Black History and Futures Month
February 2025
Stories of Us: Past, Present, and Possible
The African American Cultural Center invites you to celebrate Black History and Futures Month with us – a month-long celebration that at NC State.
Why “Futures?” We celebrate Black History and Futures Month to honor a rich, dynamic legacy while looking towards our future. Emphasizing the word “futures” in our celebration reminds us that Black History is not a static past. The richness of our experiences reflects a vibrant, living, and evolving tradition that spans the globe. Just as we practice Sankofa–looking back to draw strength and wisdom from our past to create an abundant present–we also affirm that we all will thrive in the future. By imagining and building those futures, we ensure that our stories, innovations, and dreams continue to shape the world for generations to come.
This year’s theme is “Stories of Us: Past, Present, and Possible.” This Black History and Futures Month, we honor the stories that shape us—from the past that ground us to the futures we dare to imagine. Through the lens of storytelling, we’ll explore how our narratives manifest in art, literature, scholarship, culture, health, and everyday life. Each event this month—whether it’s a joyful celebration, a thought-provoking panel, or a quiet gathering of introverts—is a piece of the larger story of creativity and self-determination.
Join us as we explore culture, engage in conversation, and build community.
Events
Symposium on Afrofuturism and Diasporic Scholarship
The African American Cultural Center (AACC) is thrilled to announce our 2025 Symposium on Afrofuturism and Diasporic Scholarship at the James B. Hunt Jr. Library.
The symposium will feature diasporic learning, scholarship, and epistemologies through cutting-edge research, storytelling, creative works, discussion circles, and community projects from NC State and the local community. This symposium promotes student success by elevating diasporic scholarship, research, and intellectual rigor.
Award-winning poet, cultural organizer, performing artist, and scholar Dasan Ahanu will deliver the keynote address.
Book Clubs
Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known Book Club (Pride Center and AACC)
Join the LGBTQ Pride Center and the African American Cultural Center Library for a book club for Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known by George M. Johnson. This in-person book club event is February 26.
The first 20 people to sign up for the book club will receive a free book and reading kit.
Legendborn Cultural Center Book Club
The NC State cultural centers and NC State University Libraries have joined together to host a full semester book club to read and discuss the award-winning book, Legendborn by Tracy Deon this spring. Each month book club sessions will be hosted by a different cultural center and the facilitated discussion will uplift the populations served by the hosting center. Students, faculty and staff are all welcome to join. Sign up for more information.
The first 20 people to sign up for the book club will receive a free book and reading kit. Kits are curated by the African American Cultural Center Library, Multicultural Students Affairs, the Women’s Center, the LGBT Pride center and the NC State University Libraries.
Other Events
The History of Black History Month
Black History Month is a time when communities across the nation come together to celebrate the achievements of and by Black Americans and recognize the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. Black History Month started as “Negro History Week,” in 1926, conceived by Carter G. Woodson, an influential African American historian, educator, and scholar. In 1976, it became a month-long national observance. February was selected as the official month to include the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.