The Paul Robeson Cultural Center is excited for an inspiring month with various events hosted by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Black Student Organizations, and other Rutgers University Departments.
The 2025 National Black History Month theme is African Americans and Labor
“The 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans, and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people. Indeed, work is at the very center of much of Black history and culture. Be it the traditional agricultural labor of enslaved Africans that fed Low Country colonies, debates among Black educators on the importance of vocational training, self-help strategies, and entrepreneurship in Black communities, or organized labor’s role in fighting both economic and social injustice, Black people’s work has been transformational throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora. The 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” sets out to highlight and celebrate the potent impact of this work.” Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
As we reflect on this year's theme, we hope you can explore the legacy of race and labor in America. Throughout our history, men and women have died in the fight for racially inclusive economic justice. From A. Philip Randolph, who fought for 12 years to gain recognition of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters by the Pullman Car Company, the American Federation of Labor (AFL), and the U.S. government to New Jersey native Chris Smalls, who began organizing in 2020 for the establishment of the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), African-American’s have been at the forefront of these movements.
Featured Events
Black Student Union - Opening Ceremony
Sunday, Feb. 2nd - 6 PM
Opening Ceremony aims to bring in Black History Month by celebrating the Harlem Renaissance, showcasing its profound cultural impact. With performances and student choice awards, we aim to promote unity and highlight the significance of this pivotal era in Black history. View Event
PRCC Presents Hot Breakfast & Black Cartoons
Every Wednesday in Feb. - 9:30 AM
Join the Paul Robeson Cultural Center every Wednesday during the month of February from 9:30am until supplies last for a free hot breakfast in homage to the Black Panther Party. View Event
Zimmerli SparkNight
Thursday, Feb. 6th - 5:00 PM
SparkNight is the free art party at the Zimmerli, inviting everyone of all ages to explore art, engage their creativity, and have fun! Celebrate Black History Month with performances, music, artmaking, and pop-up tours. Free and open to the public. Complimentary light refreshments. Food available for purchase from food truck outside the Zimmerli. View Event
Understanding Racial Trauma: A Conversation with the authors of Racial Trauma in Black Clients: Effective Practice for Clinicians
Thursday, Feb. 27th - 5:00 PM
Join authors Drs. Jennifer Jones-Damis and Kelly Moore as they highlight key aspects of racial trauma and its impact on Black Students. Refreshments will be provided and book signing. View Event
Insurgent Intersections: Healing from Global Anti-Blackness Symposium
Friday, Feb. 28th - 5:00 PM
The "Healing from Global Anti-Blackness" symposium invites scholars, students, activists, artists, and community members to take part in a full-day event focused on topics including ancestral practices of healing from anti-Blackness, creating spaces and practices of healing rooted in Black experience, and black joy and black futures. View Event
