Library Exhibit Highlights Black Aesthetic and History

  • Library Dean Mark Stover

    Delmar T. Oviatt Library Dean Mark Stover welcomes attendees to the opening reception for the Black History Month exhibit, “Historicizing and Contemporizing the Black Aesthetic: Keeping the Legacy Alive.” The exhibit will be on display in the library's second floor gallery through April 29. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • African-American newspaper

    The CSUN chapter of the NABJ-Student Association of Black Communicators and the Black Alumni Association collaborated on a display of the first independent student newspaper targeted at the university's African-American community. The publication, Nguzo Saba was launched in 1989 and was in circulation for five years. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Tom Bradley and Muhammad Ali

    Legendary Mayor Tom Bradley and Muhammad Ali play box during a football game in Los Angeles in 1973. The photo is part of the Tom & Ethel Bradley Center at CSUN photo collection. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • man at exhibit

    The CSUN community packed the Oviatt library gallery on Feb. 10 during the opening reception for the Black History Month exhibit. Some of the items on display include posters from the Men of Color Enquiry and Student Research Posters presentation. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • photos

    A collection of photos and articles about the Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), which was etablished at CSUN in 1969 and aims to serve historically low-income, underrepresented, first-generation college students by providing them with access to the university and holistic academic services and support. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • doll

    A 1960s beaded Zulu Doll. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • photos of African-Americans

    Photos of African-Americans from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s during a variety of community activities. The photos are part of the Tom & Ethel Bradley Center at CSUN, which is working to preserve the visual history of Southern California's black community. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • sigma gamma rho memorabilia

    Memorabilia from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., one of the Black Greek-Letter organizations (BGLOs) at CSUN. There are nine historically BGLOs that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Collectively, these organizations are referred to as "The Divine Nine." Each of these fraternities and sororities have a rich history of community service. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • linen skirt

    A 1950s linen skirt inspired by dancer and activist Josephine Baker. The skirt is one of several vintage clothing items provided by Esther Gingberg of Golyester Vintage Clothing in Los Angeles. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • student leaders

    Co-curator Theresa White of the Department of Africana Studies poses with some of the student leaders who helped to organize the exhibit. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

A vintage Cleopatra playsuit dress, photos of legendary Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and copies of the first independent black student newspaper at California State University, Northridge are among the cultural artifacts on display in CSUN’s Delmar T. Oviatt Library Exhibit Gallery.

The exhibit, which is titled “Historicizing and Contemporizing the Black Aesthetic: Keeping the Legacy Alive,” was organized as part of the CSUN’s celebration of Black History Month. It will be on display in the second floor, west wing gallery through April 29.

“The exhibit offers a glimpse into elements of black history in fashion, art, print and social and political organizations,” said Theresa White, co-curator and professor in the Department of Africana Studies. “It invites viewers to celebrate the history of what black people have done in the past and are doing today.”

Library Dean Mark Stover said the exhibit helps “bring history to life.”

“It helps us to imagine what life was like back in the day,” said Stover at the exhibit’s opening reception on Feb. 10. The reception included comments from some of the exhibitors, a retrospective on the meaning of Black History Month, a spoken word presentation and a “runway” show highlighting natural hairstyles.

The exhibit features several vintage fashion items including jewelry worn by celebrated dancer and singer Josephine Baker, a Negro Baseball League jacket and a 1970s shirt with images of leaders of the Black Liberation Party. In addition, there are photos and newspaper articles about the founding of the Educational Opportunity Programs and the Departments of Africana and Chicana/o Studies; and memorabilia from the Black Student Union, NABJ-Student Association of Black Communicators and several of the Black Greek-Letter Organizations at CSUN.

“All these artifacts represent a time in history in which African Americans thrived, struggled and created with minimal means,” said Cedric Hackett, co-curator and professor of Africana Studies. He said the exhibit is helping to “keep the legacy alive.”

For more information about CSUN’s Black History Month celebration, contact the Department of Africana Studies at (818) 677-3311.

 

 

 

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