Black History Month
Our History is Your History
Black History Month is celebrated annually in the United States from February 1 to February 28. Black History Month was originally conceived as a week by historian, Carter G. Woodson, in 1926 and officially designated as a month in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. Black History Month is a time to recognize, celebrate, and honor the contributions, achievements, and legacy of African/Black people in the US.
Equally important, this is a time to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of African/Black people. Other countries around the world, including Ireland, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United Kingdom, participate in annual observances of Black History. While Black History Month is celebrated in the month of February, Black History is an ongoing development advanced throughout the African diaspora every day.
Among the notable figures often spotlighted during Black History Month are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Mae Jemison, Barack Obama, Lorraine Hansberry, Claudia Jones, C.L.R. James, Kwame Ture, Assata Shakur, Paul Robeson, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, Amiri Baraka, and many others who have made their mark on Black History.
The Dunbar Heritage Association
Join the Dunbar Heritage Association in celebrating the 22nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Walk and Celebration
Saturday, February 3, 2024 - MLK Wreath-Laying Ceremony, Walk & Celebration
9:00 AM | Wreath-laying Ceremony at LBJ/MLK Crossroads Memorial
Immediately after the ceremony, there will be a silent walk through the Historic Dunbar neighborhood to the Hays County Historic Courthouse located at 111 E San Antonio St, San Marcos, TX 78666, followed by a Community Celebration on the Courthouse grounds.
For more information, contact dhasmtx@gmail.com or 737-999-0403. For ways to get involved, please visit the Dunbar Heritage Association's event website.
Featured Events and Programs
Black History Month Soul Food Dinner
Monday, February 5, 2024
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
LBJ Student Center Grand Ballroom
Free and open to all to attend
Black History Month Market
Thursday, February 29, 2024
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
LBJ Student Center Mall and Plaza
Free and open to all to attend
Community Hosted Events
- Location:
- LBJ Student Center; LBJSC 3-21.3
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Rayvin Biggers 832-760-3129
- Campus Sponsor:
- Black Women United
- Location:
- University Events Center; University Event Center Lawn
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Deion Robbins
bps54@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Student Involvement and Engagement & Texas State Athletics
- Location:
- University Events Center; Strahan Arena
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Arrion Ellis, arrion.ellis@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Texas State Athletics
- Location:
- Texas State University; Strahan Arena
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- President: micheledickey@txstate.edu
Number: (832) 791-0967
Event Coordinator : akw88@txstate.edu
Number: (253) 227-3193 - Campus Sponsor:
- Dionne Davis ( Class, Leadership,Adult education and School psychology
- Location:
- LBJ Student Center Grand Ballroom
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Evan Bookman ekb44@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Student Involvement and Engagement
- Location:
- Flowers Hall; 230
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr.Goldstone
dwonnagoldstone@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- African American Studies Program
professional journey as a black musician Click here for more information
- Location:
- McCoy Hall; TBD
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Terrance McClain
mccoysuccess@txstate.edu
512.245.7010 - Campus Sponsor:
- McCoy College of Business Student Success Center, NABA, and the Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce
Resume Review | 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM | McCoy Hall
Salary Negotiating | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | McCoy Hall Click here for more information
- Location:
- LBJ Student Center; George's
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Evan Bookman, ekb44@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Black Student Alliance
- Location:
- LBJ Student Center; LBJ Student Center 2nd Floor (Hub), and 3-6.1 and 3-7.1
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- 512.245.3451, ods@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- Office of Disability Services
- Location:
- Family and Consumer Sciences
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr.Goldstone
dwonnagoldstone@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- African American Studies Program
- Location:
- Education Building; 4007
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Goldstone
dwonnagoldstone@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- African American Studies Department of History College of Education
- Location:
- Education Building; Room 4007
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Dwonna Goldstone, dwonnagoldstone@txstate.edu
- Campus Sponsor:
- African American Studies, Department of History, and College of Education
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Name: Frankie
Email: Blackpridetx@gmail.com - Campus Sponsor:
- African American Studies
- Location:
- Performing Arts Center; Patti Strickle Harrison Recital Hall
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Aaron Brown
Aaronbrown@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- Texas State School of Theatre & Dance (Musical Theatre Program)
- Location:
- LBJ Ballroom; LBJ Ballroom
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Dr. Maneka Brooks
512-245-2150 - Campus Sponsor:
- College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
We will have food, drinks, and extra reading material. All are welcome! Click here for more information
- Location:
- LBJ Student Center Mall
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Evan Bookman ekb44@txstate.edu
Coordinator for Community Engagement
Student Involvement - Campus Sponsor:
- Student Involvement and Engagement
An exploration of Black history at Texas State
February 4, 1963
Standing left to right are Georgia Faye Hoodye and Mabeleen Washington Wozniak, while seated are Dana Jean Smith and Gloria Odoms. Along with Helen Jackson (not pictured), these five women made history as the first Black students to enroll at Southwest Texas State University.
