While February is when the country annually honors Black History Month, Syracuse University’s Black History Month 2025 celebratory offerings are already in full swing and will continue with programs and events that extend into March and throughout the rest of the year.
Examining Black life and culture through time and space, this year’s theme, “African Americans and Labor,” explores work and working of all kinds, free and unfree, skilled and unskilled, vocational and voluntary within the collective intersecting experiences of Black life and culture.
“This year’s Black History Month planning has been a labor of love,” says Cydavia Patterson, Barner-McDuffie House program coordinator and member of the Black History Month Committee. “The committee has put in long hours, lots of emails and phone calls and many back-to-back meetings. We hope this month inspires you to celebrate your heritage, revel in your history, practice cultural wellness and look for those who you can reach out to and reach back to.”
Calendar of Events
The campus community is invited to join these programs, events and discussions that began on Jan. 22 and continue through March 2.
“Black history is deeply ingrained in the foundation of this country, not just this month but year-round,” says Lael Pierce, assistant director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. “We honor the bravery, talent and contributions of the men and women who’ve excelled and enacted change in our society. Black history is American history.”
A complete listing of Black History Month events is available on the University Events Calendar. Among the highlights:
- Friday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Black History Month (BHM) Information Fair
- Friday, Jan. 31, 7-9 p.m.: Black History Month Kickoff
- Monday, Feb. 3, noon-2 p.m.: Hair Me Out
- Wednesday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.: Basketball Classic
- Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Cusecon
- Sunday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.: Closing Service Featuring Gospel Artist Richard Tolbert Jr.
- Sunday, March 2, 6-9 p.m.: Black History Month Closing Ceremony
For questions or to learn more, contact Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Student Success by emailing BIPOCSS@syr.edu or calling 315.443.0228.