Black History at Albertus Magnus College
Celebrated in February to coincide with the births of two civil rights forefathers, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, nationally-recognized Black History Month carries particular and personal potency within the walls of Albertus Magnus College. Today, students identifying as Black or African American comprise 18.6% of our traditional undergraduate and 49.2% of our PGS adult undergraduate populations.
This academic year, Albertus celebrates the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and examines it through the lens of the Black Community. We encourage your participation in the events and activities listed below. Be sure to check out our ongoing blogs and social posts spotlighting renowned Black Albertus community members continually demonstrating #BlackExcellence in their work and lives.
We are all one - and if we don't know it, we will learn it the hard way.
Bayard Rustin
Black National Anthem
National Black Anthem – "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" – often referred to as the "Black National Anthem" – is a song written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938) in 1900 and set to music by his brother John Rosamond Johnson (1873–1954) in 1905.
Lift Every Voice and Sing" was publicly performed first as part of a celebration of Abraham Lincoln's birthday. In 1919, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) dubbed it "the Negro national anthem" for its power in voicing a cry for liberation and affirmation for African-American people.
The song is a prayer of thanksgiving for faithfulness and freedom, with imagery evoking the biblical Exodus from slavery to the freedom of the "promised land." It is featured in 39 different Christian hymnals, and is sung in churches, celebrations, schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States. Over the years, it has been performed and altered by various artists.
In 1939, Augusta Savage an African American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance was commissioned by the New York World’s fair to create a plaster sculpture called Lift Every Voice and Sing for the World’s Fair.
Black History Month 2025 Events
Community Mass
Dominican Ministries Feb. 2ndTime: 11:00AM
Location: St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Multi-Cultural Mass
Dominican Ministries Feb. 4thTime: 4:30PM
Location: St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Multi-Cultural Mass
Dominican Ministries Feb. 18thTime: 4:30PM
Location: St. Catherine of Siena Chapel
Black Faith: Prayer, Progress, and Prospects
Join Albertus Magnus College community for a live discussion of the Civil Rights Act throught the lens of the Black Faith Community.
Sponsored by the Office of the President Feb. 19thTime: 5:30PM
Location: Hubert Campus Center, Behan Community Room
Madness and Mayhem: Legal Disparities in Cases involving African Americans
Sponsored by Academic Affairs Feb. 26thTime: 11:00AM - 1:00PM
Location: Hubert Campus Center, Behan Community Room
CAB and SGA's Black History Month Celebration
The Albertus Community is invited to CAB and SGA's Black History Month Celebration. An evening filled with delicious food, trivia, temp tattoos, raffle prizes, and more.
Sponsored by CAB and SGA Feb. 26thTime: 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: Hubert Campus Center, Behan Community Room
All Month Events
Black Author Exhibit
Library & ITSLocation: Rosary Hall
Black American Saint Candidates
Dominican MinistiersLocation: Hubert Campus Center
Special thanks to the Office of College Events, Offices of Academic Affairs, BlackStudent Union (BSU), Student Affairs, Library and Information Technology Services (ITS), Marketing and Creative Services, Dominican Mission & Ministries, The Office of Career and Professional Development, and Tagiliatela School of Business and Leadership (TAG School)
Club/Organization Information
Black Student Union (BSU)
Multicultural Club (MCC)
Office of Career Development: Social Media Campaign (@albertuscareers)
Black Brilliance Blogs
Nickie Kollie ’22 Reflects on Her Path in Public Service
I am a first-generation Liberian-American, born and raised in Connecticut. I consider myself a Connecticut nomad. My formative years were split between Ansonia and West Haven, as I consider both towns to be my home. I had an unconventional upbringing which I am very proud of...
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Briona Jenkins ’12 Talks Self-Worth and Setting Boundaries
As a student at Albertus Magnus College, Briona “Bri” Jenkins couldn’t help but get involved in everything. The Hamden native played volleyball, served as a Resident Assistant, Student Orientation Leader, President of the Student Government Association, and...
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John Watts ‘13 Reminds Us that Kindness and Commitment Go a Long Way
John Watts ‘13 considers himself a lifelong learner. Now an esteemed criminal justice professional with 18 years in the industry, he admits his journey reaching this point in his career was not always smooth sailing.
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Chelsea Sherrod '16 (she/her). Meet a Boston sports journalist who is not afraid to network and be her authentic self.
After graduating from Albertus Magnus College, Chelsea began her career in Ryebrook,
New York as an operations technician. Within a few short years, she landed the gig
she calls a 'Godsend' -- a reporter/host for New England Sports Network (NESN).
Chelsea credits a great deal of her success to one Albertus professor who introduced
her to the industry.
Earl McCoy, Jr. ‘17 ‘18 is Raising the F.L.A.G. for Needed Networking Opportunities for BIPOC Students and Beyond
Private, Catholic institutions are no stranger to Earl McCoy, Jr. Before coming to Albertus, the Hamden native attended Notre Dame High School in West Haven, where he made meaningful connections with his teachers. These connections continue to serve him as he grows in his career.
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