Black History Month
UTC Black History Month 2024
Join us for these events and continue to check the calendar for event updates.
This year the Office of Multicultural Affairs has selected the theme of “African Americans and the Arts". There will be emphasis on the transformative experiences created by African Americans - past, present, and future pertaining to the artistic expression. This month will showcase the intellectual and collective impact of African Americans in music, dance, art, fashion, literature, theater, film, storytelling, spoken word, poetry, song, entertainment, innovation, arts education, and more.
Black History Month Timeline
When: February 1st - February 29th, 2024
Where: Lupton Hall Suite119, Multicultural Center
Description: Enjoy a visual timeline of contributions and accomplishments inside the Multicultural Center Learn more about the origins of Black History Month as we celebrate with music, the culture, the arts, the cuisine, and the heritage within American history.
Black History Month with UTC Library
When: February 1st - February 29th, 2024
Where: Click here to see featured media
Details: The library has created some online displays of resources for Black History Month. Streaming ebooks, feature films and documentaries.
THE PAST, PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE OF AFRICANA STUDIES AT UTC Library Collection
Where: Click here to see featured resources
Details: The Library has created some online displays of resources for Africana Studies.
Black History Month Kickoff Celebration - Soul Lounge
Date: Thursday, February 1, 2024
When: 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall First Floor and Multicultural Center
Sponsor: UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: Join us as we kickoff our Black History Month Celebration with a visual timeline of contributions and accomplishments, and network with our UTC family. Learn more about the origins of Black History Month as we celebrate with music, the culture, and the heritage within American history.
National HIV Awareness Day Outreach with CEMPA
Date: Monday, February 5, 2024
When: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Terrell Owens Way & Vine Street (University Center roundabout)
Sponsors: CEMPA Community Care, UTC Center for Wellbeing, and UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: The Center for Wellbeing and Office of Multicultural Affairs hosts Cempa Community Care as they provides resources regarding HIV Awareness, along with the CEMPA HIV testing van fro all to come out to receive free HIV tests, and more information about the CEMPA Community Care mission.
International Teatime – Black History Month
Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024
When: 3:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall, 1st Floor
Sponsor: UTC Center for Global Education and Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: The Center for Global Education hosts International Teatime. Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to enjoy different types of tea while learning about different cultures and Black History at UTC.
Fresh Fridays – Art & Soul
Date: Friday, February 9, 2024
When: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall 119 - Multicultural Center
Sponsors: UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: The Office of Multicultural Affairs will host Fresh Friday networking events. On two Fridays in February, the office will explore UTC, local and historical highlights from the various decades, through an artistic lens of music.
Hired Like Me - Event Cancelled
Date: Monday, February 12, 2024
When: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall Suite 119 - Multicultural Center
Mocsync Event Link - Event Cancelled
Sponsors: Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: The Multicultural Center will host a meet and greet with local UTC alumni who are professionals in the local Chattanooga area. These sessions allow students an opportunity to understand the career journey of those who were once navigating UTC as students. Refreshments will be available.
Of Ebony Embers: Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance
Date: Friday, February 16, 2024
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: UTC Fine Arts Center - Hayes Concert Hall
Event Link (Purchase Tickets)
Sponsor: UTC Fine Arts Center
Description: A chamber music theater work for actor and trip) Cello, piano, and percussion) celebrating the lives of great African American poets Langston Hughes, Contee Cullen, and Claude McKay as seen through the eyes of the great muralist and painter Aaron Douglas. The script was written by Akin Babatunde, and the show is also directed by Mr. Babatunde. The Core Ensemble https://www.coreensemble.org/
Black History Month Artful Yoga
Date: Sunday, February 18, 2024
When: 1:30p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Where: Hunter Museum of American Art
Sponsors: Hunter Museum of American Art
Description: Monthly event series, although this month's will be focused specifically on a work by an African American artist.
Showtime at UTC – Open Mic & Trivia Night
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
When: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall 1st floor
Sponsors: UTC Black Faculty and Staff Association, Office of Student and Family Engagement, and UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Description: Second annual night of karaoke, trivia, games, and more, in the spirit of the Apollo Theater of Harlem. A space where creativity and talent coexist.
