The University of Toledo will celebrate the heritage and history of African Americans with a series of events and activities for students, faculty and staff throughout Black History Month.

Events include spaces for conversations with local beauty salon and barber shop owners as well as the 53rd Annual Black Student Union Fashion Show, a showcase of Black fashion from Black-owned vendors with proceeds going toward UToledo scholarships for Black students.

“We are excited to celebrate Black History Month this year. We have worked hard to compile a list of events that exemplify the spirit of celebrating the history of Black people as well as help to understand that Black history is not just a month,” said Kyndra Gaines, multicultural program manager in the Office of Multicultural Student Success (OMSS). “Throughout the year Black history is being made, celebrated and needs to be appreciated.”

The celebration begins with the annual Black History Month Kick-Off Event, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Success and the Black Student Union, from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room.

“This year, we wanted to ensure student voices were being heard about how they wanted to celebrate Black History Month,” Gaines said. “We have partnered with minority business owners from the community like Crysstyles Salon and J’Maes Home Cooking. Our office also is collaborating with campus partners like TRIO, the Eberly Center for Women, the Center for Racial Equity and Black Student Excellence, and the Black Student Union (BSU), which we have worked hard with in creating great programs that tie in the Toledo community and The University of Toledo.”

Black History Month events include:

Monday, Feb. 6

• Beauty Shop Talk, with OMSS and Crysstyles Hair Salon, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Thompson Student Union Ingman Room, featuring space to discuss hot topics related to women of color and conversations about how to take care of your hair, start your own business and take care of yourself.
• Barber Shop Talk with OMSS, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium, featuring free food, health screenings and haircuts.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

• Talented Aspiring Women Leaders (TAWL) Mentoring Meet and Greet, from 5 to 6 p.m. in the OMSS office, Thompson Student Union Room 2500.

Saturday, Feb. 11

• 53rd Annual Black Student Union Fashion Show, 6:30 p.m. in the Thompson Student Union Auditorium.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

• Community Service: Make blankets for Family House, a homeless shelter, hosted by OMSS, Family House, BSU and National Pan-Hellenic Council, all day in the OMSS office, Thompson Student Union Room 2500.

Thursday, Feb. 16

• Poetry Night, with OMSS and TRIO, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Thompson Student Union Room 2584, featuring set performers and an open mic session in celebration of the history of the Black diaspora.

Saturday, Feb. 18

• Meet the Author: Raineasha Williams-Fox, a Black writer from Detroit who is the author of the children’s book “Radiant Black Girl,” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Eberly Center for Women.

Monday, Feb. 20

• African American Professional Panel, with OMSS, TRIO and Career Services and hosted by Gaines, from 6 to 8 p.m. via Webex.

For more information, including a full list of events and online resources, visit the Office of Multicultural Student Success website.