There will be performances throughout February by Sacramento/Black Art of Dance. (Sacramento State/Craig Koscho)

Sacramento State’s joyous celebration of Black History Month will fill February with a full slate of exciting, educational, and inspiring events.

One of the most anticipated is the Feb. 25 talk by President Barack Obama’s maternal half-sister Maya Soetoro-Ng, who is a faculty specialist with the Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She’ll explore the ideas of leadership and conflict resolution during her presentation at the Harper Alumni Center.

“Black History Month is a reaffirmation of our collective history, the strength of our diversity, and our recognition that differences do not translate into inferiority or superiority but indicate efficacy,” says Boatamo Mosupyoe, chair of Sacramento State’s Ethnic Studies Department and director of the University’s Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program.

Another highlight, on Feb. 28, is Super Sunday, an outreach partnership event with local churches to increase college-going rates among African American students.

In addition, the month will feature dance performances (including Sacramento/Black Art of Dance’s spring show), along with music, film, food, and much, much more.

“Black History Month provides for the celebration of culture to enrich lives and improve upon the well-being of all to foster excellence and understanding, and to celebrate our rich diversity, which makes us strong,” says Marcellene Watson-Derbigny, associate vice president for Student Retention and Academic Success.

Except where noted, the University’s Black History Month events are free. Most are open to the public.

Black History Month Kickoff Luncheon, noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at the University Union Ballroom. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. This event is open to the campus community. RSVP to SASEEP-01@csus.edu.

“Power on Earth,” a one-man show celebrating prominent African Americans, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the University Union Ballroom. Sponsored by UNIQUE Programs.

“Family Feud: A Black History Month Gathering,” 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, at the University Union, Redwood Room. Sponsored by the Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program.

MLK Jr. Center Week Kickoff Potluck, noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, in Lassen Hall 2201. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

“Black Is Beautiful,” 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at the University Union, Folsom Room. Sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

Black Graduate Student Panel, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the University Union, Hinde Auditorium. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

“Diaspora in Motion: Afro-Caribbean Dance,” 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at The WELL, Rubicon Studio. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

“Re-imagining Black Masculinity: A Panel Discussion,” 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, in Mendocino Hall 1003. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

Black Jeopardy, 7:15 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, at the University Union, Forest Suite. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and the Black Student Union.

Carter G. Woodson lecture, noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the University Union, Orchard Suite.

College Survival & Health Tips, 7:15 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the University Union, Folsom Room. Learn how to improve health and wellness as a college student. Sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.

Panther (1995), 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Multi-Cultural Center. Mario Van Peebles directed this dramatized account of the legendary Black Panther Party. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

“Ancestral Voices,” the Sacramento/Black Art of Dance (S/BAD) spring concert, which honors the special ancestors who influenced the eight choreographers and 36 dancers. Performances are at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 18, Feb. 24-25; 8 p.m. Feb. 19, Feb. 20, and Feb. 26-27; and 2 p.m. Feb. 21 and Feb. 28, all in Solano Hall 1010 Dancespace. Admission is $5-$12. Purchase tickets at www.csus.edu/hornettickets or (916) 278-4323. For more information, call (916) 278-6368.

Equity and Diversity Symposium & Forum, noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, at the University Union Ballroom. The theme is “Race and You: Unifying Ourselves to Achieve the Common Good.” Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

J THE SAINT & FRIENDS gospel jam, noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the University Union, Redwood Room. Sponsored by UNIQUE Programs.

Maya Soetoro-Ng, President Obama’s half-sister, speaking on “Leadership and Conflict Resolution,” 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at the Leslie & Anita Harper Alumni Center. Sponsored by the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program.

“Honoring Africa,” 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at the University Union, Foothill Suite. Sponsored by the African Student Association.

Super Sunday, Sunday, Feb. 28. Super Sunday is a part of the California State University’s African American Initiative to improve college preparation and graduation rates. Local participating churches to be announced.

Black Dollar Forum, 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, at the University Union, Delta Room. Sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

“Black and Blue: Supporting Black Friends and Loved Ones Through Communal Trauma,” 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Multi-Cultural Center. Sponsored by the Multi-Cultural Center.

Black Convocation, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at The WELL, Terrace Suite. The theme is “Shifting the Black Agenda: Cultivating Intersectionality, Solidarity and Collective Power.” The event will meld the importance of community and unity across all sectors of people to advance change. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.

For more about Black History Month, go to http://bit.ly/1PFRRxp. – Dixie Reid