As the campus community reflects on the achievements of African Americans and their significance on American history, Stan State organizations hope you’ll join in celebrating Black History Month during upcoming events.
Monday, February 14
ASI and the Black Student Union (BSU) will host a Valentine’s Day Paint Night on Zoom with the theme “Black Icons,” where students will create paint by number art with kits donated by the Stan State Associated Students Inc. (ASI).
Although the last day to pick up one of the kits has passed, BSU President Julian Johnson (senior, Psychology) hopes that students will still join in the fun.
“It’ll still be open if folks want to come, chill, and appreciate good art,” Johnson said.
The evening will be an opportunity for students to converse, listen to a specially curated playlist featuring black icons, and have the opportunity to win a number of items from black owned businesses.
“They can expect good music, and if they have the paint kit they can participate and follow along with the artist as they paint and discuss black history. And throughout the event, we’ll have a random wheel generator so participants can win those items,” Johnson said.
Join the event here from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on February 14.
Friday, February 18 
The Stan State Ethnic Studies Department will host the 4^th Annual Black Power Matters event on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The evening will feature a panel of speakers with discussions centered around the theme of “Black Power Matters: Knowledge. Truth. Liberation.” The discussion will include speaker Michael Baldwin, a Modesto NAACP spokesman and activist, among others.
For students on campus, the BSU will host a screening of the event as it takes place in the Village Café and offer up a spread of soul food to enjoy while watching.
Johnson said he hopes the live showing of the Black Power Matters event will be an opportunity to involve the campus community.
“I think it’ll be a great night,” he said. “It’ll be a night where we can all engage in some really meaningful conversations and meaningful dialogue, as well as hear from wonderful people speaking and reflecting on black history, what it means for black people, and what it means for America.”
BSU Co-President, Sasha Thompson (junior, Communication Studies and Art History) sees the event as a way to re-connect and keep the movement going.
“There are a lot of students who haven’t been on campus since COVID started, so it’ll just create that sort of unity for them and for those coming back who want to re-connect with their community,” Thompson said.
You can register for Black Power Matters here.
Friday, February 22
BSU and the Warrior Cross Cultural Center will host an Open Mic event on Zoom from Noon to 1:30 p.m. During this event, members of the Stanislaus State campus community will have the opportunity to express themselves and showcase their talents through song, poem, monologue, comedy, lyrics or spoken word. 
You can register for the Open Mic event here.