What’s in Store for Black History Month at AUP?
This February marks the 100th anniversary of Black History celebrations in the United States and 50 years since the entire month has been dedicated to honoring the Black Americans who built the US. Across the US, events centered on promoting and preserving Black American history and culture through art installations, community programs, history exhibitions, and concerts are taking place. Paris -- and the American University of Paris -- are no exception to these celebrations. I got the opportunity to sit down with the Black and Abroad executive board to discuss what they have planned for this month.
Ariana Polk, President of Black and Abroad, and Janelle Thomas, Co-Vice President and Treasurer of Black and Abroad, are third-year students at AUP and took over the club this past fall. Their mission: to create a safe and inclusive social space for students of the Black diaspora at AUP, hosting educational and fun events to build a community outside the classroom. In addition, they have hosted events to raise awareness and educate the general AUP community. As part of this mission, they have planned a month-long series of events in February in honor of Black History Month, starting February 3rd.
For Polk and Thomas, hosting events for this month at AUP is absolutely necessary, not only because of its importance in the US but also to bring awareness to the international student body to what Polk describes as “the positives and negatives of being Black anywhere.” It’s an opportunity to shine an extra spotlight on how positive and community-based their club is, and highlight the interconnectedness of the Black Diaspora all year long. “We want to show the importance of highlighting the people who came before us, their amazing greatness, and what they’ve done to lead us here,” said Polk.
Despite AUP advertising its diversity, there is definitely a disparity in diversity between nationality and race or ethnicity. While at the university, Polk described a feeling of “having to tone down” her Blackness. Thomas explained the difficulties of finding community and described the overall daunting feelings when she arrived. It's these emotions that motivated both of them to get involved with Black and Abroad, working towards building the club's presence on campus.
As the Black community on campus grows, Polk and Thomas recognize the importance of being dedicated to creating this space for current and future students of color. This experience has also reimagined what it means to celebrate their identities and Black American culture in an international setting away from their communities. “Being international allows us to bring that Black American culture to people who may not have grown up around that or who may not know about it,” said Polk. Thomas added that it has given her the opportunity to learn more about the Black Diaspora and other cultures. “It's a really well-rounded Black History Month here, I think we're doing it internationally,” said Thomas.
With this in mind, the Black and Abroad executive team started their celebration with a two-day collaboration with Casita, the AUP Cultural Organization for Latin Americans. The first event was an informational mixer centered on African Roots in Latin America, specifically in Dance. The event took place on February 3rd and included a series of informational videos on the history of African music and dance in signature Latin dances, like Salsa and Samba. Catering from Haitian Mama was served, and the evening ended with dancing. The following day, the boards of both clubs took students to La Felicità for a Salsa dance social. “As an Afro-latina, I believe that it is important to learn and highlight the history of our culture,” said Yamilett Suarez, Casita Co-President.
The following week, on Feb. 12, they will be hosting Melanin in Bloom, a bouquet-making event that combines Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, and is a tradition in the club's history. Their most anticipated and biggest event is their Black History Month Student Showcase taking place on February 17th in the Montessuy Building. Students, professors, and individuals from the greater AUP and Paris community are invited to come watch what Thomas describes as a “display of Black excellence.” It's a space where Black students can show off their talents, like singing or dancing, or present poetry relating to Blackness.
Polk and Thomas want to remind the Black AUP community that they are always there to provide any support, and the club can act as the first step towards finding great people to be in community with in and outside of the club. Faculty of the AUP community have also planned events to celebrate Black History Month. The AUP Library is hosting acclaimed trumpeter Hermon Mahari on Friday, February 13th, to discuss the “living legacy of Black American Jazz.” In the Fine Arts Gallery of the Combes Lobby, AUP presents the work of Cameroonian artist Wilfred Nakeu and his exhibition À Corps Rituels/Ritual Bodies from January 22nd to February 20th. In addition, on February 18th, in the atrium, Nakeu returned to give a performance.
This is not the first time the Fine Arts Gallery has presented an exhibit in honor of Black History Month. In February 2024, the AUP Fine Arts Department collaborated with AUP Alum Aalyiah Heath, founder of Popout Together, a non-profit creative collective. Heath curated the work of Black artists across the diaspora and in Paris, including an AUP Alum Donatella Jackson. “It was such a meaningful experience not only for the community, our featured artist, but also for me as a curator. Being an alum of AUP made that moment quite special. To showcase Blackness across the globe, in another place I call home - priceless,” said Heath.
Polk and Thomas encourage students of color to explore beyond the AUP bubble and connect with the large Black Diaspora in Paris, like attending a Popout Together event. The Fondation de États-Unis is hosting a series of exhibitions, like People of Cities: Detroit x Paris, and concerts to celebrate Black History Month. Maison Noire Américaine is a non-profit founded by Robin Bates and Constance Ryan to share Black Americans and Black Diaspora experience in France. Additionally, Entrée to Black Paris provides virtual and guided tours on exploring the City of Lights through the history of the Black Diaspora, and a guide on sites to see. The board members personally recommended Waly-Fay, a restaurant of West African cuisine, Sape Bar, Le Marché Afro-Caribéen, and clubs like Wanderlust, Jangal and Zsongo Club.
For the rest of the semester, the board has planned a series of social and casual events, including a field trip, and hopes to see the entire Black AUP community coming together. There will be an event once or twice a month, so everyone can get to know each other. “I don’t think people realize how much they would benefit from coming and being in that space. It's so fun, and things flow naturally,” said Polk. The board hopes that those cultural aspects and the community that they miss so much can be found at Black and Abroad.
