University of Utah, Weber State, other organizations hosting Black History Month events

SALT LAKE CITY — The nation has recognized the contributions of Black Americans for 100 years, currently within the framework of Black History Month, and numerous events are in the works in Utah as the tradition continues.

"We invite our campus and community to engage Black history not as a static archive, but as an evolving force that shapes culture and possibility," reads a University of Utah introduction to the varied events at the university.

Weber State University in Ogden held a panel discussion earlier this week on the "history, tradition and self-expression" involving hair, with more activities through the end of February. Black History Week started in 1926 and has evolved into Black History Month, held in February each year.

"Community is essential right now," Maryan Shale, student engagement program manager for Weber State's Student Success Center, said in announcing the varied activities. "These events invite us to show up for one another. Our campus deserves to feel surrounded by love and openness, and this programming creates intentional spaces where campus and community can come together to learn, strengthen connections, and deepen understanding."

Utah's Black community is small, numbering around 73,000 as of 2023, 2.1% of the state's total population, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Nevertheless, there are a range of Black History Month events, some of them already in the books:

University of Utah: The U.'s Center for Community and Cultural Engagement and the Hinckley Institute of Politics will host a panel discussion focused on the 100th anniversary of the annual celebrations marking the contributions of the Black community, "Heritage, Hope and Horizon." It's to be held Feb. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Other activities, including a poetry workshop and a presentation on Blacks in ballet, have already been held.

Weber State University: The university is hosting a keynote presentation on Feb. 18 at noon at the Shepherd Union, room 320, by psychotherapist Sherra Watkins. Watkins will offer "practical insights for personal growth and collective well-being," according to the university.

Desange Keunihira, founder of unDEfeated, which provides educational opportunities for kids and women in need in Uganda, will provide a talk on Black generational wealth on Feb. 23 at noon at Weber State's Student Success Center, Suite 150.

"Dumbed Down": The Plan-B Theatre Company is marking Black History Month with a presentation of "Dumbed Down," a show by Darryl Stamp. Showings to the ticketed program go through March 1. The play, inspired by Stamp's 25-year career as an educator, focuses on the concerns of Kevin, a teacher, about his students as he mulls leaving the profession. Stamp has been a member of Plan-B Theatre's Theatre Artists of Color Writing Workshop.

Millcreek Common: The city of Millcreek will host a range of events during February at Millcreek Common.

Among other things, Shades of Community, an art exhibit showcasing Black artists across Utah, will be shown from Feb. 21-28 from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. each day. The artists will be on hand on Feb. 28 for a program at 6 p.m., when a poetry reading will also be held.

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