February is Black History Month, and this week is all about Black Empowerment on MSU’s campus and within Student Life & Engagement. 
 
BSA Hosts Black Empowerment Week
The Black Students’ Alliance (BSA) kicked off Black Empowerment Week Saturday evening with a special Black Empowerment Festival. A collaboration with the University Activities Board (UAB), the focus of the event held at the MSU Union was Black Healing. The event celebrated wellness, healing and self-care heading into the weekend before midterms. Breakout activities included therapy dogs, painting with a twist, skin care sessions and mindfulness rooms to go along with giveaways and food.

Events like Family Feud Night in the International Center helped BSA and attendees both learn and celebrate the many intricacies of Black culture, while the Black Alumni Networking Event held Tuesday evening in the STEM Building brought alumni and undergrads together for intergenerational connection and discourse — something important to the Spartan experience. 

Looking ahead for BSA is another collaborative event Thursday evening. “HERstory” teams BSA up with UAB and the Successful Black Women student group in the MSU Union Lake Huron Room. Empowerment, networking skills and social relationships are the focus of the event, which will feature guest speakers and presentations, as well as games and other activities. Food will be provided. Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. 

For the week, BSA is sponsoring a clothing drive with the Lansing City Rescue Mission. Each event has hosted and will continue to host drop-offs of gently used or new winter essentials, pajamas, sports bras, socks, new underwear, undershirts and other appropriate clothing. 

OCAT Hosts Black Male Initiative Relaunch
Meanwhile, the Office of Cultural and Academic Transitions (OCAT) relaunched the Black Male Initiative with a week of special programming. The week kicked off with a Black Male Support Group event Monday for all Black men and masculine-identifying students.
 
Tuesday evening saw a dodgeball tournament at the IM Circle for participants to healthily enjoy a little physical activity. With midterms in full swing, the group will hold a study session at the MSU Library Wednesday evening, focused on ease and comfort. 

To finish off the week, the Black Male Initiative is hosting the 2024 Black Male Summit Luncheon with MSU Athletics. Meant to help gear students toward success, the event will be held at the MOSAIC in the MSU Union from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A QR code on OCAT’s Instagram post about the week can be used to RSVP for the luncheon.