Black History Month

Join In Shenandoah’s Celebration
of Black History

Black History Month

A Wide Variety of Events Held Throughout February Explore the Richness of Black Life, History, Culture, Accomplishment and More!

2024 Schedule 0f Events

National Museum of African American History and Culture Trip

Sunday, Feb. 4 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Only 20 seats are available for this trip to Washington, D.C., to explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Registration is required for this excursion sponsored by the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, as space is limited. Participants will arrive at the National Museum at approximately 9:45 a.m., explore the museum and the National Mall until approximately 4 p.m., and return to campus by 6:30 p.m. Lunch will not be provided; dining options will be available in and around the National Mall.

Sunday Chapel

Sunday, Feb. 4 | 11:30 a.m.
Goodson Chapel – Recital Hall

Kick off Black History Month with Spiritual Life and Vice President for Student Affairs Yolanda Barbier Gibson, D.A., at Sunday Chapel. Dr. Gibson will share a reflection at this service, which will include scripture, music, prayer, fellowship, and communion.

Black Music Mondays

Mondays Feb. 5, Feb. 12, Feb. 19, Feb. 26 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Brandt Student Center, Lobby

Listen to and learn about music with African and African American roots on Mondays throughout February, courtesy of The Mosaic Center for Diversity. Learn about the origins of your favorite music while you listen! For more information, contact mosaiccenter@freoreport.net.

Black History Month Game Night

Tuesday, Feb. 6 | 6-8:30 p.m.
Brandt Student Center, room 123 (Borden Student Associations Center aka B-SAC)

Play trivia, bingo, and other games with the Mosaic Center for Diversity. Each game is packed with little-known facts about Black history. There will be prizes for the winners. For more information, contact mosaiccenter@freoreport.net.

Studio Big Band: The Legacy of Ellington & Strayhorn

Friday, Feb. 9 | 7:30 p.m.
Armstrong Concert Hall

The Studio Big Band celebrates the legacy of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Billy Strayhorn, a musical collaboration resulting in hundreds of compositions rooted deep in the Great American Songbook.

Shenandoah University students, faculty and staff are eligible for complimentary tickets, subject to availability. Visit conservatoryperforms.org to learn more about the event, explore the digital program, and more.

Douglass Day Closing Keynote

Wednesday, Feb. 14 | 4 p.m.
Smith Library

David McCormick ’01, ’03, ’09 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Master of Music in Performance, Artist Diploma) will present the closing keynote as part of Shenandoah University’s celebration of Douglass Day in February. McCormick will share findings from his investigation into the repertoire of Black musicians at Monticello at 4 p.m. on Feb. 14, in Smith Library. McCormick currently serves as the executive director for Early Music America and the artistic director of Early Music Access Project. This keynote is part of Douglass Day, an annual project co-presented with the Library of Congress and the By the People crowdsourcing platform that celebrates Douglass’s birthday and invites participants to help transcribe his letters, making them accessible to researchers worldwide. Visit libguides.freoreport.net/crowdsourcing/douglass to learn more.

Symphony Orchestra: Student Soloists Competition Winners Concert

Saturday, Feb. 17 | 7:30 p.m.
Armstrong Concert Hall

For this concert, the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra accompanies the winners of the Student Soloists Competition, who represent the conservatory’s keyboard, instrumental and vocal/choral divisions. In celebration of Black History Month, the ensemble also presents Jessie Montgomery’s “Soul Force,” a work whose title is drawn from Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The one-movement symphonic work seeks to portray the notion of a voice that struggles to be heard beyond the shackles of oppression and features elements of popular African American musical styles, such as big-band jazz, funk, hip-hop and R+B.

Sneaker Gala

Saturday, Feb. 17 | 7 p.m.
Vaden Campus Commons, Classroom A

Current students, alumni and members of the local community are invited to the Shenandoah University Black Alumni Network’s first-ever Sneaker Gala, “A Night of Excellence,” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. The attire for this event is formal (suit, tie, gown, etc.) accompanied by your best sneakers. A $500 Visa gift card will be awarded to the student with the best sneaker, courtesy of the Black Alumni Network.

Registration closes Monday, Feb. 12 at 11:59 p.m.

World of the Piano: Clayton Stephenson

Sunday, Feb. 18 | 2:30 p.m.
Armstrong Concert Hall

American pianist Clayton Stephenson’s love for music is immediately apparent in his joyous charisma onstage, expressive power and natural ease at the instrument. Hailed for “extraordinary narrative and poetic gifts” and interpretations that are “fresh, incisive and characterfully alive” (Gramophone), he is committed to making an impact on the world through his music-making. His accolades along the way have been numerous: in addition to being the first Black finalist at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in 2022, he was named a 2022 Gilmore Young Artist, as well as a 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts and a Young Scholar of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation. Stephenson’s program features music by Bach, Beethoven, Albéniz and Gershwin, including “Rhapsody in Blue” which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Life Skills: Dinner Etiquette

Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 6:30 p.m.
Village Square Restaurant, Winchester, VA

Etiquette is not something you just need to use for fancy dinners or outings. Come enjoy a nice meal while learning about the dos and don’ts of modern dinner etiquette. Dahlia Ashford will serve as the event facilitator. The event is limited to the first 20 registrants due to venue capacity. Registration will close once we reach 20 registrants. The event is sponsored by the 2024 Black History Month Committee.

Celebrating the Life of Tenor and Composer Roland Hayes in Song

Friday, Feb. 23 | 7 p.m.
Armstrong Concert Hall

Jackson Caesar, who has studied vocal pedagogy (contemporary and commercial music) at the graduate level at Shenandoah, will perform a one-man concert from the audio documentary project, “Spirituals: Celebrating the Music, Life, and Legacy of Roland Hayes.” The event is open and free to the community in partnership with the City of Winchester Black History Month committee and the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity.

CANCELED – African Theatre Workshop with Desirée Dabney ’14

Sunday, Feb. 25 | 2 p.m.
Glaize Studio Theatre

Desirée Dabney ’14 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting), head of musical theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University, leads students in a workshop that reinforces critical thinking and communication skills through African theatre activities. Students will be able to identify expressions physically and emotionally — creating their own “Nigerian Praise Poem” and presenting a final performance through imaginative play. No experience is necessary to participate. This event is sponsored by Shenandoah University’s Black History Month committee. Visit the African Theater Workshop Registration Google Form to learn more and register.

CANCELED – She Is The Narrative

Sunday, Feb. 25 | 4 p.m.
Glaize Studio Theatre

“She is the Narrative” gives voice to the voiceless through history and present times. Directed by Desirée Dabney ’14 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting), “She is the Narrative” explores historical events, personal experiences and finding your voice when you are voiceless due to the color of your skin. This exploration leads an audience to discover, think and develop actions, celebrate black history together, cry, laugh, reflect, and rejoice. The performance will be followed by a Q&A with the artists. This event is free and open to the public; no tickets are required. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by Shenandoah University’s Black History Month committee.

Dabney is a professional actor, singer, director, teacher and executive director of Theatre Diva Productions in Richmond, Virginia. She currently serves as assistant professor and head of musical theatre at Virginia Commonwealth University.