From seminars to fancy nights out, there’s so many ways for you to immerse yourself in Black culture and learn more about the community.

The life, contributions and achievements of the Black community can be heard when you turn on the radio, can be tasted if you treat yourself to Afro cuisine, and more subtly – can be felt every day as you go about your life with rights and freedoms that have been in part guaranteed by Black efforts from the front lines of war to the political sphere.

Though great strides forward have been made, Black people are among the many marginalized groups that continue to face discrimination and have their place in history undermined. Since 2008, Black History Month has been legally recognized in an effort to uplift the Black community. This year, USask continues the annual celebration with this year’s theme of “Celebrating Black Experiences, Arts, Literature and More.”

All throughout February, Black experiences and successes are being showcased through an exciting series of events happening on campus.

An event held on February 1st in Place Riel marked the beginning of Black History Month celebrations at USask. Students, faculty, and staff (along with the Black Faculty and Staff Caucus) held an enchanting speech on the importance of celebrating Black History Month, the experiences, legacy, contributions and work of the Black community across all disciplines on campus. 

The Mosaic of Black Joy and Wellness photo exhibited was hosted by the Student Wellness Centre, the Saskatchewan Association of Black Social Workers and USask Black Faculty and Staff Caucus. The beautiful exhibit, led by Florence Mudzongo, a social worker at the Student Wellness Centre, was displayed in Place Riel from February 6th to February 9th. 

It was a true pleasure attending the opening speech — the event was planned with so much dedication, passion and love, that it was nearly impossible not to tear up. We got to hear from several undergraduate and graduate students, including The Sheaf’s own Copy Editor Azee Amoo, whose photos were also on display in the gallery. Azee wanted to communicate how Black joy and wellness is not only found in grandiose stories of overcoming hardships, but mostly in everyday life. 

And what Black joy and wellness means to the participants is exactly what the photos in the exhibit, which were all taken in Saskatoon, were planned to show. Some memorable ones showed the joy in spending time with one’s family, sharing culture, dishes, and experiences, the welcoming arms of the Black community to newcomers in Saskatoon, and learning to navigate life’s challenges.

The Cultural Wellness Club, which is a part of Peer Health, is hosting an array of interesting events. In early February, they hosted the first three parts of a four-part series named Social Insights, organized by Audrey Ajose (who was also a participant in the Mosaic of Black Joy and Wellness exhibit) which is focused on “different aspects of the Black experience.” 

The first three parts had guest speakers invited to shed light on Racism and Mental Health, The Adultification of Black Children, and Black Joy & Wellness, respectively. The fourth part, scheduled for February 27th in the USask Community Center (Marquis 104), will feature a talk focused on Black People in the Workforce given by Lecia Ellis, a graduate student in the College of Education. 

Another unique event hosted bi-weekly by the Cultural Wellness Club and facilitated by The Sheaf’s sweetheart Azee Amoo, is scene society’s movie screenings. During these events, attendees get to watch a foreign films and “explore new cultures through cinema.” The first movie screening, held on February 2nd, was of Rafiki, a Kenyan film directed by Wanuri Kahiu, and on February 16th, the Zambian film I Am Not A Witch. The next showing will be of a Spanish film and is scheduled for  March 1st.

The Provost’s Book Club will meet in the Administration Building on February 28th to finish reading and discussing The Black Prairie Archives: An Anthology. The anthology, edited by Karina Vernon, aims to challenge the understanding of Prairie literature. It compiles letters, recipes, and poetry, among other forms of writing, belonging to Black writers in the Prairies, and aims to enlighten us on the “Prairie’s Black histories, culture, and presences.” 

The College of Arts and Science Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultural Studies is hosting an event on February 21st featuring a presentation by Rita Idou on African Languages, philosophy and dance. Their presentation, titled “Languages spoken by African immigrants in Canada,” will be followed by another presentation on African Folk Philosophy as well as an entertainment program. 

The College is also hosting a panel discussion on this year’s Black History Month theme. The panelists are all very successful in their respective fields and attendees can expect fruitful and  active conversations. 

Another panel discussion will be held by the International Student and Study Abroad Centre and the College of Education on February 26th  in the ISSAC Lounge, focusing on the experiences of Black international students seeking employment in Canada. Black international graduates will share their experiences entering the workforce in Canada and issues impacting the entry of international students into the workforce will be discussed. 

The Pan-African Students Association’s Black History Month Gala, Noir Nuit, to be held on February 24th, promises an unforgettable “night of elegance and celebrations.” The Gala will display Black beauty and talent through live performances featuring “soulful melodies” and dance routines. Attendees are encouraged to dress their best and purchase tickets in advance! Another Gala will be hosted by the USask Black Faculty and Staff Caucus on February 29th in Marquis Hall. The event will feature a performance by Sonia Reid, a wildly talented gospel, soul and R&B singer, and serve authentic Afro-Caribbean food. 

In addition, the University is further celebrating Black History Month by keeping the Peter MacKinnon Building lit until February 29 in red, yellow, and green lights, and USask Culinary Services will be offering a special Soul Food menu on February 28 featuring South African, Haitian and Southern U.S. dishes. 

More information on the events, including dates, times and registration, can be found on the University’s Dates & Events Calendar. Showing up to support the Black community on campus is the least we can do to continue celebrating Black joy, experiences, success and achievements, wellness, contributions, and life.