Every campus in our region is hosting Black History Month events this February.
“In the words of Lonnie Bunch, Founding Director of the Smithsonian’s NMAAHC, ‘African American History — and its celebration throughout February — is just as vibrant today as it was when Carter G. Woodson created it over 90 years ago. There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.’ Let’s continue remembering and celebrating the lives and contributions Black and African Americans have made in this country and in the world,” said Lorraine Lopez-Janove, Chief Diversity Officer at SUNY Ulster.
So make it a point to attend at least one Black History Month event this February. Here are some highlights that we received as of press time:
At Schenectady County Community College, there will be a Gangstagrass Performance and Q&A on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 12 noon in the Carl B. Taylor Auditorium. New York City musician and beats producer Rench imagined what bluegrass and hip-hop combined might sound like. Hear the results. The event is free but you must register by going to sunysccc.edu. SEE MORE SCCC EVENTS.
At Queensborough Community College on Tuesday, Feb. 19 in the Student Union Lounge, the Student Government Association will host the “Black Inventions Exhibit.” This is a multimedia presentation that pays tribute to African-American inventors and innovators. The exhibit reveals many surprising facts, and highlights the accomplishments of African-Americans in the fields of science, aerospace communication, health care, agriculture, transportation and engineering. Over 150 authentic artifacts are represented in the collection: patent designs, personal letters, rare photographs, brief biographies of the inventors and documentaries. MORE QCC EVENTS.
Mohawk Valley Community College will host “History of the ‘N’ Word and the Origin of Antisemitism” at its Utica campus at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21. The lecture will cover the history of racism and antisemitism in the United States and Europe and the implications of using racial slurs on individuals and greater society. The presentation will be followed by a moderated question and answer session. SEE MORE MVCC EVENTS.
Westchester Community College will host two Black History Month events on Tuesday, Feb. 19: “Inspiring Author’s Café,” featuring Randall Toby and Shannon Holmes, in the Classroom Building Room 100 at 11 a.m.; and the event/play “Of Ebony Embers Vignettes of the Harlem Renaissance” with Heather Ostman in the Davis Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. SEE MORE WCC EVENTS.
At Nassau Community College on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Multipurpose Room, CCB, the BHM Keynote Speaker event will feature “A Conversation with the Honorable Andrew Gillum, Former Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida and 2018 Florida Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee.” Pictured. SEE MORE NCC BHM EVENTS.
At Suffolk County Community College’s Ammerman Campus in Selden on Tuesday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Babylon Student Center see “The Black History Artifacts Exhibit.” The historical collection of Long Island’s own Unspoken History Treasures will be on exhibit again this year. The collection consists of historical materials that document the African American experiences. SEE MORE SCCC EVENTS.
Rockland Community College all month long will host “African American Contributions to History & Science,” an exhibit in the Library, second floor. SEE MORE RCC EVENTS.
At Springfield Technical Community College in Massachusetts all month long see the works of renowned artist Brian Gaither in Building 28/Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery. Also, on Wednesday, Feb. 27, hear Dr. Raja Staggers’ “Health Disparities in the Minority Community,” 11:15 a.m., Scibelli Hall, Rooms 703-704. MORE STCC EVENTS.
At Borough of Manhattan Community College, hear a staged reading of Stephen Adley Guirgis’ “Our Lady of 121st Street” with a post-reading discussion facilitated by Professor Jermaine Rowe (La Guardia Community College, Broadway and West End Performer) on Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. on 199 Chambers St., room N-451. The reading looks at African heritage as it pertains to notions of behavior in the community, ideas of forgiveness and honesty, and how the church and the idea of “God’s love” intersect as well as clash. SEE MORE BMCC EVENTS.
At LaGuardia Community College stop by the “Black Heritage Awareness Program” on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. in E-Building Room 111. Celebrate and honor great achievements by African Americans. There will be a presentation and song by the children of the college’s Early Childhood Learning Center. Following the children’s presentation will be a Q&A with refreshments. SEE MORE LCC EVENTS.
At SUNY Ulster, Joakim Lartey will perform African drumming and storytelling on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Student Life Dining Hall. Joakim was born in Accra, Ghana. He studied at Prempeh College in Kumasi, Ghana and then at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie and The Creative Music Studio in Woodstock. Joakim has performed with Natalie Merchant, Jack DeJohnette, Baba Olatunji, and John Hall, among others. He cofounded and was the lead singer of critically acclaimed Worldbeat/Afro-funk band Futu that performed at Woodstock ’94. He teaches drumming and rhythm to individuals and groups. SEE MORE SUNY ULSTER BHM EVENTS.
More events will be added to our web site, www.cccn.us. Send your listing to BHM@cccn.us.
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