Portales, NM – February 1, 2024 –Eastern New Mexico University African American Affairs Office announced today their events to celebrate Black History Month.

Black History Month is an annual observance in the United States. The event was first celebrated during a week in February in 1926. The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation's bicentennial. Carter G. Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12 and the 14, respectively.

"Past events for Black History Month inspired me as someone who came straight out of Nigeria and into Black American History and wanted to create a Black History Month with inspirational, educational, and entertaining events," said Glory Enemchukwu, the coordinator of the African American Affairs Office at ENMU. "I am inviting you all; I hope you all come to show your support and enjoy these events, which I am very proud of."

To celebrate Black History Month, the Office of African American Affairs has planned the following events on the ENMU campus.

• Thursday, February 1 at 11:30 a.m. – Black History Month Kickoff Tabling at the Campus Union
• Every Friday During February – Durags and Bonnets Fridays all over campus
• Tuesday, February 6 at 7 p.m. – Tribute to Bob Marley at Buchanan Hall in the Music Building
• Monday, February 12 at 2 p.m. – Ghanaian Heritage Presentation at the Campus Union, Sandia Room
• Tuesday, February 13 at 5 p.m.– Delicacies from a Ghanaian Cuisine at the Culinary Arts Building
• Wednesday, February 14 at 2 p.m. – Honoring Love and Legacy: Saint Valentine's Impact on Black History at the Campus Union, Sandia Room
• Tuesday, February 20 at 2 p.m. – My Life in Two Quotes from Oprah by Carlyn Pinkins at the Campus Union Building, Sandia Room
• Tuesday, February 27 at 2 p.m. – The Diary of an Early Career Scientist- Dr. Anu Ogunleye at the Campus Union, Pecos Room
• Thursday, February 29 at 6 p.m. – Leap Year Celebration: Kirk House Band at the Campus Union

For more information on the events planned to celebrate Black History Month, visit www.enmu.edu/Events.

For more information on ENMU's Office of African American Affairs, visit www.enmu.edu/AfricanAmericanAffairs.