Dr. Moogega “Moo” Cooper, an astronomer and lead planetary protection engineer for NASA’s Mars 2020, heads up a series of events that will be held at UNC Pembroke in February to honor Black History Month.

Black History Month, celebrated annually in February, recognizes the history, culture, achievements and contributions of African Americans and their role in U.S. history. The celebration was designed to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass and was known as Negro History Week. Due to the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s and increased awareness of the importance of African American history, the celebration expanded to a full month in the United States by the 1970s.

The Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity and the Black History Month Committee at UNC Pembroke are excited to announce the following events for Black History Month. 

February 16

• A sampling of African American foods will be served in the dining hall in the Chavis Student Center from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

February 17

• Watch the film “Hidden Figures” at 6 p.m. in Chavis Student Center, Room 251. The film tells the story of three brilliant African American women at NASA––Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson––who served as the brains behind the 1962 launch of astronaut John Glenn––the first American to orbit the Earth. Admission is free. Sponsored by the Chemistry & Physics Club and Campus Engagement & Leadership.

February 20

• The Black Student Union will host a fundraiser in the Chavis Student Center mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to support the organization and its programming efforts.

February 21

• Join us for a conversation about the Black queer experience, where students who identify as Black/African American and members/allies of the LBGTQ+ community share their stories and experiences during a student-led roundtable with respectful dialogue. The event will be held in Chavis Student Center, Room 233, from 5-6 p.m.
• The Distinguished Speaker Series presents Dr. Moogega “Moo” Cooper, an astronomer and lead planetary protection engineer for NASA’s Mars 2020. Dr. Cooper is responsible for protecting the red planet from Earth’s contaminants. She has received numerous awards, including the NASA Early Career Public Achievement Medal and JPL Voyager Awards for Technical Leadership. She has appeared on the TV series King of the Nerds, Bill Nye Saves the World, and the current series How the Universe Works on Discovery. Dr. Cooper will conduct a fireside-chat-style interview with UNCP physics professor Dr. Quinton Rice. Join us at 7 p.m. at Upchurch Auditorium in James A. Thomas Hall. Admission is free for students with a UNCP ID and $10 for the general public. For tickets, call 910.521.6482. Dr. Cooper’s visit is presented by Campus Engagement & Leadership and co-sponsored by the Chemistry & Physics Department.

February 22

• The Black Student Union will host a fundraiser in the Chavis Student Center mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to support the organization and its programming efforts.

February 23

• The second annual Black Culture Fest will be held in the University Center Annex from 12-1:30 p.m. Come enjoy and learn more about Black food, music, poetry, and other aspects of Black history and culture. Sponsored by the Black Student Union and the Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity.
• The film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will be shown in the University Center Annex from 6 to 8:15 p.m. Admission is free. Sponsored by Pembroke Activities Council (PAC).

February 27

• Join us for “Crown Your Curls,” a discussion of Black hair care at 1 p.m. in the University Center Annex. Free hair care products will be available in limited supply for event attendees.

For more information about Black History Month and other diversity awareness programming at UNC Pembroke, please visit BraveConnect or contact the Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity at 910.521.6508 or osid@uncp.edu.

The Office of Student Inclusion & Diversity (OSID) is committed to advancing equity and inclusion for all community members through intercultural engagement, social justice initiatives, education and student-centered programming. OSID is a department within the Division of Student Affairs. To learn more, follow the department on social media @inclusiveUNCP or visit uncp.edu/osid.