Black History Month programming brings people from all around the Bayou Region to campus. Dr. Melinda Jefferson, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice in the Department of Social Sciences, chairs the Black History Month Committee. The committee is made up of faculty and staff from various departments and student organizations on the Nicholls campus. Each year, the committee hosts events that are educational, cultural, and fun for the student body, the faculty and staff, and community members.

Black History Month 2024 will start a series of events to honor not only African American history across our nation but also the important African American history on our campus and within the local area. Lectures, panel discussions, musicals, plays, themed meals, open mic nights, and other activities are all part of the festivities. The planned events promote unity, diversity, and equality on campus and within the local community.

The 2024 National Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts." African, Caribbean, and Black American living experiences are incorporated into African American art. The African American influence has been significant in the visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, cinema, music, architecture, culinary arts, and other forms of cultural expression. African American artists have utilized art to preserve history and shared memory, as well as for empowerment. People of African origin have pioneered artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, which have set the bar for popular trends worldwide. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.

Schedule of Events

January 26-28, 2024

"Memphis" The Musical

Inspired by actual events, MEMPHIS is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. Come along on their incredible journey to the ends of the airwaves– filled with laughter, soaring emotion and roof-raising rock'n'roll.

For tickets, contact 985.448.4600

Time: 7 p.m. on January 26th, 6 p.m. on January 27th and 3 p.m. on January 28th

Location: Danos Theater

February 1, 2024

6 p.m.: Negro Spiritual Master Class

Participate in our master class as we explore the authentic performance techniques used when singing the Negro Spiritual. The master class is open to collegiate and high school students. Not a singer? Don't worry; feel free to participate and learn more about the Negro Spiritual with Professor Richard Hobson from Southern University in Baton Rouge, master class clinician. amazing dishes.

Location: Danos Theater

February 2, 2024

11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: The Essence of Black Celebration (EOBC)

Second Essence of Black Celebration as a part of Nicholls's Yearly Black History Month events. This historical event will continue to focus on cultivating the dynamics of diversity and celebrating and acknowledging the historical impact of Black Americans on visual arts, music, cultural movements, and more.

This event will be open to Nicholls campus, surrounding communities, and other Southern Louisiana colleges. Hosted by The University Counseling Center.
Location: Center of campus (behind student union, library/Talbot & Gouaux Hall)

7:30p: The 14th Annual Celebration of the Negro Spiritual Concert Series Performance

Nicholls Department of Music will host their 14th Annual Festival of the Negro Spiritual Concert Series featuring historical songs once sung by slaves and plantation workers. The music event will feature distinguished guest artists, faculty, and students from universities across several states as well as community members. Hosted by the Music Department.

Location: Danos Theater

All Day: The Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

National Wear Red Day

Location: Nicholls campus

February 5, 2024

11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Nursing is a Work of HeART

Participants will be asked to reflect on their nursing experience or educational journey. They can illustrate this by writing a poem, choosing a passage from a book, singing a song, playing an instrument, drawing a painting, or sharing a story that expresses their distinctive contribution to the art of nursing. The event will embrace Nicholls nursing students, faculty, and nurses from the community. The participants will share their experiences with the art of nursing, the many challenges they experience on their educational, or health-care journey concerning patients, families, communities, and institutions, and their passion for nursing. Refreshments will be served. Hosted by The Department of Nursing.

Location: BCAH Auditorium- room 123

February 7, 2024

5:00 p.m.: Celebrating African American Voices: A Creative Writing Club Event

The Creative Writing Club is hosting a virtual reading to celebrate African-American Voices.

Location: Suite 3 in the Student Union

4:00-5:00 p.m.: Black Voices Poetry Night: Poetry readings featuring Black Poets

Bring a poem from a Black voice or share your own work. Open to anyone and everyone who believes in the power of storytelling. Hosted by the Gamma Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota.

Location: LeBijou Theatre

10:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m.: African American Themed Cuisine

Come taste Nicholls State Culinary Students signature dishes every Wednesday in February. The price for guests is $10.50 + tax. You don't want to miss these amazing dishes.

Location: Galliano Dining Hall

February 15, 2024

6:00-9:00 p.m.: SPA Casino Night

Hosted by SPA.

February 16, 2024

6:30-9:00 p.m.: Lovers and Phriends R&B Party

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc presents Lovers and Phriends R&B party. Sounds by DJ CO. Good Vibes and Door Prizes.

Location: Century Room in the stadium

February 19, 2024

5:00-7:00 p.m.: The Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Game Night

Please join Xi Theta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. for an awesome game night event. This event is open to all students. Celebrate the achievements of Black culture.

Location: Harold J. Memorial Callais Memorial Recreation Center

February 20, 2024

6:00 p.m.: "Barring None: Nicholls Student Activism Against Racial Discrimination in 1970s Thibodaux"

In the early 1970s, certain popular night clubs for students in the city of Thibodaux maintained a whites-only policy. Leaders of the Nicholls SGA and their colleagues fought to overturn these repressive policies through meetings with owners and city government but to no avail. After meeting with the American Civil Liberties Union and the U.S. Department of Justice in New Orleans, student leaders tested, observed, and recorded as legal evidence denials of service to black students at a series of city night clubs. By early summer 1971, the Department of Justice filed suit against four Thibodaux lounges for violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Soon thereafter racial barriers fell, and student advocates for racial desegregation prevailed. Panel with Ken Wells (Pulitzer Prize winner), Dr. Mike Marcello, Dr. Tom Soniat, & Dr. Cleveland Hill. Hosted by the College of Sciences and Technology.

