Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges will host a series of events in February in honor of Black History Month.
Included among the events will be tributes to iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr., President Barack Obama, Maya Angelou and others, in addition to lesser-known names such as Daisy Bates, a civil rights heroine who led the charge to desegregate the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., in 1957.
Cuyamaca College’s Black History Month events are:
- Through Feb. 29: A library display on the first and second floors
- Tuesday, Feb. 9: Movie screening of “Selma,” followed by discussion at 11:30-2 p.m. at the Performing Arts Theater, Building B
- Wednesday, Feb. 17: A workshop presented by Hurricane Katrina survivor Dr. Tanis Starck, assistant dean of special projects at San Diego State University’s School of Education, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the Cross Cultural Center (Student Center, I-128) The workshop is “And Her Name was Katrina: Life After the Storm, a personal guide through a reflective journey of social justice and inequality in America.”
- Thursday, Feb. 18: Stop by the Cross Cultural Center (Student Center, I-128) to participate in various activities sponsored by the Associated Student Government from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 25: Introduction to the Black Student Union of Cuyamaca College from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the Grand Lawn. Hear from students, community organizations, black businesses, and local speakers. Free food will be provided.
- Friday, Feb. 26: “Paving the Way,” a celebration of black history that includes musical performances, theater, dance, politics and more. Set for 7:30-9 p.m.at the Performing Arts Theatre. Cost is $8, general admission; $5 for students with identification cards.
Grossmont College’s Black History Month events are:
- Wednesdays through Feb. 24: “Jazz Kitchen” features Jazz Studies student performers led by Music Department chair Derek Cannon and lunch specials including pulled pork sandwiches and jambalaya at Griffin Grill in Griffin Center
- Tuesday, Feb. 16: African-American Read-In at 7-8:30 p.m. in Room 26-220; campus and community members will read and perform works of African-American notables
- Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 16, 18: Two transfer workshops about Historically Black Colleges and Universities at 5 p.m., Feb. 16, in 70-103, and 2 p.m., Feb. 18, in Room 70-104
- Wednesday, Feb. 17: Documentary screening and discussion of “Black Latin America” at 12:30 p.m. in Room 51-575. This documentary explores the almost unknown history of black people brought to Mexico and Peru as early as the 16th and 17th centuries. History Professor Carlos Contreras will lead discussion before and after the screening.
- Tuesday, Feb. 23: Discussions and screening of “Daisy Bates: The First Lady of Little Rock,” presented by History Professor Adisa Alkebulan at 4:30 p.m. in Griffin Gate in Bldg. 60.
All events are open to the public. With the exception of “Paving the Way” on Feb. 26, all events are free. Proceeds from “Paving the Way” will cover production costs, as well as a donation to the local nonprofit, FANCY (Focused and Naturally Confident Youth) for inner-city and foster youth.
Grossmont College is at 8800 Grossmont College Drive. Cuyamaca College is at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in the community of Rancho San Diego. For more information about the colleges, go to www.gcccd.edu.