Black History Month at Gonzaga 2024

Black history is American history, and honoring Black History Month during February offers an opportunity to showcase myriad special events designed to educate, entertain and enlighten. All of these events are taking place on the Gonzaga campus.

Washington State Rising Book Discussion

Feb. 1, 5:30 p.m., Hemmingson Auditorium

The Office of Inclusive Excellence and the History Department welcome Cal State-San Bernadino history scholar Marc A. Robinson to discuss his book “Washington State Rising.” Robinson’s book documents the origins, actions, and impact of the Black Student Union (BSU) in Washington from 1967 to 1970, and the prominent role BSU chapters played in the Black Power Movement.

The Black Lens: Spokane Black Voices Symposium

Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center

Northwest Passages hosts African American students from the Spokane area presenting their work focusing on the theme. “Black Joy - An Aspirational Mindset” at this event that also serves as the relaunch of the Black Lens newspaper.

The Sound of [Black] Music

Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center

Enjoy a dynamic production that reimagines one of America's most beloved musical classics (“The Sound of Music”) through an Afrofuturistic lens utilizing the sounds of jazz, soul, funk, and hip-hop. Tickets are $30-$48. Purchase tickets.

 

Black Liturgies for Staying Human: A Space for Healing

Tuesdays starting Feb. 6 at 8:15 a.m. and Fridays starting Feb. 9 at 12:15 p.m., through March 8

This event aims to create a space and practice of worship grounded in safety, inclusion and community, using Cole Arthur Riley’s "Black Liturgies" prayer, poem, and meditation book as a guide. It will foreground an accessible, open, and wonder-inducing spirituality “grounded not in articulation of doctrine or creed, but in storytelling, myth, humor, and the Black body.” Liturgies will draw from and speak to a variety of spiritual practices. Locations for the Black Liturgies events will rotate between the Humanities Building, UMEC office, Lincoln LGBTQ Center and the Hearth Room in College Hall; click here for more details and a full schedule. 

Art & Activism: The Color of Fear Film Screening and Dialogue

Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Hemmingson Ballroom
Join UMEC for a film screening and dialogue on this impactful film documenting a conversation held around race relations in the U.S., organized by director Lee Mun Wah, through the eyes of people of different races and cultural backgrounds.

A Cultural Explosion: An Exploration of the Black Diaspora

Feb. 10, 6 p.m., Hemmingson Ballroom

GU’s Black Student Union presents a dinner celebrating an array of cuisines from around the world. Tickets are $15 for students, $16 for GU community members. Get more information and find the link to buy tickets on Instagram @gonzagabsu.

Duke Ellington: From Swing to Sacred

Feb. 24, 7:30 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center

A concert celebrating the music of Duke Ellington featuring faculty, students and professional musicians from Spokane’s classical and jazz communities. Performers include Gonzaga faculty vocalist Jadrian Tarver and Boston-based conductor and Gonzaga alum William Drury leading the the Spokane Symphony Chorale. Tickets are $5-$15. Purchase tickets.

Black History Month at Foley Library

Feb. 1-29

Foley Library is collaborating with GU Social Justice Peer Educator Zen Brown to highlight the stories of Black Americans whose lives are overshadowed by other popular figures in Black history. A Black History Month display will showcase five Black individuals who’ve helped shape the meaning behind Black experiences, as well as books written about or by Black authors that illuminate the diversity of Black experiences in America. There is also an online guide to celebrating Black history.