This February marks the centennial of the formal recognition of Black history in the United
States. Historian Carter G. Woodson founded “Negro History Week” the week of February 7, 1926, as a move to formally recognize Black history in education — expanding into what we now know as Black History Month. At Puget Sound, we observe this milestone to celebrate the profound contributions, rich cultures, and resilient legacy of African American communities — both across the nation and within our own university. In celebrating these milestones, we honor the countless contributions of Black Americans to the progress of this nation in spite of recent attempts by socio-political forces to negate those contributions and erase important elements of our history. This month is not only a time for reflection, but also a call to ensure these stories remain centered and undisputed.
The Puget Sound campus community is invited to explore literature, art, music, and film that
illuminate Black history and culture, and connect with peers, colleagues, and friends to discuss
ongoing efforts toward racial justice and equity. Let us continue striving to carry these lessons
into our daily lives and actions.
Events honoring Black History Month include:
Loggers Since 1965: A Conversation about the Black Athlete Experience with Louis Smith ‘69, Presented by African American Studies
Thursday, Feb. 19, 7–8 p.m. in Schneebeck Concert Hall
An intimate conversation with Louis Smith ’69, exploring his experience as one of the first Black student-athletes at Puget Sound during the Civil Rights Era of the 1960s. The interview will be conducted by Donovan Wilson ’22 and will shed light on an important part of our campus History. Entry is free to this event.
For those who cannot attend in person, you can join remotely on Schneebeck Live at 7 p.m. PT: pugetsound.edu/academics/music/schneebeck-live
Keynote Address with Dr. Joy DeGruy: Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS), Presented by African American Studies, ASUPS Lectures, and the Race and Pedagogy Institute
Wednesday, Feb. 25, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at Kilworth Memorial Chapel
To close out Black History Month, African American Studies is proud to host nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator, Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy, on the Puget Sound campus. Dr. DeGruy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW), a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, and a PhD in Social Work Research. She authored the book entitled “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing”, which addresses the residual impacts of trauma on African Descendants in the Americas. Her talk will address Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS), and how it lays the groundwork for understanding how the past has influenced the present, opening up the discussion of how we can eliminate non-productive attitudes, beliefs and behaviors developed to cope and survive the traumatic periods of capture, transport, enslavement, Jim Crow, and current day racial terrorism.
A book signing with Dr. DeGruy will immediately follow the event in the basement level of Kilworth from 7:30-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
Doors open at 6 p.m.; Event starts at 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.
The event is in partnership with African American Studies, ASUPS Lectures, and the Race and Pedagogy Institute. Special thanks to the Puget Sound Bookstore for providing book sales on-site before and after the conclusion of the event.
