth artist Tanisha Warren's handmade dolls. Participants will have the opportunity to create clothing for unique doll forms using techniques inspired by Tanisha's work. All materials provided. All ages welcome!
Black History Month x Lunar New Year Celebration: Bones & Tiles
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
To celebrate both Black History Month and the Lunar New year, Alkali Rye invites you to the timeless games of both Dominoes and Mahjong! Join for a day of fun, connection, and friendly competition, with guided play, tastings, and a pop-up food experience that blends Black and Asian cultures.
MoAD: Art Collecting in the NBA
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Celebrate NBA All Star Weekend at MoAD with a discussion about Art Collecting in the NBA. Join for a conversation with former NBA player Wilson Chandler and Art Advisor Gardy St. Fleur, moderated by Bay Area newscaster Carolyn Tyler. The discussion will be followed by a reception.
OMCA: Spotlight Sundays: Gospel at the Museum
Sunday, February 16, 2025, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
This Black History Month, join for a powerful night of gospel music at the museum created by Dr. Adam “Ology” Rogers—radio station owner, music producer, and community organizer. Hosted by KPOO radio personality DJ Sherita (Re Re) Evans, this performance uplifts the deep ties between gospel music and African American history. Featuring renowned gospel artists, the performance musically reflects various key dynamics in African American history, from antebellum hymns of resistance to Civil Rights anthems and modern gospel; it’s a celebration of how gospel music has inspired hope, sparked change, and connected generations.
MoAD: Re-Mapping Home: Reflecting on and Reshaping the Cartographic Practice
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Join for a dialogue between Hanna Hearn, previous MoAD intern and current senior at the University of San Francisco, and Justin Hosbey, assistant professor in the College of Environmental Design at UC Berkeley. Their conversation will address themes of Black domesticity, Black notions of “home,” and the importance of countermapping as a Black spatial practice. After their discussion, attendees will be invited to reflect on their own spatial relationships by participating in a countermapping activity.
Sunday, February 23, 2025, 11:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join to celebrate Black joy, fuel Black business, community, art, music, and more. The Black Joy Parade provides the Black community and allies an experience that celebrates the community’s influence on cultures past, present and future. UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital will be participating in the parade procession, which will begin at Frank Ogawa plaza in Downtown Oakland.
Thursday After Hours at OMCA | Pop-up Performance: MeloDious Nights and Gallery Chats
Thursday, February 27, 2025, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Join for an unforgettable night in the Gallery of California History with MeloDious Nights! Immerse yourself in an eclectic, soulful sound experience as the talented group from Oakland takes the stage. MeloDious will deliver a dynamic performance featuring their signature vocal harmonies, original arrangements, and creative talents.
Read, Listen, Watch:
Read:
- A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
- All About Love by bell hooks
- Beloved by Toni Morrison
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Black feeling, Black talk, Black judgement by Nikki Giovanni
- Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
- Disappearing Acts by Terry McMillan
- Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin
- Gorilla, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara
- Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
- Killing the Black Body by Dorothy Roberts
- Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin
- On Beauty by Zadie Smith
- Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
- Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- The Collected Autobiographies of Maya Angelou by Maya Angelou
- The Collected Essay of Ralph Ellison by Ralph Ellison
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
- The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton
- The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr.
- The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
- Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
- Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
- We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Podcasts:
- 74 Seconds
- BIG FACTS
- Code Switch
- Ear Hustle
- Equity
- GirlTrek’s Black History Bootcamp
- Man to Man: A Wellness Series
- Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast
- Still Processing
- The Laverne Cox Show
- The Nod
- Therapy for Black Girls
- Truth Be Told
- Unbothered
- United States of Anxiety
- Well Read Black Girl
Films:
- 13th
- Blindspotting
- Do The Right Thing
- Fruitvale Station
- Get Out
- Hidden Figures
- I Am Not Your Negro
- If Beale Street Could Talk
- Is That Black Enough for You?!?
- John Lewis: Good Trouble
- Marshall
- Moonlight
- Pariah
- Paris Is Burning
- Rustin
- Selma
- The Hate U Give
- The Nickel Boys
- Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am
TV Shows: