By Dianne Anderson

Discover, curate and contemplate, but most of all celebrate Black History Month events throughout the city are opening the eyes of awareness. of culture, social justice, academics, and the arts.

Paul Carter, assistant director of the Black Resource Center at Cal State University, Long Beach, said this month brings several thought-provoking and multidimensional workshops for students almost daily.

For the past 25 years, campus students have started and have kept their tradition of MLK Day appreciation in February so they wouldn’t miss the celebration when school was out in January. That event is on Thursday, February 8, held for students and open to the community at USU Ballrooms.

Although not exactly Black History Month focused, a “You’ve Been Warned” event will have advisors helping students at risk of academic probation. On Thursday, February 15, that event prevents Black students from falling through the cracks.

“If they are struggling academically, we’ll have a presentation workshop. They can get proactive and rather than finding out they are academically ineligible for or in serious academic standing,” he said.

That same day, some, maybe all of the Divine 9 will catch up with students interested in joining the organization in “Meet the Greeks,” held at 7:00 p.m.

The following Wednesday, February 21, EOP educational opportunity program covers tips on surviving campus life.

Paul Carter, assistant director of the Black Resource Center at Cal State University, Long Beach

“Many Black students participate in EOP. They wanted a panel of Long Beach graduates to come back and engage with our students. It’s open to the whole community and students, even if not a guardian [foster] background,” he said.

Also coming up, he said students in social justice work can inquire about their recent Catalyst for Change scholarship at the center, which will be released this spring.

The Black Student Faculty and Staff Mixer on February 28 wraps up campus events, and helps students get familiar with and learn where to turn when they need extra help with mentorships and guidance, with applications for graduate school and career opportunities.

Connecting with Black Faculty and Staff is a great way to forge relationships, and also lead to letters of recommendation, he said. Last year, they planned other activities with the mixer, but students just wanted to sit and learn at the feet of the educators.

“Sometimes students don’t see faculty outside of classroom settings, or staff outside of professional settings. It’s to build comfort and trust. We have seen relationships and staff grow a lot through that program,” he said.

Also around town, from February 17, Loiter Galleries opens the sculpture exhibition of Larry Stokes “Power of Five: The Women who Sparked the Civil Rights Movement.” Stokes sculpted the “I Have a Dream,” Dr. King’s statue at MLK Park in Long Beach. That event runs from 6-9:00 p.m., located at 425 The Promenade N.

Come one, come all for popcorn and refreshments on Tuesday, February 20 when Black History Month Movie Night celebrates family-friendly “Disney’s Princess and the Frog.” That event is held from 5-7:00 p.m. at Los Altos Neighborhood Library, at 5614 Britton Dr.

Teens will look more deeply into the heart of street art with a self-portrait in the style of the late multi-millionaire neo-expressionist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. It will be held Wednesday, February 21 from 4-5:00 p.m. at Los Altos Neighborhood Library, 5614 Britton Drive.

The fun continues with Black artists, poets and other creatives are invited Saturday, February 24 from noon to 3:00 p.m., to break out their talent with Black Voices Open Mic event at Burnett Neighborhood Library, located at 560 E. Hill St. The event is free with light refreshments and open to all ages.

For both February 24 and 25, the Aquarium of the Pacific hosts its 22nd African American Festival, a free event with a general admission ticket. Both days run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with music, dance, storytelling and historical displays and the Aquarium will also host its Heritage Award Ceremony.

February 25, the community will glimpse just how widespread Africa has traversed across cultures as the Museum of Latin American Art celebrates its Afro-Latinx Festival with Street Dance Orixas, Colombian folk dance and art workshops. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., held at 628 Alamitos Ave.

On Wednesday, February 28, teens and tweens can come out to talk and Craft it Out: Paint like Alma Thomas, exploring in colors in the patterns of the esteemed educator and advocate Alma Woodsey Thomas. The creative event runs from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library, located at 5870 Atlantic Ave.

For more dates and times, see https://csulb.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/black-resource-center/events