SDCCD: District Honors, Celebrates Black History Month

Press release from San Diego Community College District:

February 7, 2022

The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) is honoring Black excellence and
Black achievements with a number of events throughout February. Among the events sponsored
by San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges, as well as the
District Office, the public can expect to learn about sacred African sculptures, hear
a spoken word presentation from poet Stacy Dyson, and learn about the power of perseverance
from Rodney Walker, a former foster youth and Yale University graduate.

All events are free and open to the public. Attendees must register in advance for
virtual events. 

Here’s how the SDCCD is celebrating Black History Month: 

African Guardian Spirits: A Virtual ExhibitionPeruse and learn about sacred African sculptures all month from the Mesa College Foundation
World Cultures Collection. The hauntingly beautiful and visually stunning works were
chosen for this virtual exhibit based on their intention to protect, nurture, teach
or guide. Curated by Dr. Denise Rogers. The exhibition opened February 1 and will
close Monday, February 28.The virtual exhibition can be found here.

5 to 7 p.m.Voices of BLACKNESS: The Cultural Arts InnovatorsProfessor Latorial Faison, a published poet and performer, shares and discusses her
work. This event is part of Cultural Noire Performing Arts Company's series featuring
nationwide cultural arts innovators. Hosted by English professor Gina Jackson. Sponsored
by City College.Join on Zoom here.

12:45 to 2 p.m.The Activist in MeJoin the Mesa College community in a virtual remembrance of the many iconic African-descended
individuals who joined the ancestors in the past year, including but not limited to
Bell Hooks, Barry Harris, Bob Moses, Hank Aaron, John Lewis, Colin Powell, Cicely
Tyson, Desmond Tutu, and Sydney Portier. Students are encouraged to share what these
heroes and sheroes, as well as others who have died recently, have meant to them,
and how they are inspired to succeed and become activists for positive change in the
world based on these role models. Hosted by professor Bobby Chambers. Register on Zoom here. 

11 to 11:45 a.m.A Spoken Word Poetry Event With Stacy DysonStacy Dyson is a poet, acapella vocalist, and playwright who specializes in the life
and times of the Black woman. Dyson has done program design, residencies, workshops,
and live performances in all sorts of places, including all over San Diego. She is
the author of seven collections of poetry and has also created five CDs of poetry
and spoken word. Sponsored by Miramar College.Join on Zoom here.

7 p.m.Black Conquistadors PresentationPresented by professor Javier Gonzalez-Meeks, this presentation will look at the role
Black Conquistadors played in conquest and exploration of Spanish America. Sponsored
by Miramar College.Join on Zoom here.Password: Garrido

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ‘Heart with Room for Every Joy’ Film and Discussion Film documentary on the life and works of Zora Neale Hurston, an author, anthropologist
and filmmaker. She portrayed racial struggles in the early 20th century American South
and published research on Haitian Voodoo. The most popular of her four novels is “Their
Eyes Were Watching God,” published in 1937. Enjoy this fresh, informative documentary
and participate in a virtual discussion following the film. Hosted by Thekima Mayasa,
Ed.D. Sponsored by Mesa College.Register on Zoom here.

Noon to 1 p.m.Zuzu AcrobatsThe Zuzu African Acrobats share the cultural traditions of East African country Tanzania
through music, dance, and authentic acrobatic routines. Sponsored by City College.In-person* event at Curran Plaza (between the C and L buildings). City College is
at 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego*For the safety of the SDCCD community, masks must be worn at all times during the
event. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours
is required to attend. 

10 to 11 a.m.Combating the Stigma of Mental HealthJoin City College’s Active Minds Chapter, Student Health Center, and Umoja as they
host National Active Minds guest speaker Abraham Sculley. "Combating the Stigma of
Mental Health" is designed to encourage and equip students with the tools and education
necessary to engage in the conversation surrounding mental health and mental illness.
Through vulnerability, Sculley shares his mental health story and addresses the common
myths of mental illness, the negative effects of and ways to effectively combat stigma.
All attendees will be entered into opportunity drawings for giveaways. Join on Zoom here. Password: 022322

11 to 11:45 a.m.A Spoken Word Poetry Event With Dr. Anthony BlacksherAnthony Blacksher, Ph.D., writes and performs regularly with the performance art collective
bkSoul, producing collaborative theater for social justice. Blacksher also serves
as the publisher of the San Diego Poetry Annual. An avid vinyl record collector, he
enjoys freedom-fighting music with soulful melodies and big groovy bass lines. Sponsored
by Miramar College.Join on Zoom here. 

11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.San Diego College of Continuing Education Community Wellness FairThis event is to be held in-person, at an outdoor location to be determined, at the
Educational Cultural Complex. Food and entertainment will be available. Sponsored
by San Diego College of Continuing Education. The Educational Cultural Complex is at: 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego.

