February is Black History month, and Brookdale has planned events to help students celebrate, learn about a different culture and possibly win prizes.

The Student Life Center, Black Student Union and Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education will be sponsoring a variety of events.

Why not start the month off with a chance to win a cash prize with the Thinkfast interactive trivia competition scheduled during college hour from 11:45 a.m. To 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the Navesink rooms of the SLC.

‘Students have a chance to win a $200 cash prize. They may enter the game by themselves or in a team,” said Lauren K. Brutsman, director of Student Life and Activities.

Another event all students can attend is the Keeping It Real: Rendering Lost Voices from the Black Stage. This event co-sponsored by Chhange and Student Life will give students the chance to listen to Taylor Barfield, the literary manager of Two River Theater of Red Bank.

According to program announcements, Barfield will discuss “how Black playwrights have framed and re-framed ideas of authentic Black experiences in the United States. His talk will explore how theatrical representations have been used to both achieve and impede Black liberation in the United States.” The event will take place 11:30 a.m. Feb. 25 in the Navesink rooms. Students can register online at, https://www.chhange.org/exhibits-events/events/keeping-it-real.

On Friday, Feb. 21, Brookdale will host the Sixth Annual Minority Male Initiative Conference beginning at 8:30 a.m. Offered in partnership with the Monmouth/Ocean County Pan Hellenic Council, the daylong conference goal is “to allow minority male students to meet with professionals from various careers that may be of interest to them. The students will be able to network with the professionals and obtain information on what it takes to be successful in their career of interest.”

Following the theme of “Connecting Tomorrow’s Leaders with Today’s Professionals,” the conference will include a morning keynote speaker, followed by concurrent workshops, and speakers during lunch. Brookdale students interested in attending should email [email protected].

Additionally, Student Life will be offering students the chance to view the 2019 movie “Harriet” and explore a baseball exhibit about the Negro Leagues. Check the college calendar for the dates.

It’s important that every race, ethnicity and group is represented in some way on campus, it helps make students feel welcomed and gives them a club or a safe space they can enjoy.

But does Brookdale do a good job at representing its minorities with events and are they even aware?

“Yes, I feel like Brookdale does represent its African-American students as well as all foreigners and minorities here. I would go to the events I think they sound nice,” said Kenny John, an 18-year-old criminal justice major from Asbury Park.