Sonoma State University

Black Graduation 2024

Celebrate Our Black Grads!

Black History Month Celebration

Black History Month (BHM), or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S history. Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life, which initiated the first variation of Black History month, titled, Negro History Week in 1926 during the second week of February. It was not until 1976 that every president designated the month of February as Black History Month.

BHM programs and events at Sonoma State University is a collaborative effort between students, staff, faculty, and members of the local community. For more information regarding Black History Month, visit the Association for the Study of African American Life & History (ASALH) website.

"If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated."

- Carter G. Woodson

Lunch and Opening Ceremony

Thursday, February 1 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | HUB Cultural Center

Join the HUB Cultural Center as we kickoff Black History Month! The Black Student Union (BSU) will present "Hidden Figures" in Black History. We will also hear from Dr. Patrick Johnson, Assistant Professor in American Multicultural Studies (AMCS) as he shares perspective on this year's theme Black Art: For Us By Us #F.U.B.U. For any questions or accommodations, please contact austindi@sonoma.edu.

True Black History Museum

Thursday, February 8 | 3:00pm - 7:00pm | Ballroom A

Join us to witness the True Black History Museum- A traveling Black History exhibit with artifacts dating from the late 1700s to the 21st century. This museum was established to preserve the history of African American people and to educate others of the many great contributions that African Americans have made to mankind. The mission is to instill self-esteem and pride and to increase knowledge, awareness, cultural sensitivity, and understanding of the historic experience of African Americans. The collection takes you on a journey through the African American experience and includes over 1000 authentic artifacts and original documents from major historical figures. Attendants will be available  to answer any questions. QR codes will also be provided for a self guide experience. For any questions or accommodations, please contact atkinsm@sonoma.edu.

Juke Joint Jukebox: An Historical Cabaret

Saturday, February 10 | 1:00pm | Spreckels Performing Arts Center

Join us in a celebration of the history of African American Music and Culture with some of the greatest songs ever created. Spanning music from the 1920s through the 1960s, enjoy a time capsule of Black Music at its finest: soul, spirituals, pop and rock...it's all here for your pleasure and appreciation! Created by Gary Stanford. For tickets, please call the Spreckels Box Office at 707 588-3400. Box Office hours are Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5pm and one hour before show time.

2nd Annual Black Joy Celebration

Thursday, February 15 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Seawolf Plaza

Resilience, resistance, and perseverance have been focal points of Black liberation, but there’s a more positive side, too: Black liberation is about Black folks experiencing joy. As influential “joymakers” put it, Black people have always experienced joy, even long before a more recent visible movement started highlighting joy online and in real life. The Black Joy Celebration aims to promote unity on campus, celebrate the journey and progression of Black history, as well as engage in cross-cultural exchange. For any questions or accommodations, please contact austindi@sonoma.edu.

Social Justice in Action: The Artistry of Nipsey Hussle

Thursday, February 22 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm | HUB Cultural Center

Bay Area artist Samuelu Veu will lead a discussion workshop on the impact and legacy of musical artist Nipsey Hussle. Attendees will also write an original spoken word piece. For any questions or accommodations, please contact austindi@sonoma.edu.

7th Annual Black Joy Parade

Sunday, February 25 | 9:00am - 7:00pm | Oakland, CA

The Black Joy Parade exists to provide the Black community and allies a live experience that celebrates our influence on cultures past, present and future. We will unite a diverse community by creating a space to express each of our unique contributions to the Black experience. We invite you to be creative, be open, be present, be free. The day will include the parade starting at 12:30pm, as well as the Black Joy Celebration(12-7pm) that will include 200+ Black-owned vendors including food, drinks, clothing, handmade items, and more, 2 stages of Black performances, and so much more!   Sign up for this and other campus events, at the Student Center Info + Tickets Desk or online at tickets.sonoma.edu.

Please note that the parade starts at 12:30pm but we will get there early to ensure parking and to find spaces along the parade route to get a good view of the parade and access to the celebration. 

Black History Month - Existence Through Art: The Celebration Continues

Thursday, February 29 | 11:00am - 1:00pm | HUB Cultural Center

Join Associated Students and the HUB Cultural Center as we celebrate the final day of Black History Month with civil rights trivia, personal art creation, and lunch. For any questions or accommodations, please contact austindi@sonoma.edu.