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Black FUTURE month underway with something for all

On and off campus events to educate the public, celebrate Black History Month

headshot of Anne Bowling By Anne Bowling
4 minute read February 10, 2025

Join in a month full of celebrations, from galas to thought-provoking conversations to delicious food. Black FUTURE Month, sponsored by the University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences, is underway to observe Black History Month.

Why Black FUTURE Month? Because it celebrates both history and the future, says Senior Associate Dean Littisha Bates, whose office has sponsored several of the events.

"It's important to celebrate Black history because it's American history," she says. "It's central to our history as all Americans."

As the month rolls on, here's a sampling of what you can look forward to:

Drink-n-Thinks

Gather each Wednesday night at Ludlow Wines, 330 Ludlow Ave, for a lecture series about everything you've ever wanted to know about Black history but were hesitant to ask.

Discussions will be hosted by Associate Professor of History Holly McGee.

The Un-Common Read

A poster reads Black FUTURE Month 2025: Black Future Month 2025, the Un-Common Read, Viral Justice: How we grow the world we want by Ruha Benjamin. Join us every Monday in February as we read about the relationships between innovation and inequity, knowledge and power, and health and justice. Taft Research Center, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24.

UC's Taft Research Center is sponsoring the Un-Common Read events for Black FUTURE Month 2025.

Each Monday in February, join in for The Un-Common Read, looking at the relationship between innovation and equity, knowledge and power, and health and justice. Pick up your free copy of "Viral Justice" at the Taft Research Center, then enjoy the Center as a quiet reading space (with snacks) in the afternoon. The author, Ruha Benjamin, will be on campus in early March, so let's read her book together in advance of her visit! Small conversation groups welcome.

Sponsored by The Charles P. Taft Research Center.

Free Black Food Truck Fridays

Poster for Free Black Food Truck Fridays: Feb. 7 is Golden Foot Soul Food Cook-off, Feb. 14, 21, 28 are Black Food Truck Fridays.

Poster for Free Black Food Truck Fridays for Black FUTURE Month 2025. Image/provided.

Once you've worked up an appetite, don't miss FREE Black Food Truck Fridays on Sigma Sigma Commons.

Support local businesses and enjoy a taste (or two!) of delicious fare. These are ticketed events, so be sure to attend a Black FUTURE Month event the week before to get your ticket.

Weather not cooperating?  The event will be moved to French Hall West, Africana Studies student lounge, 3rd floor.

Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Senior Assistant Dean Littisha Bates.

Historical Black church visits

Poster for Historical Black Church Visits for Black FUTURE Month 2025 outlines locations: Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. at Allen Temple AME Church, 7080 Reading Road; Feb. 9 at 10:45 a.m. at Union Baptist Church, 405 W. 7th St. with a 2 p.m. cemetery tour; Feb. 16 at 11 a.m. at New Life Missionary Baptist Church, 6434 Simpson Ave.; Feb. 23 at 10:45 a.m. at Gaines United Methodist Church at 5707 Madison Road.

Poster for Historical Black Church Visits for Black FUTURE Month 2025. Image/provided.

Visit New Life Missionary Baptist Church or Gaines United Methodist Church for services and to learn how Black churches are an integral, cultural part of the part of the faith-based community, past present and future. Please arrive in the lobby 10 minutes before service for group Bearcat seating.

A free Fellowship Lunch with be provided.

Sponsored by the University of Cincinnati Office of the Vice Provost.

Diaspora Speaker Series

Join to explore myriad fields within the realm of Diaspora Studies. Celebrate new publications and productions in AfroFuturism, global health sciences, hip hop studies, multimodal ethnography, and race as political technologies. While supplies last, get a free book/CD signed following the Q&A.

Sponsored by The Charles P. Taft Research Center.

Mini movie festival

Come check out a great film/documentary, enjoy movie treats, and take part in great discussions each Tuesday in February! Location: TUC Cinema.

This is just a sampling of the events throughout Black FUTURE Month at UC. Find out more about dates, times, and even more events here.

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