There’s a symmetry to two of the key events that bookend Black History Month events at Stanislaus State. 

One of the first events is Kenjus Watson’s talk, “Towards Apocalyptic Education: Addressing Racialized Stress and Community Healing.” 

The American University assistant professor of urban education in the university’s School of Education, Watson’s Feb. 6 speech will focus on how systemic challenges impact education, health and well-being. He’ll touch on the biological effects of racialized stress and share a forward-thinking approach inspired by Black ancestral knowledge, holistic wellness and community connection.  

One of the final events of Stan State’s Black History Month commemoration is a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Malcolm X with the Department of Ethnic Studies’ Black Power Matters on Feb. 25. Like Watson, organizer Goshu Tefera is seeking a historic and forward perspective. 

The keynote speaker is UC Berkeley Professor Ula Taylor, whose books include a biography of Amy Jacques Garvey, wife of Marcus Garvey, and “The Promise of Patriarchy: Women and the Nation of Islam.” 

“Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey are Pan-African thinkers. They are both radical leaders of the 20th century,” Tefera said. “Professor Taylor’s work focuses on bringing the women’s experience forward, making it more visible. She has done work on Betty Shabazz (wife of Malcolm X). She’s a Black feminist. She’s interested in highlighting these experiences. Malcolm X was a member of the Nation of Islam. Her book, ‘The Promise of Patriarchy,’ explores women in the organization from the 1930s to the 1970s. Usually, women are viewed as passive, but women found empowerment and purpose in the Nation of Islam framework.” 

Taylor, whose book on Amy Jaques Garvey was required reading for Tefera when he was a graduate student at Syracuse University, is not the only speaker who will offer a unique perspective on Malcolm X. 

Three members of Stan State’s Black Student Union will share some of his story and answer Tefera’s questions to them: What does Malcolm X mean to you and how do you envision the next 100 years? 

Noting “students are the center of what we do here,” Tefera said he deliberately looked for a way to include students in the program. He also wanted to make them think about the future. 

“I understand they learn history, Black history, even in my classes, but we need to give equal attention to the future,” Tefera said. “We need to make sure we are not dwelling on the past and recognize the impact of what’s going on now and how it’s affecting us. How do we envision tomorrow? What is the ideal situation 100 years from now? What lessons have we learned? We are a Hispanic Serving Institution. How do people experience struggles and challenges in different forms in the 21st century? How do we address injustice? What would be the relevance of Malcolm X’s message today? We don’t have all the answers, but I want our students to think.” 

Black Power Matters is from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 25 on the second floor of the University Student Center. 

Other Stan State Black History Month events include: 

·         8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today: Black History Month Fair
The Black Faculty Staff Association, in collaboration with Student Leadership, Engagement and Belonging, kicks off Black History Month commemorations with a resource fair at the Warrior Cross Cultural Center in Library 203. The event allows the campus community to share available resources to support Black student success. 

·         11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today: Kick Black 
The informal gathering in the Warrior Cross Cultural Center is intended to build community, and this inaugural Kick Black will include Black History Month Trivia/Jeopardy.  

·         Feb. 6: “Towards Apocalyptic Education: Addressing Racialized Stress and Community Healing” with Kenjus Watson
The Assistant Professor of Urban Education in the School of Education at American University and collaborator in community responsive projects as research lead, educator, and co-founder of the Institute for Regenerative Futures in the College of Education at San Jose State University, will spend the day at Stanislaus State’s campuses. 

Watson will speak in Karen Snell’s Counseling Techniques class at the Stockton Campus from 9:30 a.m.-10:45 a.m., have lunch with the BFSA from noon-2 p.m., meet with students and Black Student Success Coordinator Myisha Butler-Ibawi in the Warrior Cross Cultural Center from 2-3 p.m. in a Ted Talk-inspired gathering that “aims to encourage the removal of our mask that we often learn to wear for belonging and acceptance.” The session aims to share truths and wisdom to inspire and empower one another. Watson will then meet with Shokoufeh Jashnani’s Diversity and Equity in Health course on the Turlock Campus from 3-5 p.m. and speak to the public from 5:30-7 p.m. in Snider Recital Hall or on Zoom. Registration is free.  

Watson’s visit is part of the President’s Diversity Celebration Series. 

·         6-7 p.m. Feb. 11: Black Maternal and Infant Health in the Central Valley 
Join us as we host a panel of Black health workers at our Stockton Campus to discuss infant and maternity health in the Black community. 

·         3-5 p.m. Feb. 12: Black Tarot, Black Love Edition
Join us and alumnus Elijah Carter in the Warrior Cross Cultural Center, Library 203.

·         5-7:30 p.m. Feb. 13: Black Voices Movie Night
The screening of the Academy Award-winning “Moonlight,” on National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, is co-sponsored by Black Student Success and Delta Sigma Theta in the Warrior Cross Cultural Center, Library 203. 

·         7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 21: The Voting Rights Act & the 'Arc of History'
Professor Bret Carroll will ponder whether the “arc of history” bends toward justice as Martin Luther King Jr. believed in observation of the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Co-sponsored by Stan State’s Department of History and Phi Alpha Theta, the history honor society, the program in FDC 118 is open to the campus and broader community. 

·         6-8 p.m. Feb. 25: Black Power Matters
Ethnic Studies Program featuring scholar and feminist Ula Taylor on the second floor of the Student Center. 

·         5-7:30 p.m. Feb. 26: Album Unpacking Party Gospel Edition
This edition of the Album Unpacking Party will look at various gospel artists and discuss the themes and implications of the songs pertaining to the collective Black experience. The event will be in the Warrior Cross Cultural Center, Library 203 

·         3-4 p.m. Feb. 28: Black Joy and Liberation
The Counseling and Psychological Services workshop with Kimberly Richardson in Library 201 is planned to celebrate and explore Black identity, joy and liberation through expressive arts. It centers on Black voices as participants create personalized collages that reflect their experiences, hopes and dreams in the spirit of joy and liberation. Registration is required.