Black Student Union Plans for Celebratory February

Linfield University will host a series of events in celebration of Black History Month, Feb. 2-25. All events are organized by the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The activities will culminate in the BSU's first-ever Black Wall Street, a festival for Black-owned clothing designers, artists, craftspeople and restaurateurs to promote and sell their goods on Linfield's McMinnville campus. Black Wall Street is slated for 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25. A concert featuring Portland-based rappers Donte Thomas and Bocha will cap the event.

“The events we have scheduled for Black History Month are part of reaffirming the presence of the Black Student Union at Linfield," said Ray-Ray Crain, president of the Wildcat BSU. "By shining a spotlight on Black brilliance and Black excellence, we draw attention to its importance in the community as a whole."

Crain and Abby Thomas, Linfield's director of diversity, equity and inclusion, are highlighting Linfield's own Black leaders and inviting other visionary Black entrepreneurs to join the conversation in-person and virtually.

Other Black History Month events include:

Friday, Feb. 11, noon, Zoom. – “Paths to Success: The story behind the scenes of Black excellence.” A virtual WildX talk with special guests Marcus Johnson, an American jazz musician, producer and entrepreneur; Rayshad Kizer, head coach of the Massachusetts Pirates indoor football team; and Jonathan Charles, director of football operations for the Massachusetts Pirates.
Friday, Feb. 18, Fred Meyer Lounge - Paint & Sip. An interactive painting.

The Black History Month line-up is only part of Crain's plans for the BSU at Linfield. "The BSU is growing and committed to being a visible part of the Linfield community.