Black History Month

Showing of the documentary TAFT. For almost a century, the State of Tennessee sent “wayward colored boys” and later white boys as well, to Taft, a reform school in a remote area of Appalachia. After hearing the same story repeatedly told by several different middle-aged men who had been at Taft as children, a woman who grew up in the region produced this documentary. It reveals the trauma and lasting damage to those boys, now men. Taft was finally closed in 2012. This 22-minute film challenges us to question whether our treatment of youthful offenders is that much better today.

Please come as we learn from Dr. Christina Edmondson, co-host of the award-winning Truth’s Table podcast, whose most recent co-authored books are InterVarsity Press’s 2023 Justice Award Book of the Year, Faithful Anti-Racism and Truth’s Table: Black Women's Musings on Life, Love and Liberation.

Join the CBSW to create thank you cards for Black faculty and staff who we deeply appreciate!

Join Belmont Counseling Services as we welcome back Sharde Curry to Belmont to share her story and make time to have conversations with students around her story and navigating suicide in her family.  Every year Sharde is a part of the Belmont Community as she is an Alum.  However, in the last few years since the passing of a relative due to suicide, Sharde has been engaging with our student body through sharing her story and listening to others.  Do not miss this one! 

BU Orchestras present a Celebration of Black History Month featuring works of jazz legends Charlie Parker and Mongo Santamaria and Black American composers William Grant Still and Valerie Coleman.

Join Mr. Harry Allen as he shares his inspiring personal journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Through his story, Harry will highlight the challenges he overcame, the lessons he learned, and the principles that helped him build a thriving career while empowering others to take control of their financial future.

Join us for an inspiring message from Rev. Reginald Sharpe, Jr., a dynamic preacher and community leader, as he delivers a powerful chapel address in honor of Black History Month. Experience a morning of reflection, celebration, and spiritual encouragement that uplifts the legacy of resilience and hope.

The Director and Assistant Director of Community Accountability will present how student conduct developed through Dixon vs. Alabama and the Civil Rights Movement.

Mr. Baker will be telling the story of his ancestors, who were enslaved on Wessyngton Plantation owned by the Washington family, as well as the story of hundreds of other African Americans connected to the plantation for more than two centuries.  It is a story of family, faith and community.

This special evening will include an interview-style conversation centered on Mr. Morton’s new book, Saturday Night Sunday Morning, as well as a live performance and book signing by Mr. Morton himself. Together, we’ll explore how music has served as a sustaining force and a source of purpose throughout his remarkable life and career. Through the lens of the performing arts, Mr. Morton will share powerful insights into the transformative power of music to inspire resilience, faith, and creativity.

A documentary from nurses, by nurses, on the explicit and implicit bias faced daily by nursing professions when trying to care for all people in need of care. The movie was created by the SHIFT community of nurses who's mission is to create a kinder, more nurturing culture where nurses can share ideas, innovations and experiences that will shape the future of nursing.

 After the documentary, we will have a "debriefing" session, hosted by Dr. Ernest Grant, the immediate past-president of the American Nurses Association.

This panel discussion will highlight the invaluable contributions of among Black architects, designers, and other professionals in architecture, interior design, fashion, and related fields.

Discover the art of juggling entrepreneurship and multiple jobs in this insightful discussion featuring successful multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs. Gain practical advice, hear inspiring stories, and learn strategies for managing time, energy, and priorities while pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams.

Join the Black Student Association for an unforgettable evening of elegance, community, and celebration of Black excellence. This gala honors achievements, fosters unity, and highlights the vibrant contributions of students and leaders making a difference. There will be special remarks by Youth Pastor Darrell Brown. Also, there will be a toiletry and canned goods drive. We are asking that each attendee bring at least one toiletry item or canned good.

Come join us for a celebration of African American Literature as we participate in the Annual National African American Read-In! Faculty and students will read from works created by African American authors, sharing the voices and experiences of black Americans. You may bring your favorites to share (reading time 2 minutes or less for the first round), or you're welcome just to listen to a sampling of the wonderful contributions of African American poets, novelists, essayists, memoirists, and playwrights. The National African American Read-In (AARI) is a groundbreaking effort to encourage communities to read together, centering African American books and authors. It was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. This initiative has reached more than 6 million participants around the world.

This groundbreaking work is an orchestral, literary, vocal, and visual journey that begins in West Africa and ends in present-day North America, exploring and honoring the experiences of generations of Black people and their descendants. Informed by his Christian faith and the traditions of gospel roots, Dr. Ames has created a work that spans generations in reckoning with our current societal vices of racism and injustice. Blending genres from classical to R&B, oration to spoken word, Dr. Ames explains, “Music has the unique ability to touch hearts and inspire change. With Requiem for Colour, I hope to create a space for reflection and conversation, encouraging us all to work towards a more just and unified world.”

Peace Summit: A Reflection on the Past, A Call to Action is a celebration that unites the power of civil rights, storytelling, history, music, scholarship, and community. This event shines a spotlight on the shared struggles and triumphs of two cities—Nashville, Tennessee, and Belfast, Northern Ireland—both of which have been deeply shaped by their histories of conflict and resilience.

Learn More & register here

Celebrate Black History Month at the Lila D. Bunch Library with a curated display honoring the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. Explore a selection of books, films, and artifacts showcasing Black excellence in literature, art, science, civil rights, and more.