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Black History Month 2025

Black History Month 2025 Events:

  • Evening of Inspiration
  • Black History Month Kickoff
  • Flavors of the Islands Cooking Demo
  • Black Hair and Storytelling as Activism with St. Clair Detrick-Jules
  • RnB Night
  • Alive In Rhythm: Hip-Hop Dance Workshops + Artist Talk with Kaelynn “KK” Harris
  • Afrobeats Night
  • Black Solidarity Dinner
  • ALANA X Library: Celebrating Black History Month

Evening of Inspiration

Monday, February 3rd at 5 p.m. in the CCMPR

In celebration of Black History Month, all are invited to attend in-person to view inspiring pieces of art, hear from faculty keynote speaker, Dr. Mariam Rashid, enjoy a lively music set presented by student DJ DelLaHoz, and mingling prior to the main Black History Month Kick-off celebration. Delicious appetizers and handcrafted mocktails will be served. Please note, this event will be in-person.

Photo of Dr. Mariam Rashid standing at the podium, speaking into the mic. To her left is the screen projector and to the right are white and gold-yellow balloons, next to where a student is leaning on the table while listening to Dr. Rashid's keynote.
Dr. Mariam Rashid—Visiting Assistant Professor of International Studies—during the Evening of Inspiration keynote address.
Photographer Credit: Sophie McNutt

Black History Month Kickoff

Monday, February 3rd at 6 p.m. in the Villard

All are invited to join us, in-person or virtually, for a special evening celebration to kick-off Black History Month. This year's theme, “Alive In Rhythm,” will include lively performances, speeches from student leaders, alum, and local community members. We will hear from faculty keynote speaker, Dr. Tamyka Jordon-Conlin, Assistant Professor of Music. There will be delicious foods, beverages, prizes, surprises, and more that you will not want to miss! This event will be in a hybrid format.  

Dr. Nicole Beveridge standing at the podium looking down as she speaks into the mic.
Dr. Nicole Beveridge, Director of the Jeh V. Johnson ALANA Cultural Center
Photo Credit: Sharon N. A. Parkinson
Dr. Tamyka Jordon-Conlin standing at the podium staring down as she speaks into the mic with her hands on the podium.
Dr. Tamyka Jordon-Conlin, Assistant Professor of Music
Photo Credit: Sharon N. A. Parkinson
Micah and Dara standing side by side behind the podium. Micah is speaking into the mic as Dara smiles with her hands together.
Dara Lurie ’83 and Micah Blumenthal
Photo Credit: Sharon N. A. Parkinson
Community speaker Miss Carmen standing at the podium with her left hand on the podium side and her right hand slightly elevated as she speaks.
Carmen McGill, Co-Founder and Board of Celebrating the African Spirit
Photo Credit: Sharon N. A. Parkinson

Flavors of the Islands Cooking Demo

Friday, February 7th at 7 p.m. in Danny Kaye at the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park Campus.

CIA’s BCS (The Black Culinarian Society) will be teaching us how to make Coconut Rum Cakes, Tostones, and Agua Fresca on Friday, February 7th, from 7 p.m.–9 p.m. in Danny Kaye (CIA Campus). Sign up to reserve your spot for the demo and the shuttle (shuttles leave at 6:30 p.m.). First 30 people to sign up will get priority!

Ten student leaders standing side by side in a line. The student in the center is holding up a square logo with Caribbean flags around the words "Students of Caribbean Ancestry." The students are standing under a sign that reads "Culinary Institute of America."
Student leaders of Students of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA) and the Black Culinarian Society (BCS) of the
Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.

Black Hair and Storytelling as Activism with St. Clair Detrick-Jules

Wednesday, February 12th at 6 p.m. in the ALANA Center Community Room.

St. Clair Detrick-Jules, author of My Beautiful Black Hair: 101 Natural Hair Stories from the Sisterhood (Chronicle Books, 2021), will be coming to Vassar on Wednesday, 2/12 at 6 p.m.

Join Student Growth and Engagement, the ALANA Center, and the Women’s Center for an empowering evening with filmmaker and author St. Clair Detrick-Jules. This event will explore the intersections of Black hair, storytelling, and activism. Discover how personal narratives and cultural expressions can inspire social change and celebrate identity. Please RSVP so we can have enough space, food, and books. 

The first 20 people to arrive at the event will get an autographed copy of her book.

Wide image of rows of people seated in chairs, with their backs to the camera looking forward at speaker St. Clair.

R & B Night

Saturday, February 15th at 10 p.m. in the Mug

The Council of ALANA Seniors is hosting R&B Night in the Mug on Saturday, February 15th, from 10 p.m.–1 a.m.

Alive In Rhythm: Hip-Hop Dance Workshops + Artist Talk with Kaelynn “KK” Harris

Saturday, February 22nd at 1–2:30 p.m. (Beg/Int)+ 2:30-3 p.m. (Talk) & 5–6:30 p.m. (Advanced) + 6:30–7 p.m. (Talk) in the Villard.

On Saturday, February 22nd, in the Villard Room, there will be two Hip-Hop Dance Workshops and Artist Talks with Guest Choreographer Kaelynn “KK” Harris. A prodigious talent who stepped into the professional dance world at 13. Her journey has been a whirlwind of collaborations with renowned brands, industry giants, and global icons since then. Her exceptional skills and dedication made her the first African American to be named an Olympic Dance Ambassador. Join us for a fantastic event showing what it means to be alive in rhythm!

Afrobeats Night

Saturday, February 22nd at 10 p.m. in the Mug.

The African Students’ Union is hosting Afrobeats Night in the Mug on Saturday, February 22nd, from 10 p.m.–1 a.m. Come by for a fun night of dancing with DJ Baba Yako!

Black Solidarity Dinner

Sunday, February 23rd, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Villard Room.

ALANA X Library: Celebrating Black History Month

Throughout the month of February, stop by the Vassar Libraries Main Library on display in the foyer for a list of books curated ALANA student leaders, ALANA Center staff, and Vassar Libraries’ librarians in celebration of Black History Month. View the bibliography of the books via the Vassar Libraries webpage.