Fresno Pacific University will hold several events throughout February in celebration of Black History Month at its main campus, 1717 S. Chestnut Ave., Fresno.
- College Hour: Chapel with Leon Harris, Ph.D.—February 4, 10:50 a.m.
- Join us in the Special Events Center for Chapel with Leon Harris, Ph.D., who is the J.B. Toews Fellow in Theology and biblical studies at the FPU Biblical Seminary. Coming from South Central L.A., he previously taught theology at Biola University and has received two master’s degrees in theology and divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary. His doctorate comes from the University of Aberdeen, and his current research focuses on the Holy Spirit, African American theology and liberationist approaches to God’s concern for the justice of the least of these.
- Free and open to the public.
- College Hour: Chapel with Elsa Asrat—February 11, 10:50 a.m.
- Join us in the Special Events Center for Chapel with FPU Alumni and local missionary Elsa Asrat. Elsa was born in Ethiopia and speaks three different languages: Amharic, English and Swahili. She found herself at FPU in 2012 and graduated in 2014 with a degree in communication. Elsa is the founder of Loving and Leading Others Ministry, which allows her to empower and equip HIV positive women in Ethiopia, encouraging their dignity and surrounding them with support.
- Free and open to the public.
- ROOTED (Black Student Union Kick-off Event)—February 18, 6:45 p.m.
- Join us in the Special Events Center Lounge for the ROOTED (Black Student Union) kick-off event! Get on a team and earn some prizes in Black Jeopardy! Food and drinks will be provided.
- Free and open to the FPU community.
- Film Screening: Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom—February 24, 12:15 p.m.
- In celebration of Black History Month, we will be screening the film Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom in the Elizabeth V. Lyles Theater (Black Box Theater) located in the Warkentine Culture and Arts Center. We will be joined for Q&A by writer, producer and host of the film Rasool Berry. All members of the FPU community are invited to come join the conversation! Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
- Free and open to the FPU community.
- College Hour: Chapel with Rasool Berry—February 25, 10:50 a.m.
- Join us in the Special Events Center for Chapel with Rasool Berry, Teaching & Family Pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, N.Y., and the director of partnerships and content development at Our Daily Bread Ministries. He is the general editor and contributor of the book and video series, The Whole Man, which focuses on spiritual development for Black men. He is the host of the Where Ya From? podcast and featured in Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom documentary. Rasool’s work often examines the intersection of faith and culture and has had his work featured in Christianity Today, The Witness, and the book Keeping the Faith: Reflections on Politics & Christianity.
- Lunch & Learn with Rasool Berry—February 25, 12:00 p.m.
- Join us as we host our chapel speaker, Rasool Berry (writer, producer and host of documentary film Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom) for a more intimate conversation about culture, Black history and faith. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
- Free and open to the FPU community.