In observance of Black History Month, Pepperdine University will host a variety of
events and activities on campus and virtually to honor and educate the community on
the triumphs and trials of African Americans throughout US history. 

Black History Month, an annual celebration that grew out of “Negro History Week,”
is the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African
Americans. Since 1976, every US president has officially designated the month of February
as Black History Month, and other countries around the world, including Canada and
the United Kingdom, have devoted a month to celebrating Black history. Each year since
its inception, US presidents have endorsed a theme relating to Black History Month.
This year’s theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” explores the key influence of
African Americans in the fields of “visual and performing arts, literature, fashion,
folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary, and other forms of cultural
expression.”

The Pepperdine community is encouraged to participate in the following 2024 Black
History Month events and activities:

Pepperdine Black Network: Wisdom for the Workplace

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 | 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM | The Lighthouse

Presented by the Seaver College and Graziadio Business School Black Student Associations,
the Black Alumni Association invites faculty, staff, students, alumni, and parents
to attend a leadership seminar and networking mixer. The event will feature a panel
of alumni speakers, including Asia Bribiesca-Hedin (’93), Lexi Aguayo (’20), Olivia
Robinson (’20), and Devin Bristow (’20), who will share their wisdom for the workplace
from a Pepperdine Black alumni perspective. Following the speaker sessions, attendees
are encouraged to mingle together, learn from one another, and build their network
of Waves. Light bites and refreshments are included with registration. 

Film Screening and Panel Discussion of Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 | 6 PM to 8 PM | Elkins Auditorium

Sponsored by the Office for Community Belonging, the Center for Faith and Learning,
Student Affairs, and Intercultural Affairs, Pepperdine will host a screening of the
multi-award winning documentary Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom. This film shares Rasool Berry’s journey through Texas as he engages with descendants
of enslaved people emancipated on June 19, 1865. Following the screening, a discussion
with Berry, along with Pepperdine faculty across the University’s five schools will
follow. All are invited to attend and engage in a process of learning, relearning,
and unlearning. Refreshments will be provided. Register to attend.

Leading Edge Conversations: A Discussion with African American Business Leaders: Resilience,
Innovation, and Opportunity

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 | 6 PM to 7:30 PM | Zoom

In recognition of Black History Month, the Graziadio Alumni Network invites the community
to hear from prominent Graziadio Business School alumni Britta Wilson (EdD ’16,  MBA
’92), Quincy Newell (MBA ’12), and Phillip William Sheppard (MBA ’22, PKE 147) as
they discuss the impact of being successful Black business leaders in America. The
conversation will uncover the unique journey each panelist encountered on their road
to becoming trailblazers. Register to attend the virtual event.

Graduate School of Education and Psychology Center for Partnerships and Learning |
Series of Events

Civil Rights Movement Collection Display | February 2024 | Payson Library 

Pepperdine Libraries will offer a selection of books about the Civil Rights Movement
throughout the month of February. Learn more about the Black History Month collection
on the Pepperdine Libraries website.

Visit Pepperdine’s Black History Month website to learn more about upcoming events and discover a variety of contributions and technological
advancements developed by African American inventors and thought leaders that have
greatly impacted our daily lives.