Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in country's history. We join our country, and others, in celebrating this month with a calendar of events that embraces history, enriches our knowledge, and encourages us to celebrate the diversity within our Baylor family.
The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.
2023 Events
Bears Shine Bright
Friday, February 3, 2023
The spotlight is on you! Students express what they appreciate most about Black culture. Tune in on all Instagram accounts - @BaylorBSC & @BaylorMA1845 - as we kick off Black History Month!
Waco Family and Faith International Film Festival Celebrates Black History Month
Saturday, February 4, 2023 | 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Regal Cinemas-Hollywood Theaters
The Waco Family & Faith International Film Festival is “dedicated to empowering the creative spirit, serving with heart, and celebrating all.” The Festival includes multiple events from Feb. 1 through Feb. 4, hosted at a variety of locations and featuring a range of film topics. On February 4, you can enjoy multiple films celebrating Black History Month.
The Festival is led by a team of handpicked creatives, community leaders, educators, and business professionals who believe in equitable storytelling that represents all of us and celebrates our shared humanity.
Tickets: $5 or pass required
African American Foodways Seminars
Saturday, February 4, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
South Waco Library
Organized by the Waco-McLennan County Library, Gifts from The Ancestors is a culinary voyage into the West African food cultures, cooking techniques and cultural concerns that shaped Southern foodways. The event is free and open to the public.
Jazz 'N' Stanzaz
Sunday, February 5, 2023 | 7:20-8:30 p.m.
SUB Den
The Nu Iota Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. is hosting a night of art and culture at their annual Jazz 'N' Stanzaz Event. All students and faculty are welcome. There will various performances of poems, singing, and more.
If you are interested in performing, please visit our link HERE or contact makayla_williams10@baylor.edu.
Recognizing Local Black Heroes
Wednesday, February 6, 2023
Mayborn Museum Complex
Throughout the month of February, Mayborn Museum will feature posters displayed in various exhibits highlighting local Black heroes with QR codes to Waco History App articles.
Black History Month Walk with Baylor Oral History Department
Saturday, February 11, 2023 | 10 a.m.
McLennan County Courthouse, 501 Washington Ave.
Adrienne Cain and Stephen Sloan of the Baylor Oral History department will lead us on an exploration of downtown with an emphasis on the impact and legacy of African Americans in Waco. We will learn stories of Paul Quinn College, A. J. Moore High School, The Farmer’s Improvement Society and much more. Walkers are encouraged to pre-load the Waco History App on their devices, but this is not required to enjoy the walk. Walk is approximately 2 miles in length.
African American Foodways Seminars
Saturday, February 11, 2023 | 2-3:30 p.m.
East Waco Library
Organized by the Waco-McLennan County Library, Gifts from The Ancestors is a culinary voyage into the West African food cultures, cooking techniques and cultural concerns that shaped Southern foodways. The event is free and open to the public.
Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | 12 p.m.
Bill Daniel Student Center
Presented by the Department of Multicultural Affairs.
*Reservation required - limited availability. Please contact Multicultural Affairs for more information.
Waco Leaders Panel
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 | 6-7 p.m.
Kayser Auditorium Hankamer 101
Hear from community leaders how they’ve achieved success in the city of Waco.
"Time to Wake Up" Racism in the White Church
February 16-18, 2023
Truett Seminary, Paul W. Powell Chapel
The second event in a three-year sequence of events focused on confronting racism in the white church and seeking God's Justice, this year's event features Vann Newkirk, II, senior editor of The Atlantic; Beth Moore, evangelist, best-selling author and Bible teacher; Jemar Tisby, New York Times bestselling author; Sean Palmer, author and teaching pastor, Ecclesia; Dr. Todd Still, dean of Truett Seminary; and more from Baylor University. Learn more and register here.
46th Annual Big XII Conference on Black Student Government
February 16-18, 2023
Kansas State University
Student leaders assemble each academic year to continue to promote Black culture, leadership, positive self-efficacy, political power and awareness, and goodwill of the student body and Black community on the campus of each member institution.
African American Foodways Seminars
Saturday, February 18, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
West Waco Library
Organized by the Waco-McLennan County Library, Gifts from The Ancestors is a culinary voyage into the West African food cultures, cooking techniques and cultural concerns that shaped Southern foodways. The event is free and open to the public.
Mini Monday Storytime
Monday, February 20, 2023 | 10 a.m.
Mayborn Museum Complex
Monday mornings at Mayborn feature stories read by special guests, songs, and craft time inspired by the story. Feb. 20 features a special storytime with Ke’Sha Lopez, from KWTX. She will read, "Leaders: Bold Women in Black History" and "Little Leaders: Exceptional Men in Black History.” Event included with the price of Museum entry.
Black Faculty/Staff/Student Mixer
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 3:30-5 p.m.
Bill Daniel Student Center, Baines & Fentress
Panama in Black: Afro-Caribbean World Making in the Twentieth Century - Baylor Department of History
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 | 5-6 p.m.
Foster 240
Shining a Light on African Americans and Digital Humanities - University Libraries, College of Arts & Sciences, and the Office of the Provost
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 | 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Virtual - Zoom
Join the University Libraries, the College of Arts & Sciences, and the Office of the Provost as we present a lineup of presentations exploring some of the many ways African American stories can be researched and presented using a digital humanities approach.
This virtual event will be presented over Zoom. Send an email to university_libraries@baylor.edu to be added to our virtual audience and a link to the presentation will be emailed to you in advance of the event.
Black History Through the Archives - Black Faculty & Staff Association with Baylor Libraries - Institute for Oral History
Thursday, February 23, 2023 | 3:30-5 p.m.
Texas Collection (rsvp by 2/21)
Lifelong Learning Coffee at the Mayborn Museum ft. Waco’s Chief of Police, Sheryl D. Victorian “Better Together: Policing Waco”
Friday, February 24, 2023 | 9:30-11 a.m.
Mayborn Museum
African American Foodways Seminars
Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Waco Central Library
Organized by the Waco-McLennan County Library, Gifts from The Ancestors is a culinary voyage into the West African food cultures, cooking techniques and cultural concerns that shaped Southern foodways. The event is free and open to the public.
Black Heritage Banquet
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 | 6 p.m.
Foster 250
Presented by the Black Student Union in conjunction with the Department of Multicultural Affairs; *Speaker and ticket sales details will be released soon. Please email Multicultural Affairs for more information*