Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in American history.

Sacramento State is actively participating in Black History Month by holding several on-campus events throughout the month of February to commemorate the fight for civil rights.

“The event grew out of ‘Negro History Week,’ the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history,” according to History.com.

The focus of these events, on campus and in surrounding areas, is to promote social justice.

That could be through lectures, comedy skits or contemporary art. The goal is to showcase diversity in all forms and celebrate it while also highlighting historical challenges.

“I feel like African-Americans should see themselves in a different light,” said Delgreta Brown, the featured artist of Black History Month at Sac State. “I don’t want to continually harp on any negative images.”

The following events are just a few taking place this month:

Jan. 26 through Feb. 19, in the University Union Gallery, “(N)eon: The New Eon,” is an art exhibit by contemporary artist Brown.

Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m., in the University Union Ballroom, Kel Mitchell from Nickelodeon will perform stand up and have a Q&A session.

Feb. 10 at 10 a.m., in the Multi-Cultural Center, Social Justice Coffee Hour: #BlackLivesMatter. A discussion on how to be an ally to the black community post-Ferguson.

Feb. 17 at 7 p.m., in the University Ballroom 3, Black History Celebration.

Feb. 17 at 7 p.m., at the University of the Pacific, Angela Davis lecture at Faye Spanos Concert Hall.

Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m., in the Multi-Cultural Center, Social Justice Film Series: “Free Angela Davis & All Political Prisoners,” a documentary that chronicles the life of Angela Davis.

Feb. 19 at 3 p.m., in the Multi-Cultural Center, “A Little Sugar in the Tank,” an interactive lecture on the black LGBTW+ Experience, Activism, Histories, Politics and more.

Feb. 19 at 3 p.m., in the University Ballroom, “Dear White People,” (2014) an American satirical film.

Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m., in the University Union Hinde Auditorium, “The African-American Perspective on Law Enforcement.”

Black History Month is not just about black culture and hardships that the African American community faces.

It is also about the challenges that others face outside of the community and how people, in any community, can come together to combat those challenges.

Visit www.calendar.csus.edu for more information on these events.

For more information on the Angela Davis lecture, visit https://calendar.pacific.edu/calendar