Celebrate Black History Month with WSSU
February is dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of African Americans. As a historically Black institution, black history has a yearlong presence on Winston-Salem State University’s (WSSU) campus.
Check out how you can celebrate Black History Month with WSSU the month of February.
Trivia Night
Feb. 6 | 7 p.m.
Donald J. Reaves Student Activities Center, Room 100
C.G. O'Kelly Library staff will host a trivia game about Black History that will challenge participants' knowledge on the history of African American culture, historically black colleges and universities, and contributions made by African Americans. This event will have a total of 10 groups with four members on each team.
National Black Aids Awareness Day
Feb. 7 | All Day
This day is set aside for individuals and organizations across the nation to bring awareness to HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment and connection in African American communities. Throughout campus, ribbons will be handed out in recognition of this initiative.
Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Qualifying Tournament
Feb. 8 | 9:30 a.m.
Donald J. Reaves Student Activities Center, Room 100 and Cleon F. Thompson, Room 207
WSSU is hosting the National Qualifying Tournament on campus. The university has been participating in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge for 30 years. This challenge highlights academics, which is the mission of all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). HBCUs from around the country participate in this collaborative event to display pride and academic excellence. The event will feature WSSU’s HCASC Quiz Bowl team
From Black Studies to Black Study: Form and Function in the 21st Century
Feb. 10 | 5 p.m.
Cleon F. Thompson Student Services Center, Room 207A
Guest lecturer, Dr. Joshua Myers, professor of Africana Studies at Howard University, will engage the campus community with conversations around his recent book, “We are Worth Fighting for: A History of the Howard University Student Protest of 1989.” This lecture series is sponsored by the Office of International Programs and open to the public.
Paint n Sip
Feb. 11 | 6:30 p.m.
C.G. O’Kelly Staff Lounge
Enjoy Black History Month through art. Guided by two library staff members, each participant will work at individual stations to create a masterpiece that represents African Americans in different styles. Sparkling grape juice will be served as the refreshment. We ask that people RSVP using the following form: http://bit.ly/okpaint.
Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities
Feb. 18 | 7 p.m.
Donald J. Reaves Student Activities Center, Room 100
This documentary is the story of black colleges and universities by filmmaker Stanley Nelson and Marco Williams. This movie follows the rise, influence and evolution of Historically Black Colleges and Universities – a history that began before the end of slavery. After the movie, there will be a discussion about the film.
Heart and Soul: Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Winston-Salem Sit-In
Feb. 20
5 p.m. | Painting | Cleon F. Thompson Center
6:45 p.m. | International Food Tasting | Donald J. Reaves Center
7:30 p.m. | Poetry Open Mic | DJR
On Feb. 23, 1960, students from Winston-Salem State Teachers College, now WSSU, protested lunch counter segregation at Woolworth’s in downtown Winston-Salem. Twenty-one students were arrested that day, including students from Wake Forest University who supported the protest. This demonstration contributed to the desegregation of the Winston-Salem lunch counters and restaurants on May 23 of that year.
Culture Film: Let the Fire Burn
Feb. 20 | 7 p.m.
C.G. O’Kelly Library, Room 127
"Let the Fire Burn" is a 2013 documentary film about the events leading up to and surrounding a 1985 stand-off between the black liberation group MOVE and the Philadelphia Police Department. After the film, the audience will have an opportunity to discuss the film. Refreshments will be served.
The 2020 Living Museum: “A Walk-Through History: Women’s Fight to Vote”
Feb. 25 | 7 p.m.
Cleon F. Thompson Center, Room 207ABC
“A Walk-Through History: Women’s Fight to Vote” is a living museum event where students interact with historical figures, particularly North Carolina women. The goal of this event is to enlighten the campus community about the journey women have taken to gain the right to vote. Our campus recently regained polling place status after a long ten-year battle, and we hope through this event we can encourage students to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming election.