Courtesy of Texas State University
The University Star presents “The 11% Project”, an examination of Black students at Texas State through History, Election, Hometowns, Activism, Creatives, Mentorship and 10 years from now.
The ‘60s started it all. From the first five Black women integrating in 1963, through Johnny E. Brown becoming the first Black student-athlete, to the formation of UMOJA (meaning unity in Swahili), the first Black organization on campus, the decade was a time when Black students laid the groundwork."
About Shirley R. Harris
Shirley Ruth Harris graduated from Edwards High School in Gonzales in 1961, was one of six children, and the first in her family to get a college degree. Her father A.T. Harris was a minister at Wesley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Marcos, Texas.
Harris was the first Black graduate of Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State University) on May 26, 1967 and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She originally enrolled at San Antonio College and transferred to Southwest Texas State College in 1965. Two years prior to her enrollment at Southwest Texas State College, a federal judge ordered the end of the university’s whites-only policy in response to a class-action lawsuit initiated by Dana Jean Smith, an 18-year-old Black student from Austin, Texas. On February 4, 1963, five women (Dana Jean Smith, Helen Jackson [Franks], Georgia Faye Hoodye [Cheatham], Gloria Odoms [Powell], and Mabeleen Washington) enrolled.
After graduation, Harris worked as an elementary school teacher in the South San Antonio Independent School District for one year. She then taught at San Antonio ISD’s Briscoe Elementary School for 42 years and retired in 2011. Harris passed away in 2018 at the age of 73.
Harris’ legacy is highlighted by her focus as an “all-business person,” dedication to completing her degree, and fearless pursuit of racial equality in education.
Stay Connected
Black Student Organizations (BSOs) at Texas State University
Visit the Black Presidents' Council (BPC) website to learn more about the functions of the executive committee, and get connected with the more than two dozen Black Student Organizations (BSOs) on campus.
Universities Libraries
Scholarship Opportunities
Cecil and Sandra Mayo Scholarship
Scholarship is awarded by Center for Diversity and Gender Studies with the generous support of Cecil and Sandra Mayo.
Earl Moseley Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship is awarded by the Coalition of Black Faculty & Staff and with the support of Texas State Black Alumni Network.
Black History in San Marcos
The Calaboose Museum serves as a home for African American history and culture in San Marcos and Hays County. Through preservation, events, and education, the museum strives to serve as not only an African American history museum but a center of support for the San Marcos community.
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More Information
Website:
https://www.calaboosemuseum.org/
Location:
200 W. Martin Luther King Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Hours:
Saturday 10 am to 3 pm
(and by appointment)
Contact:
512.393.8421
info@calaboosemuseum.org
The Cephas House
The Cephas House is located in the Dunbar neighborhood, the birthplace of jazz and swing and the neighborhood to San Marcos’ first African American residents. The house is named after Ulysses S. Cephas was a blacksmith and community leader at the turn of the 20th Century.
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More Information
Website:
https://sanmarcostx.gov/facilities/facility/details/eddiedurhampark-61
Location:
213 W. Martin Luther King Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Formerly Dunbar School, a public school for Black children since 1847 and moving to this location in 1918, and named after Paul Laurence Dunbar. The Dunbar Recreation Center and Park provide space for events and recreation including cultural preservation events held by The Dunbar Heritage Association.
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More Information
Website:
https://www.sanmarcostx.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Dunbar-Recreation-Center-21Location:
801 W. MLK Drive
San Marcos, Texas 78666Hours:
Recreation Center Hours Vary - Contact City of San Marcos
Park Hours - 6:00 AM to 11:00 PMContact:
512-393-8400Dunbar Heritage Association
Website | PO Box 1848, San Marcos, TX 78667
737-999-0403 | dhasmtx@gmail.com
28 Days of Black History
Learn Black history in 5 minutes a day. Subscribe for a free, daily email series to celebrate Black History Month this February.
Resource courtesy of: Reclamation Ventures.