This year’s observance comes during a period in the U.S. when the Department of Defense has declared that “identity months” are “dead at the DoD.” Some universities are also rethinking their Black History Month programming to comply with President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders related to diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as other, more localized legislative actions.

At Weber State University, Bryan Magaña, the school’s public relations director, says that while the planning and funding for Black History Month events has changed amid the 2024 passing of House Bill 261, or the “Equal Opportunity Initiatives,” in Utah, the programming goals remain largely the same.

“There have always been supporters and skeptics when it comes to national observances, but at Weber State, Black History Month tends to focus on what brings us together and what we can learn from each other,” Magaña explained in an email to the Standard-Examiner.

Per Magaña, the institution has a rubric “to help determine what aligns and doesn’t align with the new law.” However, students and community members have stepped in to pick up the resulting slack.

“Where Weber State as an institution is more limited, student clubs and community organizations have a lot more flexibility, so they’ve really stepped up this year to get involved with planning and bringing their own events to life,” Magaña wrote. “It’s been great to see them uphold the traditions that mean the most to them.”

This year, WSU’s Black History Month observance theme is “The Global Tapestry of Black Culture.” The festivities kicked off at the Shepherd Union building on Monday with a drumming performance by Milandou Sita and a flag display by the Weber State African Student Union. That was followed by a “Taste of the Diaspora” event on Thursday.

Events are free and open to all campus and community members. Here’s the slate for the remainder of the month:

• “Let’s Talk Black Hair” — Monday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Shepherd Union 320: A panel discussion about the misconceptions and beauty of natural hairstyles. What are protective hairstyles? How is natural hair portrayed in the media and the workplace? Panelists will discuss the importance of embracing natural hair and hair diversity. Food will be provided.
• “Strands of Strength” — Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Shepherd Union Ballroom C: Students can come get free haircuts from the Black-owned, Ogden-based barbershop, Blades Up. There also will be braiders doing cornrow styles for students.
• “Wellness Within: Tools for Healing and Growth” — Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Shepherd Union 320: A mental health panel including Focal Point Utah co-founder Stormey Nielsen, Gregory Noel from Two Brothas Counseling and Dr. Sherrá Watkins, the University of Utah’s associate vice president for Student Health and Wellness. Food will be provided.
• “The Power of Slowing Down” — Feb. 19, 9 to 10 a.m. at the Shepherd Union Skyroom (404A): A free yoga session and invite to “slow down.” Eddie Baxter, a licensed clinical social worker at WSU, will be the featured speaker. Light refreshments will be served.
• Keynote: Derrick Brooms — Feb. 19, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Shepherd Union Wildcat Theatre (208): Brooms serves as the executive director of the Black Men Research Institute at Moorehouse. Food will be provided.
• “Game Recognize Game” — Feb. 19, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Shepherd Union 321: Games, including spades, UNO and 10,000. Food will be provided.
• Workshop with Derrick Brooms — Feb. 20, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Shepherd Union Skyroom (404B): Join Derrick Brooms in conversation. Food will be provided.
• Keynote: James Jackson, Utah Black Chamber of Commerce — Feb. 24, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Stewart Library’s Hetzel-Hoellein Room: Speaker James Jackson III, founder of the Utah Black Chamber and author of “Black Utah: Stories from a Thriving Community.” Food will be provided.
• Keynote: Sybrina Fulton, “From Pain to Purpose: The Time is Now to Own Democracy” — Feb. 26, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Shepherd Union Skyroom (404): Fulton, the mother of the late Trayvon Martin, has dedicated her life “to transforming family tragedy into social change,” according to the WSU’s website.
• Black Excellence Gala — Feb. 27, 5 to 8 p.m. at Shepherd Union 313B: A gala to acknowledge the successes of the Black community from the past and present. There will be music, food, dance performances and more. Business casual or formal dress.

Event times and locations are subject to change. Go to https://www.weber.edu/student-success-center/black-history-month.html/ for more info and schedule updates.

“It’s important to remember that National Black History Month has been recognized for half a century,” Magaña said of the commemorative month. “Every U.S. president from Ford to Trump has dedicated the month of February to honoring the legacy of Black Americans who shaped our nation’s history. This year, as in years past, members of the Weber State community are doing that.”