Penn students, faculty, and cultural groups are hosting a slate of events throughout February in recognition of Black History Month.
Across schools, academic centers, and college houses, the programming is part of Penn’s annual celebration of the month. Students will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of events — including historical discussions, musical activities, and culinary experiences.
On Feb. 13, the Price Lab for Digital Humanities will be hosting the annual Douglass Day at Van Pelt-Dietrich Library to mark the birth of Frederick Douglass. Each year, the event gathers “thousands” of people for a transcribe-a-thon, where participants work on a transcription project to help create “freely available” resources about Black history.
Three days later, Gutmann College House will commemorate the month with a “Soul Food and Sounds” event. The evening will feature a playlist of popular Black artists, along with traditional soul food.
The African American Resource Center partnered with the School of Engineering & Applied Science and the School of Social Policy and Practice to launch a virtual program titled “AI and the Dream: Technology in Service of Humanity” on Jan. 28. The program discussed how Martin Luther King Jr.’s ethical imperatives can guide the use of artificial intelligence.
The School of Dental Medicine is set to host its annual Black History Month event on Feb. 26 in the Corby Auditorium, followed by a reception in the Lerner Pavilion. Quodarrius Toney — the school's Black History Month keynote speaker — will host the event.
The Souls of Du Bois Symposium, co-sponsored by Campus Philly and Campus 250, will take place on Feb. 26 at Du Bois College House and on Feb. 27 at Gutmann College House. The annual discussion celebrates the legacy of scholar and activist W.E.B. Du Bois through faculty-led panels and student research roundtables moderated by faculty fellows.
The symposium intends to gather community members “to explore themes of race, justice, liberation, and the transformative power of knowledge”. This year’s theme — “Knowledge, Freedom & Healing in Changing Times” — encourages participants to reflect on how education, activism, and collective healing can help shape an equitable society.
RELATED:
Penn honors first Black architecture program graduate with dedication ceremony
Five Penn classes offered this semester that highlight Black history
Du Bois conducted most of his research, particularly his seminal work “The Philadelphia Negro,” at Penn during the 1890s. Penn has previously sponsored a lecture series devoted to his legacy.
Penn Press is also celebrating the month by promoting a collection of books and studies in African American history that they have released in the past five years, including titles from the Spring 2026 season.
On Feb. 6, the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts also hosted a discussion with photographer Leandre Jackson. The event, titled “Through the Lens of Black History,” was co-sponsored by Penn’s Greenfield Intercultural Center and led by 2004 College graduate Samir Meghelli.
Gutmann College House and College House at the Radian previously hosted a Black History Month dinner and game night. Harnwell College House also hosted a Feb. 6 event titled “We Thought You Knew… Black History Jeopardy” — where students celebrated over trivia and meals from Suya Suya and Sheba's Soul Plate.
RELATED:
Penn honors first Black architecture program graduate with dedication ceremony
Five Penn classes offered this semester that highlight Black history
Senior reporter Amy Liao covers clubs and societies and can be reached at liao@thedp.com. At Penn, she studies philosophy, politics, and economics. Follow her on X @amyliiao.
