Black Heritage Month 2020

The St. John’s University community will soon celebrate Black Heritage Month (BHM) on both the Queens and Staten Island, NY, campuses.

Black Heritage Month (also known as  Black History/African American Heritage Month) is celebrated nationally in February. BHM pays tribute to and honors the rich and diverse culture, legacy, traditions, histories, and contributions made by Black individuals and communities.

In recognition of Black Heritage Month, the Office of Multicultural Affairs has organized a schedule of events under the multicampus theme, “Blackᐧish: Not Your Average Narrative.”

We invite all St. John's alumni to join us at these events.

Black Alumni Association 30th Year Celebration

February 27; 7-11 p.m.

Pa-Nash, 144-14 243rd Street Rosedale, NY 11422

Your ticket includes appetizers, non-alcoholic beverages, and a $10 donation to the Phyllis Bell Scholarship, established in 2002 in honor of our founder. All alcoholic beverages are cash bar.

Purchase tickets.

Queens Campus

The Wiz! Musical Production
January 30; 8 p.m.
January 31; 8 p.m.
February 1; 2 p.m.
February 1; 8 p.m.
The Little Theatre

St. John’s University Performing Arts, Division of Student Affairs, Haraya: The Pan-African Students’ Coalition; the Office of Multicultural Affairs and other collaborators present The Wiz! Come on and ease on down to the SJU Little Theatre for an experience you don’t want to miss! Tickets are available here for $15 (general admission) and $10 (students and senior citizens).

Black Table Talk
Thursday, February 6; Common Hour (1:50–3:15 p.m.)
D’Angelo Center, Sodano Coffee House

Inspired by Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk, we are pleased to host our very own Black Table Talk. Similarly, this event tackles current social and cultural issues within the Black community. Join our audience as we center on four guests unpacking narratives of Blackness from the lens of their own lived experiences. The event closes with an audience Q&A. Light refreshments are provided. Collaborators, hosts, and sponsors: Haraya: The Pan-African Students’ Coalition and NAACP

Soca, Afrobeats, and Paint
Thursday, February 20; 5–7 p.m.
D’Angelo Center, Sodano Coffee House

Join us for a fun evening of painting with Soca and Afrobeats. This event is inspired by the popular Trap & Paint and Paint ’n Sip events. While Soca is a genre of music originating in Trinidad (also known as calypso music filled with elements of soul), Afrobeats is a genre that began in the 1960s and is most known as a catch-all term for all popular music emerging from the African continent. We invite guests to a painting experience filled with the amazing instruction, beats, and energy of our guest DJ, hype man, and artist/instructor. Painting seats are first come, first serve, and are limited to students. Collaborators, hosts, and sponsors: Caribbean Student Association, African Student Association, and Haraya: The Pan-African Students’ Coalition

Queen & Slim Film and Discussion
Thursday, February 27; 5 p.m.
D’Angelo Center, Room 128

Join us as we watch and explore the narratives of Black love and life from the 2019 film, Queen & Slim. This is a collaborative event with Haraya: The Pan-African Students’ Coalition. Light refreshments are provided.

About the film: "From trailblazing, Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe (Netflix’s Master of None) and Melina Matsoukas, the visionary director of some of this generation’s most powerful pop-culture experiences, including Beyonce’s “Formation” and the Nike “Equality” campaign, comes Makeready’s unflinching new drama, Queen & Slim. Joining a legacy of films such as Bonnie and Clyde and Thelma & Louise, Queen & Slim is a powerful, consciousness-raising love story that confronts the staggering human toll of racism and the life-shattering price of violence.”silverscreeninsider.com

Haraya’s Annual Black and White Ball
Saturday, February 29; 7 p.m.
D’Angelo Center Ballroom

Haraya: the Pan African Students’ Coalition will host its 30th annual Black and White Ball. Ticketing information is available through the Campus Concierge.

For more information on Black Heritage Month (Queens) events, please visit  www.stjohns.edu/oma  or contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs at
[email protected]; 718-990-2515 during campus business hours.

Staten Island Campus

Black Table Talk
Thursday, Feb. 6; Common Hour (1:50–3:15 p.m.)
Kelleher Center, Lower Level L10

Inspired by Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk, we are pleased to host our very own Black Table Talk. Similarly, this event will tackle current social and cultural issues with within the Black community. Join our audience as we center on four guests unpacking narratives of Blackness from the lens of their own lived experiences. The event closes with an audience Q&A. Light refreshments provided.

Film and Discussion: Queen & Slim
Thursday, February 13; 5–8 p.m.
Spellman Hall, Blackbox Theatre

Join us as we watch and explore the narratives of Black love and life from the 2019 film, Queen & Slim. Light refreshments provided.

About the film: "From trailblazing, Emmy-winning writer Lena Waithe (Netflix’s Master of None) and Melina Matsoukas, the visionary director of some of this generation’s most powerful pop-culture experiences, including Beyonce’s “Formation” and the Nike “Equality” campaign, comes Makeready’s unflinching new drama, Queen & Slim. Joining a legacy of films such as Bonnie and Clyde and Thelma & Louise, Queen & Slim is a powerful, consciousness-raising love story that confronts the staggering human toll of racism and the life-shattering price of violence.” silverscreeninsider.com

Black History Trivia
Thursday, February 27; Common Hour (1:50–3:15 p.m.)
Kelleher Center, Kiernan Suite

Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs as we test participant knowledge of Black History using a game of trivia. Light refreshments provided.