February is Black History Month, and Western Kentucky University’s Intercultural Student Engagement Center has planned multiple events throughout the month to celebrate.  

The month’s theme is Black Resistance, as set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.  

On Feb. 2 at 7 p.m., there will be a Black History Month Night at Hilltopper Basketball. The event will honor the past by recognizing some of WKU’s first African American athletes and include several performances. Students get into the game free with a WKU ID but can purchase discounted bleacher seats using the promo code “BLACKHISTORY” at checkout.  

An Epic Rap Battle of Black History with Bert and Det will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at DSU Nite Class. Bert and Det will produce three rounds of emcee battles, which will highlight contrasting views of famous African American men and women.  

Beginning on Feb. 7 and continuing to Feb. 28 the “Melanin” Illustrative Gallery will be viewable at the art gallery in DSU 2041.  

On Feb. 8 at the FAC Recital Hall there will be a Black Excellence Showcase. It is student-created and will feature student-run performances. The showcase annually provides a stage for Black voices by members of the WKU Forensics Team and others from the university and the surrounding community.  

The What Happened to Jonesville? exhibit will be on DSU’s first floor on Feb. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.. This exhibit explores the lives and stories of those who were displaced from the vibrant African American community that lived at Jonesville from around 1881 to the 1960s.  

On Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. in DSU Auditorium, there will be a performance called The Black Experience. The Black Experience will go through a timeline of Black Americans and the generational plight of Black people in America utilizing spoken word, poetry, singing, dancing and more.  

For more information on any of these events, the Intercultural Student Engagement Center can be reached at (270) 745-5066.

Content editor B Turner can be reached at [email protected].