February 1st marked the start of Black History Month, a time dedicated to the reflection of African American’s place in American history.

In the past, SMU has celebrated Black History Month with movie screenings, lectures and the Annual Black Excellence Ball put on by the Black Alumni of SMU and the Association of Black Students.

The Simmons school will hold the first major SMU endorsed event, as they will commemorate BHM Feb. 6 with an “evening of music and history.” Performer Pamela Bailey will sing historical music and faculty member Dr. Eric Bing will discuss the preservation vs. elimination of symbols of the South. The event will be held in the Owens Arts Center from 7-9 p.m.

In addition, the Association of Black Students will host a vendor fair on Feb. 16, at 2p.m. in the Hughes-Trigg student center, where black business owners will have the opportunity to promote their businesses to students. Later in the day, the Nu Lota Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority will hold Black Excellence in the real world, where a number of graduate school programs will be able to provide students with information on continuing their education and tips on success beyond college.

The month will be capped off by the Black Excellence Ball. This year’s ball, the fifth annual, is set to be held Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m in the Martha Proctor Mack Grand Ballroom at Umphrey Lee Center. The reception honors 2016 Black Alumni History Makers and celebrates the Association of Black Students Scholars. The reception will be followed by dinner and dancing.

The Association of Black Students will also hold a Super Bowl watch party Sunday, Feb. 7, and a Black History Game Night on Feb. 17. Additionally, they will screen movies pertaining to Black history every Friday at 6:30 in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center Atrium AB, followed by a discussion regarding the historical significance of the films.

SMU’s events celebrating Black History Month will be open to all students, regardless of race.

✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿#BlackHistoryMonth

— ABS @ SMU (@SMU_ABS) February 1, 2016