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Black History 4 Seasons

Black History 4 Seasons

UMass Dartmouth's Black History 4 Seasons Council focuses on engaging students and the broader community in deeper conversations and ongoing dialogue about the Black experience. The Council collaborates with various colleges, departments, and community partners to host events that honor the contributions of Black Americans in literature, music, politics, social justice, theater, and visual arts.

Black History Month 2025

This year, 2025, marks the 49th annual observance of Black History Month in the United States. During the celebration of the United States Bicentennial in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” While February is designated as “Black History Month,” the contributions of Americans of African descent in the areas of literature, philosophy, law, science and medicine, politics, music, athletics, visual and performing arts, etc., continue to influence the evolution and development of our society all year long.

UMass Dartmouth’s Black History 4 Seasons Council, in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, the Frederick Douglass Unity House, and other University and community partners, have organized on-campus and community events to celebrate Black History Month. We invite all members of the UMass Dartmouth family and the public to join in the festivities as we celebrate Black History Month as a University community.

Black History 4 Seasons Events

Mar
0
9:00AM
Tribe Academy Business & STEM Externship
Mar
0
5:00PM
Dancing and Drumming with Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE)

On March 31, 2025, the Haitian folkloric and contemporary dance troupe Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE) will perform excerpts from Traka and JAE’s new creation, Pouvwa at the UMass Dartmouth Main Auditorium at 5pm. RSVP online

Pulsing with energy of live drumming and Afro-electronica, these works explore power dynamics, trauma, and healing. The performance will be followed by a Q&A session.

JAE is a Boston-based organization and dance company founded by Jean Appolon. JAE is dedicated to educating audiences about Haitian culture, traditions, history, and current issues. JAE’s repertoire seeks to preserve Haitian folkloric culture while also revitalizing the art form to make it accessible, healing, and educational to audiences.

This event is free and open to all. The show begins at 5pm (doors open at 4:30pm) in UMass Dartmouth’s Main Auditorium. The performance lasts approximately 50 minutes and will be followed by a Q&A session. Guests should park in Lots 5 and 6.

The performance is being sponsored by UMass Dartmouth’s Department of Global Languages & Cultures, Frederick Douglass Unity House and the College of Arts and Sciences Deans Office.

May
0
9:00AM
ALANA Graduation

The ALANA Graduation Kente Ceremony is a celebration of success for ALANA – African / African American / Black; Latino / Latina / Hispanic; Asian / Pacific Islander; Native American / Indigenous / First nation – students. This event culminates with the presentation of traditional Ghanaian Kente cloth graduation stoles. The Kente stole signifies students’ “rite of passage” and the commencing of their leadership in the world. Graduates will wear the Kente stoles at their respective university graduations, adding to the celebratory nature of University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Commencement celebrations. This is a proud moment for our students and their loved ones, and one of our most special signature events! We look forward to seeing the next class of students collect their stoles and proudly represent their excellence.

Jun
0
9:00AM
New Bedford NAACP Freedom Fund Breakfast

Join the New Bedford Branch NAACP for an empowering and immersive experience held each year to celebrate our community's collective power. The Convention attracts innovative change-makers, thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, entertainers, influencers, and creatives to network and exchange ideas.

See all events

UMassD fosters diversity and inclusion

Students and alums discuss how the Black History 4 Seasons Council, Frederick Douglas Unity House, & mentors help pave the way to success. Check out their stories and join us at an upcoming event.

Antz Lee Francois
Antz-Lee Francois '22: Preparing to lead
Engaging in research activities, pursuing leadership roles, & gaining real-world experience are just a few of the ways Francois chose to set the course for his career path.
Efe Oboh-Idahosa pictured in the Claire T. Carney Library
Honors College student creates campus program that advocates for others
Efe Oboh-Idahosa ‘23 is majoring in political science with a pre-law concentration, minoring in black studies, and plans to attend law school
Alexander Nwonye
Alexander Nwonye '22
Preparing for a career in computer engineering
Chidinma Irabor
Chidinma Irabor ’22
Discovering a passion for art
Spencer Berryman, marketing major at UMass Dartmouth
Spencer Berryman ’21: The art of communication
Faculty mentors, community service work, and a Dell EMC workshop help Spencer find the confidence to pursue a bright future.
Ian Mwalago, business school student and Dell-EMC intern
Ian Mwalago '22: Changing the faces of tech
Ian Mwalago shares how finding an on-campus mentor and participating in the UMassD/Dell-EMC "Changing the Faces of Technology STEM Leadership" collaboration has positioned him for success.
Abderahmane Naidjate is a junior majoring in engineering at UMassD
Abderahmane Naidjate '21: Fortune 500 intern
Being involved in a student organization for young professionals has helped Abderahmane, a computer engineering major, hone his leadership skills and land internships with two Fortune 500 companies.

Partner with us

If you are interested in partnering with the Council, or if you are planning an event that you would like to have added to our calendar, please contact Peggy Dias at 508.999.8791 or mdias@umassd.edu.

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