By Ryan Girves
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 31, 2025) – This February, the University of Kentucky Martin Luther King Center, along with partners across campus, will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events and programs throughout the month. The events are open to the UK community and the public.
Jasmine Prince, associate director of the MLK Center, says this year’s theme is “Black Hands, Bold Futures: The Power of Labor, Innovation and Advocacy.”
“The last two years our committee has built the theme in alignment with the national theme for the month that is selected by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History,” Prince said. “The national theme is centered on African Americans and labor which sparked the committee’s conversation on how integral Black hands, Black genius and Black people have been across history in shaping every industry.
“From agriculture to technology, pop culture and beyond, the labor that Black people have contributed is felt, even if it is rarely acknowledged. This year’s theme is an opportunity to celebrate our contributions and the collective impact of our work, both nationally and across the globe.”
This year’s signature events include:
Monday, Feb. 3 | 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Gatton Student Center Grand Ballrooms AB
Coffee House Jazz & Poetry Night
Thursday, Feb. 13
6-7:30 p.m. | Jazz & Poetry with the Ron Jones Quartet
The Cornerstone
Tuesday, Feb.18 | 5:30 p.m.
Worsham Cinema
A Night at the Apollo: Student Talent Showcase
Thursday, Feb. 27 | 6 p.m.
Harris Ballroom, Gatton Student Center
Along with the committee’s signature events, the UK Department of Biology will feature posters in the Jacobs Science Building, highlighting historical and contemporary people in STEM.
“I hope the campus community finds interest in the different events we’re holding, whether that’s the jazz and poetry night or the student talent showcase,” said Gabrielle Copeland, an MLK Center intern who serves on the planning committee.
To stay connected year-round, Prince recommends UK students seek out organizations with missions to support Black students by creating communities to learn and belong.
“Our student organization leaders do a great job of creating community moments and also having reflective and progressive conversations related to Black history, culture and community,” Prince said.
The campus community is also encouraged to follow along throughout February, and year-round, as UKNow shares the stories of students, faculty, staff and alumni who are advancing Kentucky every day.