RUTHERFORD, NJ – This February 2023, Felician University’s Black Student Union will host a six-part series of student-focused events to celebrate Black History Month (BHM).

Following campus-wide surveys initiated by Felician’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Council (JEDI), the integration of student feedback has become a central focus for Felician’s diversity programming in 2023. This year, the Black Student Union has prepared an event series to celebrate Black History and Heritage throughout February, in line with the organization’s mission of empowerment and community engagement.

On February 6, Black History Month at Felician will kick off with a celebratory cake-cutting followed by a meet-and-greet with members of the Black Student Union.

On February 10, Blackout Day will engage the community as students across campus dress in black to commemorate and raise awareness of Black History Month.

February 14 – Valentine’s Day – Felician University will integrate the month’s third Black History event, a roundtable discussion moderated by local counseling professionals called “Love Is.”

The February 16 roundtable discussion titled “Know Ur Rights” will engage student attendees, staff, and a panel of local police to facilitate discussion on rights and safety. All Felician students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend.

“The diversity of our campus is an enormous strength for Felician, especially when our students collaborate to share their experiences to empathize and to educate one another,” said David Crawford, Graduate Senator for the Student Government Association at Felician. “We are especially excited for this year’s Black History Month programming, directly informed by the most important voices on our campus – the voices of students.”

Black History Month programming will conclude with three events designed for students to share their experiences. On Tuesday, February 21, “Check Your Privilege,” a student-led discussion, will facilitate individual conversations on privilege, power, and equity. “Cross the Line,” an interactive exercise led by a faculty moderator, will explore students’ differences and similarities across racial experience. Finally, on February 24, motivational speaker and Felician alum Quasan Lindsay will conclude Black History Month with a speech entitled “Fail to Success.”

Felician University proudly recognizes its national designation as a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI).

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About Felician University

Felician University inspires and engages more than 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Over the past five years, Felician University has ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. The Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Felician University was designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the ninth year recognizing its strong support for Veteran students. The university is recognized for its diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), having underrepresented students comprise more than half of the student population. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.