Founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1976, Black History Month is a month-long celebration in February that aims to spread pride through the Black community. 

This year’s celebration comes as laws to reverse diversity, equity and inclusion practices are being enacted in the United States, resulting in several University of Oregon Black leaders speaking out about education, connection and support.

“Especially at a time where diversity, equity (and) inclusion (are) a prominent discussion topic in our politics as well as in everyday life, Black History Month is important (for) recogni(zing)… how much impact Black folks and Black culture has on the United States specifically, but also globally,” Aris Hall, inaugural director for Lyllye Reynolds-Parker Black Cultural Center, said.

According to Hall, this theme of recognizing Black people’s contributions in all aspects of life inspired the BCC’s 2025 Black History Month mantra, “Black Mosaic: The impact of Black culture on America.” 

Throughout the month, BCC is hosting several events and speakers to support this theme, including keynote speaker Bimma Williams, a marketing educator who worked for Nike. 

UO’s Black Student Union is also hosting events, including a movie screening of “The Lost Tapes: Malcolm X.” 

Liyah Hall, the outreach coordinator for the Black Student Union, said educating people on the role of the Black community in American and world history can help people understand and shift current political narratives. 

“I think it is so important for us, not just as BSU but for the whole campus to celebrate (Black History Month) especially because of everything that is happening in the world (with) all the erasure that is going on. It is a good time for us to learn about history and spread awareness,” Liyah Hall said.

Meera Bowman-Johnson, the communications manager for UO Division of Equity and Inclusion, said it is important to look to historically inspirational Black figures to move forward.

“By choosing to reflect on and acknowledge the ways Black Americans have impacted history as a campus community, we are afforded the opportunity to take pride in our collective strength,” Bowman-Johnson said.

The BCC is named after an influential local Black woman, Lyllye Reynolds-Parker, who was an acclaimed UO academic advisor from one of Eugene’s first Black families. The center honors her legacy by hosting events and resources to support UO’s Black community. 

“(Black History Month) is all about learning from what they (famous Black figures) did and I think that shows in our naming of who we are, our space of Lyllye Reynolds-Parker and what she did for the community (and) her family,” Hall said.