4 to 5:30 p.m.African American Inventors to Remember This Black History Month and BeyondIn this session, City College will explore the life and legacy of African American
Inventors. With its emphasis on Black racial identity, pride, and self-determination,
the workshops will inspire the City College community to learn about great inventors
whose contributions to technology have contributed to World History and made daily
tasks easier or safer. Join on Zoom here.

5 to 8 p.m.Community Recording Studio Night: Blues NightIn celebration of Black History Month, students, faculty, and community members are
invited to come together to record songs by classic blues artists such as Robert Johnson
and Muddy Waters in City College’s state-of-the-art recording studio, in room C-208.
Sponsored by the City College Commercial Music Program.In-person* event at Curran Plaza (between the C and L buildings). City College is
at 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego.*For the safety of the SDCCD community, masks must be worn at all times during the
event. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours
is required to attend. No wind instruments (harmonica, saxophone, clarinet, etc.)
this time due to health precautions.

7 p.m. Black Vaqueros Presentation Presented by professor Javier Gonzalez-Meeks, this presentation will look at the lesser-known
story of Black vaqueros or cowboys in the “Wild” West, such as Bass Reeves who inspired
the story of “The Lone Ranger.” Sponsored by Miramar College.Join on Zoom here. Password: Reeves

8 to 9:30 p.m.Disrupting Racism Through the Lens of the ArtsThis virtual presentation will take students, faculty, and staff on an historical
journey illuminating how art has been used to confront racism in America. Ron McCurdy,
Ph.D., of University of Southern California, will share musical excerpts demonstrating
the dual purpose of the Negro spiritual and how it was used to praise God while revolting
against slavery. He will also examine Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit,” Sam Cooke’s
“A Change is Gonna Come,” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” to name a few. The event
will demonstrate how the arts help define the struggle for Black freedom and equality.
Hosted by professor Paula Johnson. Sponsored by Mesa College. Register on Zoom here.

Noon to 1:30 p.m.Disrupting Racism Through The Lens of the Arts This virtual presentation will take students, faculty, and staff on a historical journey
illuminating how art has been used to confront racism in America. Dr. Ron McCurdy
will start by sharing excerpts of musical examples demonstrating the dual purpose
of the Negro spiritual and how it was used to "praise" God while revolting against
slavery. Billie Holiday's “Strange Fruit,” Sam Cooke's “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Paul
Robeson's “Ole Man River,” Marvin Gaye's “What's Going On,” Childish Gambino's “This
Is America,” and many other artistic examples will be examined to demonstrate how
the arts helped to define the struggle for freedom and equality among African Americans.
Sponsored by the District Committee for Community, Inclusion & Diversity.Register on Zoom here.

3 to 5 p.m.Let the Poets Speak: Know Your WorthJoin members of the Mesa College community at this “open air” event, which will take
place outside of the Black Resource Center at San Diego State University. The event
will include open mic poetry, live music and food, all socially-distanced for fun
and joy. The event is a collaboration between the Mesa College Black Studies Department,
Committee for Diversity, Action, Inclusion, and Equity, SDSU’s Black Resource Center,
and the San Diego Association of Black Psychologists, which are all committed to the
health and well-being of marginalized peoples. Participants will share and explore
feelings having to do with Black self-worth, self-acceptance and self-confidence,
among other topics relevant to the Black experience. Please remember to bring your
mask. Hosted by Ricky Pope, Ph.D., and Judy Sundayo, Ph.D.The Black Resource Center at SDSU is at: 5723 Lindo Paseo, San Diego.

Noon to 1 p.m.The Power of Perseverance, Virtual Program with Keynote Speaker Rodney Walker

Keynote speaker Rodney Walker provides a virtual program titled “The Power of Perseverance”
followed by a question and answer session. Walker is the bestselling author of the
educational memoir titled “A New Day One: Trauma, Grace, and a Young Man’s Journey
from Foster Care to Yale.” Students attending this event will learn the value of perseverance,
and why it is an essential quality to have in overcoming life’s challenges, as well
as the five steps all students need to take to overcome adversity and lead a life
of success. Sponsored by the Diversity Committees of City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing
Education colleges. Join on Zoom here.

Black History Month is observed annually in February and honors the contributions
and sacrifices of African-Americans who have helped shape the United States. Black
History Month originated from Carter G. Woodson, known as the “father of Black History.”
In 1926, Woodson set out to dedicate a period of time to educate people about Black
history and culture. Woodson designated the second of week of February as Negro Week,
with support from the Association for the Study of Negro Life, which is now known
as The Association for the Study of African American Life and History. In the late
1960s, Negro Week formally became what is now known as Black History Month.

This press release was produced by San Diego Community College District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.