SALT LAKE CITY — February is Black History Month, and Utah's universities and other organizations are hosting a range of activities focused on the population but open to all.

"I hope people realize that Black History Month is not just for Black students," said Brandon Flores, executive director of the Student Success Center at Weber State University in Ogden, which is hosting talks and other events. "Black History Month is for everybody."

Utah's Black population may be small, just 2.1% of the state's population in 2023, but there's plenty going on. Some activities have already occurred, but here's a sampling of some things to come, starting with the University of Utah:

• The university is hosting a panel discussion on Wednesday, Feb. 12, "The Power of the Divine Nine," focused on historically Black university fraternities and sororities. It goes from 6-8 p.m. at the Henriksen Room at the Cleone Peterson Eccles Alumni House on the U. campus.
• The U.'s School of Dance will offer several performances of ANEW, created to honor Black dancers, choreographers, students and artists, from Thursday through Feb. 22 at the Marriott Center for Dance.
• A workshop and panel discussion focused on hair is set for Feb. 20 from 12-1 p.m. at the U.'s Union East Ballroom. Participants will be "celebrating the history and cultural significance of Black hair, featuring professional locticians from our local community."

Weber State University is focusing on a different theme each week of Black History Month. Here are some of the coming events:

• On Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., students can get free haircuts and braids courtesy of a Black-owned barbershop, Ogden-based Blades Up. Braiders will be doing cornrows for students, which "are significant and represent a deep connection to Black history: They were used as coded messaging on the Underground Railroad."
• A group of mental health professionals will take part in a panel discussion, "Black Wellness: Health, Healing and Resilience," on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Room 320 in Shepherd Union.
• Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin, who was killed in a violent confrontation that garnered national headlines in 2012, will offer a talk, "From Pain to Purpose: The Time is Now to Own Democracy." It's set for Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m. in the Skyroom, Room 404, at Shepherd Union. "As a mother, she inspires audiences to continuously educate their children about civil rights and to help them feel accepted as part of an ever changing society," reads a university preview of the event.

Salt Lake Community College's activities launched with a kickoff last week. Here are some of the activities to come:

• The Black Student Union is hosting a poetry slam on Wednesday, Feb. 12 from noon-2 p.m. at the Oak Room at the Student Event Center on the Taylorsville campus. "The event aims to showcase Black culture through Black literature. Open to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, the Poetry Slam features volunteers reading written works, traditionally poetry, the only rule is that the writing must be from a Black artist," reads a blurb about the event.
• A Black Business Pop-Up Shop is set for Thursday, Feb. 20 from noon-4 p.m. at the Student Event Center, showcasing the ventures of local Black business operators. "The goal of the event is to give back to those businesses by encouraging support through purchases, increasing visibility, and fostering community engagement," reads a description of the event.

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The city of Millcreek's Millcreek Common is hosting a slate of events and exhibits:

• A display focused on Black military veterans in Utah, curated by the Sema Hadithi African American Heritage and Culture Foundation, goes from Feb. 17-23.
• The 40-minute 1944 U.S. War Department film "The Black Soldier" will be shown on Friday, Feb. 21 starting at 7 p.m. followed by a discussion led by three Black veterans.
• Sema Hadithi will host a panel discussion on Buffalo soldiers, those who served in all-Black military regiments, on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 1-3 p.m.

Among other activities:

• The Salt Lake Film Society is hosting Presenting Black Cinema, a film series spotlighting Black cinema. It opened Sunday, with coming features including "Basquiat" on Sunday, Feb. 9, "The Annihilation of Fish" on Sunday, Feb. 16 and "Sing Sing" on Sunday, Feb. 23.
• Path Forward Utah, formed with the aim of "uplifting conservative, minority voices" in Utah, is hosting an event, "Resilience and Excellence," on Friday, Feb. 28 from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, 2430 N. Fairfield Road in Layton. U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, and Pastor Ron Williams will be among the speakers.

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