Millersville University has a month worth of events aimed at educating and celebrating Black Heritage Month, also known as Black History Month, which runs through the month of February.
“Black History Month is a month where we celebrate the history and present time of Black excellence,” said Imani Anderson, vice president for Millersville’s Black Student Union. “It’s a time where we take a step back and realize the work that has been done by our ancestors who fought hard for later generations. We are the products of a thriving community that continues to uplift us in struggle and celebration.”
Events, contests, educational training and more will be held virtually through several of Millersville’s departments.
Black Heritage Month celebration packages are available for faculty, staff and students by signing up through GetInvolved. The celebration packages are sponsored by the Rita Smith-Wade-El Intercultural Center. Self-care packages are being sponsored by the Center for Health Education and Promotion (CHEP) and can also be reserved through GetInvolved, but only a limited supply is available.

MU’s Office of Diversity and Social Justice is holding a student essay contest surrounding Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The contest, titled “Has the Dream Been Realized?” has a deadline of February 15.
Other events, taking place throughout the month, will be held virtually through Zoom and will feature open dialogue and guest speakers. Click here to see a full list of events on Millersville’s events calendar.

The roots of Black History Month dates back to 1926 when Carter G. Woodson proposed a national “Negro History Week,” which was intended to showcase everything students learned about Black history. It wasn’t until 1976 that Black History Month became a federally recognized celebration of the contributions African Americans have made to our country and a time to reflect on the continued struggle for racial justice.
Commemorative events at Millersville range from discussions on the impact of colorism within the Black Community, a Carter G. Woodson lecture presented by Dr. Deborah Gray White, how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the Black community, a three-part series on mental health practices and more.

Information on events sponsored by Women’s and Gender Studies including a lecture by Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, author of “Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria?” can be found here.
Millersville University is proud to celebrate and educate Black history and Black culture year-round. Listed below are resources at the University to amplify that commitment.
- Office of Diversity and Social Justice
- Office of Diversity and Social Justice Resource Guide
- Rita Smith-Wade-El Intercultural Center
- President’s Commission on Cultural Diversity & Inclusion
- President’s Commission on Gender & Sexual Diversity
- President’s Commission on the Status of Women
Millersville offers several academic fields of study related to Black Heritage Month:
- African American Studies (Minor)
- Latina/o Studies (Minor)
- Women’s and Gender Studies
- Applied Disability Studies
Additional resources to support our commitment to diversity and inclusion can be found below:
- Color of Teaching
- Charting the Course Athletic Blog
- Bridge the Gap 1st Year Students of Color Orientation
- Latina/o Student Leadership Institute
- Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion New Employee Orientation
- Social Justice Collective for Educators
- Concerned Men of Millersville
- Concerned Women of Millersville
- Scholars Program
- Negating Hate Digital Quilt
- Inclusive Excellence Spotlight
- The Anti-Racist Library Resource Display
- Center for Health, Education and Promotion (CHEP)
- Student Access and Support Services (SASS)
- Anti-Racism Resources – available from Francine G. McNairy Library & Learning Forum
- Retention Initiatives
Finally, MU awards students and programs who provide leadership in the fields of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice:
- Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Individual Award)
- Leadership in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (Program Award)
- Social Justice Enchaining a Social Justice Community Award