Black History: Honoring the voices of yesterday, today and tomorrow
Across the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the words, voices and actions of members of our Black community shine bright.
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is proud to celebrate our Black community throughout the year and especially during Black History Month.
A campus with diverse views and experiences enriches campus life, academics, research, and innovation and provides a foundation for a welcoming environment where people from many backgrounds contribute invaluable perspectives.
University of Minnesota students, alumni, faculty and staff, in disciplines from library to health sciences and more, are making meaningful contributions to communities local and global. These are just a few of their stories.
‘A candle in the dark’: The Givens Collection of African-American Literature and Life
When John Wright was a freshman at the University of Minnesota in 1963, there were fewer than 100 Black students on a campus of thousands. African-American history was similarly missing in the classroom, but that wasn’t new to Wright. Throughout his K-12 education, he’d never been assigned a book by a Black writer.
“We were literally invisible in the curriculum,” says Wright.
Facing the absence of his history and culture in education, Wright — now professor emeritus — would become a leading figure in the founding of the Department of African American and African Studies, and would influence the trajectory of another young student, Davu Seru.
Today, Seru is curator of the Archie Givens Sr. Collection of African-American Literature and Life, the archive Wright helped bring to the University in the 1980s. The collection documents the cultural achievements and contributions of African Americans, containing more than 8,000 books that span over 250 years of American history.
Real men talk about health
For Mike Stratten, coordinator for University of Minnesota Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, Black men’s health is personal. His father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023. A year later, he was dead.
Stratten was shocked at how fast his “tough, mountain man” dad’s health had declined. Later, he understood that Stratten Sr. had likely been ill for years without seeing a doctor.
“The dominant narrative is that men don’t really go to the hospital,” says Stratten.
Today, Stratten is bringing a message of hope to the community. He just wrapped up a program where, in a series of small-group sessions, Stratten brought men together to talk candidly about their physical, emotional and mental health and how it impacts their relationships with themselves and others.
Grounded in purpose
Members of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Black community share how they discovered their niche in nature in the series “Grounded in Purpose.” From students to faculty and alumni, these individuals are advancing work to preserve and protect the planet.
Throughout the year and during Black History Month, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences celebrates the individuals and communities who continue to make Black history — in environmental science, entomology, water resources and beyond.
Black history with Gopher Athletics
Gopher Athletics will spotlight current student-athletes, staff, alumni and coaches each day over the course of Black History Month.
Along with a commemorative poster, Black History Month will be celebrated at a variety of games, while “Lift Every Voice” will also be played at these events.
From in-game features to social media posts, Gopher Athletics will honor its current and past history throughout February 2026.
Archiving and elevating Black college culture
A graduate of the College of Liberal Arts, Jonathan Rabb (BA ’10; global studies, German) is a digital innovator, cultural archivist and community builder whose work has transformed how Black Greek life and the Black college experience are represented online.
As founder and CEO of media company Watch The Yard, Rabb has created a platform that celebrates, preserves, and connects generations of Black college students and alumni across the United States. The digital platform is one of the largest dedicated to Black college culture, reaching up to 30 million people monthly.
“Every day, I tell stories that celebrate the traditions, creativity and excellence of Black students and alumni, stories that too often go undocumented,” says Rabb.
Creating community for Black faculty and staff
The University of Minnesota is built on values of dignity, inclusion and meaningful connection, and the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Black Faculty & Staff Association helps enhance those values by maintaining a well-connected community.
Spurred by the 1969 Morrill Hall takeover that resulted in the establishment of the Department of Afro-American Studies, the organization provides resources and opportunities for development. It’s free to join, and members can participate in gatherings, including an annual meet-and-greet breakfast and happy hours.
It is a particularly helpful organization for Black faculty and staff who come to the University from outside Minnesota and are trying to find connections on campus and throughout the Twin Cities.
Black History Month events
See a sampling of events taking place throughout Black History Month 2026 around the University of Minnesota. Some events are more specifically related to Black History Month, while others center around Black creators, student groups and organizations.