February marks the celebration of Black History Month and UNB has been host to several events.
UNB has various activities and events planned for the month. To start off, a poster campaign will be showcased on level one of the Student Union Building until Feb. 29.
The posters highlight 25 Black people from New Brunswick who have made important contributions to the province in various fields. The campaign is a collaboration between the UNB Art Centre, the Black History Month Organizing Committee, and the bi-campus standing committee on Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights.
The first event on the Fredericton campus was a showing of the film Hidden Figures, on Feb. 7, hosted by the Black Student Law Society.
Other university events include a panel discussion focusing on the unique experiences of Black women, the fourth annual Black History Month public lecture, an exhibit by the UNB Art Centre, and a lunch for Black-identified students.
The panel discussion, Couch, Coffee & Convos: Black Women Taking Up Space, was hosted by the University Women’s Centre, and had discussions centred around the positions and spaces that Black women have in the community, on and off campus. The UNB History Department hosted their fourth annual Black History Month public lecture, featuring Dr. Barrington Walker, which focused on the life and political influence of the Honourable Leonard Braithwaite, one of the first Black Canadians elected as a Member of Parliament.
On Feb. 26 there will be a Lunch and Discussion for Black-identified students, from 12-2pm. A location is yet to be determined. The event will include food and refreshments, while offering a space for students to discuss their experiences as Black students on campus.
The UNB Art Centre will be hosting an exhibit that celebrates the lives and achievements of Black New Brunswickers, titled Rediscovering the Roots of Black New Brunswickers. The exhibit will take place from Feb. 21 to Mar. 27, at Memorial Hall.
Officially recognized by the Canadian government in 1995, Black History month aims to recognize and honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canadian society. The national theme for this year is “Canadians of African Descent: Going forward, guided by the past.” The various events hosted throughout the Fredericton community, on campuses or not, coordonate well to embody this theme.