Location: Mary and Al Danos Theater

2:00-4:00 p.m.: The Art of Storytelling: Black Professionals Share About the Power of Narrative

According to the late Virginia Hamilton, the author of The People Could Fly—a revered children's book of African American storytelling—said that storytelling was the first opportunity for black folks to represent themselves as anything other than property. This event offers Black professionals an opportunity to share their own stories about their experiences along their paths of becoming. We hope the event will inform, uplift and engage the audience through intergenerational communication producing a mosaic of inspiration, determination and insight. Hosted by the MACO Department.

Location: Danos Theater

February 21, 2024

10:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m.: African American Themed Cuisine

Come taste Nicholls State Culinary Students signature dishes every Wednesday in February. The price for guests is $10.50 + tax. You don't want to miss these amazing dishes.

Location: Galliano Dining Hall

5:30-7:30 p.m.: Financial Aid Night

The presentation will cover the basics of financial aid, the application process, and the new debt forgiveness program. Hosted by the Office of Financial Aid.

Location: Peltier Auditorium

3:00-4:30 p.m.: Allied Health Professionals Panel
Location: LeBijou Theatre

5:00-8:00 p.m.: Black Mental Health: Healing Through the Arts Panel & Discussion

A panel discussion forum. The focus of this event is to educate and engage the Nicholls Community on mental health and wellness as well as to enhance mental health awareness not only amongst all students and faculty/staff but particularly our African American/black students. Hosted by The University Counseling Center.

Location: Dano Theater

February 22, 2024

10:00 a.m.-noon: The Art of Graduate School

Panel discussion regarding the different processes of graduate school and what students need to know when applying to graduate school. Hosted by the Offices of University Graduate Studies, Career Services, Admissions, and Financial Aid.

Location: LeBijou Theater

6:00 p.m.: Invitation to the Cookout

2:00-4:00 p.m.: CROWN presents "Wassup, Bruh. You Got Anybody Right Now? A Brief History and Conversation with Black Male Barbers

Clippers buzz in the background of voices, talking and laughing as mirrors reflect smiles, aftershave bottles, artwork, and a television. Men of various shades of brown await their invitation to sit in the elevated seat for a haircut. "You next," says the Barber. The barbershop, like the church, has long stood as a sacred space for people to gather, converse, and engage in activism, discourse, and grassroots organization. Black barber shops are self-contained worlds with their own culture, laws, and customs. Black Barbershops are the culmination of craft, etiquette, and tradition that has evolved over 160 years to produce the heritage we reflect on. Hosted by Colonels Retention of Winners Network (CROWN).

Location: Danos Theater

February 26, 2024

6:00-8:00 p.m.: SPA BHM Movie Night

Come out and watch The Movie "Harriet" in celebration of black history month Snacks and Refreshments will be provided. Collaboration with the Nicholls Film Society

Location: LeBijou Theater

February 27, 2024

6:00-9:00 p.m.: 2nd Annual Black Excellence

A night of fun for students to come together and freely enjoy themselves while closing out Black History Month. Hosted by NAACP and SPA.

Location: Student Tailgate Section /Ellender Street Front

February 28, 2024

10:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m.: African American Themed Cuisine

Come taste Nicholls State Culinary Students signature dishes every Wednesday in February. The price for guests is $10.50 + tax. You don't want to miss these amazing dishes.

Location: Galliano Dining Hall

6:00-8:00 p.m.: Omega Psi Phi: Excellence Ball

Get Dressed Up, and come out and enjoy yourself, Come Enjoy Live Music by local Black ARTists.

Location: Cotillion Ballroom

February 29, 2024

The Art of Sisterhood to Sustain our Collective Mental Health

12:00-1:30 pm: Part I: The Women's History Month Luncheon

3:00 pm - Part II: Women's Business Owners Panel Discussion
Come listen to local business entrepreneurs explain the stages to creating a successful business, the roadmap for starting a new business, and how to preserve your mental health.

4:00 pm: Part III: Student's Pop-Up Shop Mixer
Come see some innovative and extraordinary products generated by Nicholls entrepreneurs.

Hosted by the Black History Month Committee & the Women History Month Committee

4:30-5:30 p.m.: "The Art and Science of Diversity: The Human Pangenome."

The Human PanGenome is an important achievement beyond the Human Genome because it includes DNA information from a broad diversity of human ethnicities and origins, enabling scientists to discover, among other things, potential disease variations in underrepresented groups. Hosted by the College of Sciences and Technology.

Location: 104 Kilgen Hall

Date: January 26-February 29, 2024

Locations:
Harold J. Callais Student Recreation Center, 147 Bowie Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301
Nicholls State University, 906 East First Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301

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