In honor of Black History Month, SMCC is hosting a series of events that aim to pay tribute to the contributions and sacrifices made by Black Americans in shaping our country’s history. Since 1915, Black History Month has been observed each February to acknowledge the central role played by African Americans in the United States’ history. Since 1976, every U.S. President has officially designated February as Black History Month.

Student Activities and the College’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee have also planned a series of events and activities that run through the end of the month:

SCHEDULE OF SMCC EVENTS

Black History Month Trivia 

February 6, 6 p.m. Noisy Lounge

We are testing your knowledge of black history, culture, and icons tonight! The top three winners will receive a prize.

The Color Purple: Dinner & Discussion

February 21, 5 p.m., Noisy Lounge

Join us for a showing of The Color Purple, with dinner & a discussion to take place afterward! 

Karaoke Celebration! 

February 27, 6 p.m., Noisy Lounge

We welcome students to join us and sing their favorite songs by black artists to celebrate Black History Month! 

Blood Drive

February 28, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Noisy Lounge

Student Life is hosting the Red Cross to hold a blood drive on campus, with a special call out to donors who are black–help ensure blood is available to those with sickle cell disease when needed. Blood donations from individuals who are Black are urgently needed to help meet the needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Visit the American Red Cross website to learn more.

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Blood and platelet donations are needed now to help alleviate the shortage and ensure life-saving medical procedures are not delayed. We’re encouraging donors of all blood types to give with their whole hearts this month by scheduling and keeping their donation appointments.

Other Maine Black History Month Resources 

• Maine Historical Society
  • It’s A Family Affair – A Personal Conversation about Black History in Maine: The discussion explores Black History in Maine with panelists sharing their family’s history and experience in Maine dating back to the 18th century.
  • Nineteenth-Century Black Politics in Maine: Panel discussion on the critical history of Black politics in Maine. 
  • History of Black Fashion in Maine
• Maine Public
  • Maine Calling Radio: Maine’s Role in the Slave Trade
  • Black History in Maine – The Stories and Contributions of Maine’s Black Individuals and Communities
• VisitMaine: Portland Freedom Trail – The trail is a self-guided tour through Portland along the city’s oldest sections that take walkers to sites important to Maine’s African American history, specifically those dealing with 19th-century Black Mainers fighting against slavery. 
• Greater Portland Landmarks
  • Abyssinian Meeting House – The third oldest standing African American meeting house in the United States stands at 73 Newbury Street in Portland.
  • Portland Freedom Trail
• Visit Portland: Importance of Black History in Maine
• The Atlantic Black Box Project – “Through collaborative research, place-based education programs, digital humanities projects, events, and advocacy, The Atlantic Black Box Project seeks to engage the public in the collective rewriting of our regional history.”
• Resources for Diverse Entrepreneurs
• State of Maine DEI Resources