CBU celebrates Black History Month with artistic event

Riverside, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2022) – Community Life partnered with the Black Student Union (BSU) to host a Black History Month event on Feb. 8.

The evening was hosted in Lancer Plaza at California Baptist University and featured an art gallery, Southern food and a talent showcase. BSU members presented poetry, performed spoken word and sang. Attendees also had an opportunity to paint their own art pieces.

“Our goal was to provide an atmosphere for students to learn about Black culture and about Black history and to provide a safe space for our Black students on campus to showcase their talents,” said Mia Tamayo, a biomedical sciences sophomore and Community Life intern.

Jordan Hill, a political science senior and BSU president, said the event allowed students to learn from each other in a community-oriented setting.

“One of the main purposes of this event is one of [CBU’s] Core 4—Globally Minded,” Hill said. “It is also to help us demonstrate spiritual literacy and expand upon things we might not understand and learn from one another.”

Community Life and BSU wanted to create a fun environment while showcasing BSU and their members, said Jessenya Scherler, a public health sophomore and Community Life intern.

“I’m really excited for people who have never learned about Black history to come and get a little bit of a taste of it and just enjoy it with their friends,” Scherler said.

Michaila Harrington, a health science junior, performed her poem titled “I Am Black and Beautiful.”

“I wanted to perform to celebrate and give some recognition to Black History Month, and to inspire other Black CBU students with my poem,” Harrington said. “I think events like this are important to recognize Black History Month and just show the beauty and the talent and the creativity that us African American people have.”

Hill said his favorite part of the event was seeing friends share their talents.

“It is really cool to be able to give people a platform to be able to share their experiences whether it is a song, step [dance] or a poem,” Hill said. “It is really cool to work with the campus of CBU and to bring everyone together for an event like this.”

BSU has several more events planned throughout Black History Month, including two CBU basketball games on Feb. 10 and Feb. 24 and a movie night on the Recreation Center roof on Feb. 25.