Celebrating Black History Month

February 2, 2024

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

I hope the first few days of the spring semester have been good to you. This is a time where anticipation and preparation have given way to busy schedules and the reaffirming feeling that our community has gathered together again.

February is Black History Month, which provides all members of The Wolf Pack Family an opportunity to celebrate the heritage, achievements and cultural contributions of Black communities here on our campus and beyond. We are especially proud of the accomplishments and contributions that Black students, faculty, staff and alumni make each and every day in furthering our University’s mission.

I wish to encourage you in recognizing and celebrating the many achievements of Black communities through Black History Month events that will be held in the coming days on campus. You can find out more about the events that are listed below, including times and locations, by regularly checking the website for the University’s Multicultural Center.

• JCSU Movie Series at 7 p.m. on Feb. 6: “The Blackkklansman”: The Multicultural Center, in collaboration with the Joe Crowley Student Union (JCSU) will showcase the film “The Blackkklansman,” filmed by legendary director Spike Lee, with the showing in the Joe Crowley Theater.
• Black Men’s Collective meeting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7: Brother’s Keeper is a Black Men’s Collective initiative that ultimately will provide a space for Black Male identifying students to have necessary conversations and build community, while receiving tangible connections and resources.
• Black Student Organization Black History Trivia at 7 p.m. on Feb. 8: Black History Trivia Night is an engaging and educational event that will celebrate the rich and diverse history of Black individuals and their contributions to society. Barbershop event from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Feb. 15: The Black Men’s Collective presents The Barbershop Series. This event celebrates the barbershop as a hub for community, conversation and cultural exchange. Attendees can expect live barbering demonstrations showcasing the artistry and skill of barbers, along with discussions on the cultural importance of the barbershop in Black communities.
• Black Student Organization Black Leadership Panel at 6 p.m. Feb. 15: The Black Leadership Panel, put on by the Black Student Organization, is a thought-provoking and insightful event that will bring together accomplished Black leaders from various fields throughout the institution and community to share their experiences, expertise and perspectives. This panel discussion will encourage open and engaging conversation on topics related to leadership, diversity, inclusion and the challenges and triumphs unique to the Black community.
• Nevada Women’s Basketball Game at 1 p.m. on Feb. 17: Men’s Basketball Game at 8 p.m. on Feb. 20: The Wolf Pack Women’s and Men’s basketball teams will honor Black History Month with a celebration during both their games recognizing and paying tribute to the contributions of Black individuals in the context of both sports and broader society.
• Black Student Organization Black Student Showcase/Talent Show at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21: The Black Student Talent Show is an electrifying and culturally vibrant event that will showcase the diverse talents and creativity of Black students within the University and community.
• Black Cultural Celebration Block Party from 1 – 4 p.m. on Feb. 24: With a theme of “Black Joy,” the Black Cultural Celebration is a dynamic event that will honor and commemorate the rich heritage, traditions and achievements of the Black community held in the Joe Crowley Ballrooms. This celebration will serve as a platform to showcase the diversity and resilience of Black culture, fostering a sense of pride and unity within the community.

Theodore Miller, a young man who traveled to Nevada from Kansas to continue his higher education in 1928, became the University’s first African American graduate in May 1930 when he received his degree in electrical engineering. Theodore was the only Black student on our campus at that time, and he went on to have a distinguished career in engineering that included becoming the Chief Electrical Engineer of the Ninth Region of the U.S. Government’s General Services Administration for two decades, among many other notable professional achievements. We celebrate Theodore Miller and all African Americans whose stories have become the American story during Black History Month.

Their stories remind us that work for equality and justice is ongoing and never-ending. And that this work belongs to each and every one of us.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President