Kenyon will mark Black History Month this year with a mix of performances, lectures, exhibitions and other events taking place across campus and open to all members of the community.
Opportunities to learn about Black history and important contemporary issues include a lecture by Hasan Jeffries, College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Associate Professor of History from The Ohio State University, who will speak Tuesday, Feb. 17 on the topic “History in the Crosshairs: Educators, the Public Square, and the Fight for the American Past.”
Drawing on the Black freedom struggle and the lived work of educators, Jeffries argues that teaching history accurately and effectively is a democratic necessity. He will examine efforts to influence how the American past is taught and understood in educational settings from classrooms and libraries to historic sites and museums.
The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Oden Hall’s Archon Auditorium. It is sponsored by the Center for the Study of American Democracy and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
A follow-up panel discussion will take place during Common Hour on Thursday, Feb. 19, in Peirce Lounge. It will feature Sylvie Coulibaly, associate professor of history; Jené Schoenfeld, associate professor of English; and Anna Scanlon, director of the Writing Center. The discussion is being organized by Chau Vu ’26, ODEI student intern; Hung Nguyen ’26, CSAD student associate, and ODEI.
A special display in Chalmers Library’s Bulmash Exhibition Hall calls attention to “Black History in Knox County.” Curated by Scanlon, the exhibit explores the influence of Black leaders both in Knox County and at Kenyon over the years.
“For us in the Writing Center, it’s important to think about the ways in which we want to encourage writers, help them grow their knowledge, and celebrate those who have come before. To that end, exhibits like this one on Black History in Knox County allow us to show our community we’re dedicated to furthering these goals while also creating something interesting that will hopefully spark conversation,” Scanlon said of the exhibit, which will be on display through March.
The Writing Center also is leading a campus observance of Douglass Day on Saturday, Feb. 14 — the date chosen by abolitionist and former enslaved man Frederick Douglass as his birthday. Activities will include transcribing materials from his contemporaries for the National Archives.
Student-led events round out the campus celebration, starting with a Black Student Union screening of the satirical horror-comedy “The Blackening” on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m. in The Gund’s Community Foundation Theatre.
Athletes will highlight Black History Month on Wednesday, Feb. 11 during a basketball doubleheader. Special shirts will be worn by Kenyon’s players and coaches when the women’s team plays Ohio Wesleyan University at 6 p.m., followed by men’s basketball against Wittenberg University at 8 p.m. The shirts — designed by Aura Barinas ’26 — also will be available to the first fans who arrive at the event, a collaboration between Minority Athletes at Kenyon (MAK) and BSU.
“These events are important because they draw attention to the month and show Kenyon’s continued support for Black students and DEI efforts despite recent pushes against DEI,” said Anissa Hardy ’26, president and founder of MAK and vice president of BSU. “Additionally, I think it is important that Kenyon’s celebration continues across all areas of the College, including athletics, to increase visibility and recognition of Black people in those spaces.”
There will be a couple of artistic performances sprinkled throughout the month as well. These include a concert by the Philadelphia band Cadre Noir at the Horn Gallery on Friday, Feb. 20. That event begins at 7 p.m.
Students will wrap up the month with a BSU-sponsored Black history trivia event at Weaver Cottage at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25.