The San Diego College of Continuing Education offers free virtual events this month to celebrate Black History Month, including sessions focused on jazz and poetry.

“While we cannot be together in person this February, we are honored to bring uplifting star performers and social justice activists to the SDCCE community to celebrate and remember the legacy of African American icons and unsung historical figures who fought tirelessly to achieve equal advances for all people in the United States,” said college president Carlos Osvaldo Cortez, Ph.D.

The events, which can be accessed via Zoom, include:

  • Noon, Wednesday – “Celebrating the Black Family: A Poetic Exploration of Unity, Survival and Resilience!” in which renowned San Diego poet Alyce Smith Cooper and DJ/musician Shammy Dee present “Spittin’ Truth to Power while Light leaping for the people.” Followed by a reading from poet Ernie McCray (Webinar ID: 987 1395 7948; passcode: 537991).
  • 5:30 p.m., Feb. 20: The Langston Hughes Project, a multimedia concert performance of Hughes’ kaleidoscopic jazz poem suite “Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz,” presented with Dr. Ron McCurdy, a USC professor of music (Zoom link and meeting ID, 752 496 5099).
  • Noon, Feb. 24 – Social justice leaders and artists including Master Storyteller Mitchell Capel “Gran’daddy Junebug,” activist and CEO of San Diego Urban Warriors Inc. Daj’ahn Blevins and award-winning poet Simone Edwards join in the program “The Stories We Tell” (Webinar ID: 958 7288 1160; passcode: 916649).

The college’s Black History Month events received grant support from the County of San Diego Community Enhancement Fund and the SDCCE Foundation.

Note: Photo credit – Screen shot, San Diego College of Continuing Education, via YouTube