Storytelling Through Cinema: The Science and Representation of Henrietta Lacks
Date: Wednesday, February 21, 2024
When: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Derthick Hall Room 201
Sponsor: Biology, Geology and Environmental Science (BGE) Department Access and Engagement Committee and UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: In an effort to showcase representation of Black Americans in film adaptations of historical events, Storytelling through Cinema will provide a screening of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (directed by George C. Wolfe and starring Renée Elise Goldsberry) and a discussion of the scientific and ethical concerns raised by the story. We will provide an introduction to the film, bridging the story from the book to adaptation, offer refreshments, and facilitate a discussion afterwards to address themes raised in the film. Supplementary programming might include a book discussion with staff, faculty, and students.
3rd Annual UTC Taste of Black Chattanooga
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
When: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Where: University Center- Tennessee Room
Sponsor: Office of Student Success Programs
Description: 3rd Annual UTC Taste of Black Chattanooga- with signature cuisine from local Chattanooga area vendors.
2023 UTC Taste of Black Chattanooga Awardee
- TRowe Creative Kitchen
Global Spotlight featuring Kenya
Date: February 22, 2024
When: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall 1st Floor
Sponsor: UTC Center for Global Education & Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: The Center for Global Education enthralled with learning more about Kenya. Join us and guest speakers to learn more about this country on February 27, 2023. from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. in Lupton Hall, 1st Floor Lobby.
Vision + Verse
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2024
When: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Hunter Museum of American Art
Sponsors: Hunter Museum of American Art
Description: Vision + Verse featuring local Black creatives responding to art works in our special exhibit (currently includes poet Erika Roberts and a few of the dancers from Pop Up).
DEBATE: Baldwin vs. Buckley
Dates and locations:
Thursday, February 22, 2024 (Guerry Center Reading Room)
Friday, February 23, 2024 (Roth Reading Room, 4th Floor, UTC Library, corner of Douglas & Vine)
Saturday, February 24, 2024 (UTC Fine Arts Center, Hayes Concert Hall)
When: 7:30 p.m., nightly
Event Link (Purchase Tickets)
Sponsor: UTC Fine Arts Center
Description: Following critically acclaimed runs in New York City and London, the American vicarious’ radically staged production of the historic debate between James Baldwin and William F. Buckley Jr. is reenacted over three nights on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s campus. The debate explored the topic “Is the American Dream at the expense of the American Negro?”. Stagings of the performance will occur on successive nights, Thursday through Saturday, February 22 through 24, 2024 at three very different locations on the UTC campus, each lending its own ambiance as part of the backdrop. the American vicarious https://www.theamericanvicarious.org/projects/Debate-Baldwin-vs-Buckley.html
Fresh Fridays – Art & Mind
Date: Friday, February 23, 2024
When: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall Suite 119 - Multicultural Center
Sponsors: Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: The Office of Multicultural Affairs will host Fresh Friday networking events. On two Fridays in February, the office will explore UTC, local and historical highlights from the various decades, through an artistic lens of mindfulness.
Hired Like Me with Keelah Harris "The Mastercreative"
Date: Monday, February 26, 2024
When: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall Suite 119 - Multicultural Center
Sponsors: Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: The Office of Multicultural Affairs will host a discussion with UTC alumna, Keelah Jackson, also known as "The Mastercreative". Keelah is an award-winning writer, educator, singer/songwriter, mixed-media artist, model, actress, voice-over talent and motivational speaker based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has been a mixed-media artist since childhood and uses all of her gifts to make the world a better place. Connect with Keelah on www.keelahjackson.com, via LinkedIn and Instagram (@mastercreativekj). Refreshments will be available.
What is the Color of Black History?
Date: Monday, February 26, 2024
When: 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: University Center Tennessee Room
Sponsors: Professor Vincent Phipps, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) and UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: Engage in fun, nonjudgmental, conversations and interactive activities that are open to everyone about the value and significance of Black History.
The Mane Attraction
Date: Thursday, Feb 29, 2024
When: 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall 118
Sponsor: Center of Women and Gender Equity, and UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: Discussion with a local Chattanooga hair stylist about protective hair styling, debunking protective styling myths, and other misinformation around hair textures.
Multicultural Center (MCC) 15th Anniversary Celebration
Date: Thursday, February 29, 2024
When: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where: Lupton Hall 120
Sponsor: UTC Office of Multicultural Affairs
Description: Join the Office of Multicultural Affairs staff as they host the celebration event for the 15th anniversary of the Multicultural Center at UTC.