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Each year in February, Raritan Valley Community College marks Black History Month with a lineup of events that honor the Black community. RVCC’s 2023 theme is “Celebrating Our Joy.”

“These days, we’re in a time and space where we really need experiences that make us smile and make us proud,” says Rhonda Stewart, program specialist at RVCC’s Paul Robeson Institute for Ethics, Leadership, and Social Justice. “We’re here to educate, but we’re also here to embrace the joy that comes along with Black History Month.”

• What is Black History Month? Held each February, Black History Month celebrates the achievements and contributions of African Americans and recognizes their central role in shaping U.S. history.
• Why is February Black History Month? February is the birth month of two influential figures in Black history: Abraham Lincoln, born February 12, and Frederick Douglass, born February 14. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free the enslaved, and Douglass, who escaped slavery, was a celebrated orator and a national leader in the abolitionist movement.
• How is RVCC celebrating Black History Month? RVCC is hosting a number of Black History Month events for the campus community and general public. Read on to learn more!

Calendar of Black History Month Events for the RVCC Community

• February 1: Black History Month kickoff event: “Celebrating Our Joy,” with African drumming, refreshments, and more.
  4 pm - 6 pm, Conference Center
• February 8: Men’s panel discussion: “We Gon' Be Alright: Navigating the World as Men of Color.”
  4:30 pm - 6 pm, Atrium
• February 14: Discussion on hair politics with playwright Fran Da Silveira: “You Can’t Touch It.”
  1 pm, Virtual Event
• February 16: Discussion centered around the Crown Act: “I Am Not My Hair.”
  1 pm - 2:20 pm, Paul Robeson room
• February 21: African Dance Workshop.
  1 pm, Event Center Room C
• February 23: EOF and Paul Robeson Institute host Movie Night.
  4:30 pm, Conference Center
• February 28: Black Student Alliance: Black History Month Closing Ceremony.
  1pm - 2 pm, Atrium (tentative location)

For more information on these events, please contact Rhonda Stewart at Rhonda.Stewart@raritanval.edu

Black History Month Events Open to the Public

• Planetarium Show: Follow the Drinking Gourd

Saturdays, February 18 & 25, 3 pm

Follow a family trying to escape oppression as the Big Dipper guides them through a frightful but rewarding voyage. Visitors can sing along with the slaves who used the song of the “Drinking Gourd” to travel north on foot from Alabama to Canada. Based on Jeanette Winters’ book by the same title, this show describes the astronomy behind the song “Follow the Drinking Gourd.” Recommended for ages 6-12. Click here for ticket information.

• Special Event: Exploring the Underground Railroad Using Codes

Saturdays, February 18 & 25, between 2 pm and 5 pm
To tie in with the planetarium show, RVCC will host a series of drop-in activities that focus on the Underground Railroad—a secretive network of people and places that helped thousands of enslaved people move northward as far as Canada to escape slavery. Families can earn “passport” stickers by exploring hands-on activities and viewing displays about nature, codes, and African Americans who have made a difference. Regular Planetarium admission is charged, but there is no charge for the special exhibition and drop-in activities. For more information, call 908-231-8805 or email planet@raritanval.edu. 

Curated Resources: Learn Something New Every Day

RVCC’s Evelyn S. Field Library is encouraging the campus community to learn something new about Black History every day through their calendar of curated online resources. Designed to be explored on your own, many of these resources require an RVCC login. Topics include:

• February 1: Read about Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first African American woman to become a physician in the United States.   
• February 2: Read about the life of President Obama and follow the timeline of how he became the first Black president of the U.S.
• February 3: Celebrate the life of American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou by watching her read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” at President Clinton's 1993 inauguration. 
• February 4: Read about Lena Horne, a successful black actress and singer who would not appear in any role that was demeaning to her as a woman of color. 
• February 5: Listen to blues and gospel songs that document what may be the first folk festival organized entirely by and for African Americans.
• February 6: Listen to Martin Luther King Jr. give his "I Have a Dream" speech.
• February 7: Read how NASA renamed their Washington headquarters after Mary W. Jackson, the first African American female engineer.
• February 8: Read the commencement address given by philanthropist Robert F. Smith who, with his family, surprised the Morehouse College class of 2019 with a grant to pay off their student loans.
• February 9: Read an article about the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. 
• February 10: Read a short biography of the life and legacy of W. E. B. Du Bois, one of the leading Black scholars and an activist for equal rights for Black Americans.
• February 11: Read an interview with Harvey Gantt, the first African American student to attend Clemson University and the first African American mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Relevant RVCC Organizations & Resources

• The Paul Robeson Institute at RVCC provides resources and programming in various mediums that embody the core values of Paul Robeson—a social justice leader and son of a runaway slave. The Institute serves as a repository for educational materials, historical records, and memorabilia. It also regularly hosts an array of cultural happenings, such as exhibits, lectures, concerts, and artistic events.
• The Black Students Alliance (BSA) is an inclusive group for the advancement and empowerment of Black students. Their goal is to enhance the Black student community at RVCC through education, community outreach, and social activities. Please reach out to Rhonda Stewart at Rhonda.Stewart@raritanval.edu for more information.
• The members of Brothers Helping Brothers work to develop success strategies that support African American and Hispanic males attending RVCC. The goals are to increase minority retention and the number of students graduation from RVCC. Please reach out to Jeff Warren at Jeff.Warren@raritanval.edu for more information.
• Many students of color at RVCC benefit from The Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF), which provides academic and economic assistance to help eligible students earn their college degree and make the transition to college easier. Learn more here.

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About Raritan Valley Community College

RVCC is ranked the #1 community college in NJ by both WalletHub and Intelligent.com. The College offers more than 90 degree and certificate programs, from academics to professional certifications in a variety of fields. With small class sizes, a rich campus life, and affordable tuition, RVCC is a smart alternative to state schools and private colleges in New Jersey. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.