RENO, Nev. — The ÐÔ°®ÎåÉ«Ìì, Reno will honor Black history, culture and community with a series of events hosted in February. The month-long program embraces the theme of Afrofuturism, artistic, social and political efforts that celebrate a future in which African-descended people play a central role.
The month’s signature event, the Black Cultural Festival, will be held on Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Joe Crowley Student Union ballrooms. Open to faculty, staff, students and community members, the celebration will feature food, music, performances and a chance to engage with on- and off-campus partners. Other events open to the local community include the Nevada Men’s Basketball game on Feb. 10 and the Nevada Women’s Basketball game on Feb. 26.
The program is coordinated by the Associated Students of the ÐÔ°®ÎåÉ«Ìì (ASUN), the Diversity, Social Justice and Inclusion committee within Residential Life, the African Student Association, the Black Student Organization and the Multicultural Center.
“I’m so glad to be in a position in ASUN where I can bring Black culture and history in all its facets to the forefront. The Center for Student Engagement did a survey and found that Black students on campus were more likely to feel like they don’t belong on campus,” AnnaMarie Oshiokpekhai, director of the ASUN Department of IDEA, said. “I saw Black Cultural Festival to be an annual reminder that we do belong, we are worthy of attention and celebration, and we are part of the next generation changing the world. To be able to celebrate our history, culture, joy and roles in the future, things people everywhere are trying to deny and suppress, genuinely brings me so much happiness!”
"Throughout February, The Multicultural Center will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the third floor of the JCSU as a space for students to connect, create and decompress while celebrating Black History Month. Each week, we’ll engage in cultural crafts that honor Black art and history,” Interim Director of the Multicultural Center Markie Wilder said. “In a time when community and belonging matter more than ever, we remain committed to supporting our students, cultivating a space where culture, creativity and resilience thrive."
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Media are invited to attend two events during Black History Month. Media driving unmarked vehicles can contact Jessica Lozada, jfagundes@unr.edu or 775-217-8521, to pick up a parking pass.
Share the Crown hair care drive
WHAT: University students, faculty and staff will help create hair care packages for Black Wall Street Reno, a nonprofit organization formed to meet the ever-present needs of the Black community, at-risk teens and underserved minority groups in the Reno/Sparks area.
WHEN/WHERE: Feb. 11, 6-8 p.m., Joe Crowley Student Union, rooms 323 and 324
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Interviews with University students and faculty will be available.
Black Cultural Festival
WHAT: University students, faculty, staff as well as community members will enjoy food, music, performances and an opportunity to engage with on- and off-campus partners during the month’s signature event.
WHEN/WHERE: Feb. 25, 5:30 p.m., Joe Crowley Student Union, fourth-floor ballrooms
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Interviews with University students and faculty will be available.
Media Contact
Jessica Lozada
Communications Officer
Marketing and Communications
Phone: (775) 784-6186
Email: jfagundes@unr.edu
The ÐÔ°®ÎåÉ«Ìì, Reno is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Nevada’s land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the ÐÔ°®ÎåÉ«Ìì, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the ÐÔ°®ÎåÉ«Ìì, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world.
