BACO hosts events for Black History Month 2023

February 6, 2023

Black Awareness Cultural Organization (BACO) is planning events for Black History Month for the Cornell College community.

BACO's board: Quelinda Matos-Joaquin (secretary), Henry Morray (vice president), Ani'ja Simmons (constitutional chair), Rachael Adewusi (president), Claire Gugerty (treasurer), and not pictured: Nellie Morf (public relations).
BACO’s board: Quelinda Matos-Joaquin (secretary), Henry Morray (vice president), Ani’ja Simmons (constitutional chair), Rachael Adewusi (president), Claire Gugerty (treasurer), and not pictured: Nellie Morf (public relations).

The group has been hard at work planning these events. This month is important for so many reasons.

“Black History Month is all about what makes Black people Black,” Adewusi said. “The good and the bad, we’re mostly taught about Black trauma, but recently the switch has gone to Black excellence and Black joy. We can look back and know that we have come a long way, while at the same time looking forward and realizing that there is still much work to be done. Regardless, this is a time for unity and togetherness because racism and prejudice affect all of us,” said BACO President Rachael Adewusi.

Events during Blocks 5 and 6 are for Cornell faculty, staff, and students.

Feb. 3: Adán Bean, a spoken word poet, performs, 7 p.m. on the Orange Carpet

In collaboration with Lyrically Inclined and PAAC, BACO will welcome Adán Bean to campus for a spoken word performance. According to his website, Adán Bean is an accomplished spoken word poet, emcee, storyteller, and voice-over talent hailing from the small town of Massillon, Ohio, but has called Atlanta home for over a decade.

Feb. 15: Symposium of Black Events, 6:30 p.m. on the Orange Carpet

This symposium will discuss Black history events that usually don’t get much attention. We want to focus more on Black excellence, instead of trauma. This will be done with a gallery of events that BACO believes focus on the great things that Black people have done. 

Feb. 17: Ask a POC Panel, 7 p.m. on the Orange Carpet

This is an annual event where brave students of color are willing to be transparent about views that they may have while others (white students and community members) are able to ask respectful questions, listen in, and learn someone else’s perspective about different races and cultural and social issues. 

Feb. 24: House Party with University of Iowa’s Black House, 7 p.m. on the Orange Carpet and the lounge in Zamora’s Market

This event is a celebration of everything Black. Everyone is welcome, including Black House from the University of Iowa. This will be a place to have fun and make new connections. There will be karaoke on the Orange Carpet.