by Shannon Kelly ’26 on February 26, 2026
News
The month of February celebrates Black History Month, which recognizes the lived realities, progress, and resilience of African Americans. Its history dates back to 1926, when Carter G. Woodson, often referred to as the “Father of Black History,” recognized the need for celebration. Woodson sought to create overlap between the month and the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. More generally, Woodson hoped to respond to the neglect of educating the youth on Black history that U.S. history books often precluded. Former President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized February as Black History Month in 1976, stating, “we can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
There have been many efforts on our own campus to honor Black History Month at Providence College. In a video released by the College, Gloria Purvis, Special Advisor for Integral Human Development and Dignity, spoke about the background and significance of observing Black History Month. The College also released a video of Father Justin Brophy, O.P., Senior Vice President of Mission and Ministry, speaking about the pilots of the Tuskegee Airmen in a video honoring BHM. Institutional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has also spearheaded events to highlight marginalized voices on campus, including More Than Just Words, Soul and Success, and Finance, Golf, Culture in Moore Hall.
Recently, the Dialogue, Inclusion, and Democracy (D.I.D) Lab Fellows put up a few questions on their walls across campus pertaining to celebrating heritage months and the efforts that are currently being made in society. In an attempt to honor the life of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., a prompt from last month included, “I have a dream that one day…” Some of the responses included “that everyone will treat each other with love and respect despite any differences,” “there will be world peace,” and “we will treat and see each other first as human beings.” A second wall included the question, “Why is it important to acknowledge and celebrate heritage months?” Responses from students include, “We have rich diversity that brings power to us as a collective when we celebrate our differences,” “Together, we are America,” and “It is important to celebrate who you are!” Our most recent question consists of, “Do you think our federal administration adequately acknowledges different heritages and cultures? And how?” Some responses include, “They are actively making efforts to erase America’s diversity by targeting marginalized groups,” “Diversity is what makes this country great,” and, “How can you adequately acknowledge cultural diversity while actively pushing out and silencing other cultures?”
Here at PC, the Black studies program was formed in 1995 in response to student desires. Black studies transitioned from being a program to an academic department just recently in 2023. The students who helped form the department believed that “the unique perspective of the Black studies program, that of those most oppressed by racism in American society, [would] be of great educational value to Black and white students alike. We need this view to appreciate the contributions—cultural, historical, political, and social—of Africans and African-Americans which have been hidden by a nearly total emphasis on Europeans and their descendants.”
Black studies is co-sponsoring a talk with the History and Classics Department titled “Of Civil Wrongs and Rights: The Fred Korematsu Story” on Wednesday, March 4, at 4:00 p.m. in the Ruane Center for the Humanities, room LL05. The department is also bringing back The Heritage Journal, which has a theme of Black joy and Black resistance for the spring semester. This is open to students and faculty alike. Submissions are due by Friday, March 20. In terms of classes being offered, Black Studies 101, Black Feminisms 314, Dimensions of Contemporary Black Life 215, Black Diaspora in Providence 220, and AIDS, Race, and Gender in the Black Community 321 are all being taught this semester. Dr. Fall has also co-authored a volume titled “The Essential Senghor: African Philosophy and Black Aesthetics,” coming out in April.
Purvis stated, “It is important for us to recognize the long-ignored contributions and triumphs of the African American community in the United States. Knowing this essential part of American history is not only an act of justice but also part and parcel of being an educated person.” May this month serve as a reminder of the integrality of Black history to the understanding of our nation’s history.