Neighbor News
Kickoff Black History Month at ECC on Feb. 7
Join us for a breakfast featuring Gigi Coleman's one-woman show on the life of great aunt Bessie Coleman.
Elgin Community College's celebration of Black History Month kicks off on Friday, Feb. 7, with a performance by Gigi Coleman, the great-niece of Bessie Coleman, the first black female pilot in the U.S. The breakfast event begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Building E Dining Room at the college, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
Bessie Coleman was not only the first black female to hold a pilot's license. She was also the first black person to earn an international pilot's license. Bessie Coleman could not enroll in flight school in the United States at the time, so she learned French and moved to France to get her pilot's license. The year was 1921. Her dream was to open a flight school, but died at the age of 34 in a test flight crash.
Gigi Coleman tours her one-woman show and portrays the story of her great-aunt Bessie to challenge the minds of the young and old and to encourage individuals to achieve their dreams. She also inspires youth to get interested in STEM through her aviation program, The Bessie Coleman Aviation All-stars.
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"We are excited to share our Black History Month celebration with the community," said Erik Enders, student life coordinator. "This year, we are featuring lesser-known history-makers whose impact on society was just as important as some of the names with whom we are more familiar."
He added, "Bessie Coleman is a great example of these hidden gems. I am excited to see how Gigi brings her great-aunt's story to life during the kickoff breakfast."
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Seating is limited, and tickets for the breakfast can be purchased for $15 for students and $20 for community members at tickets.elgin.edu or through the ECC Arts Center box office at 847-622-0300.
Full Black History Month schedule includes:
Voter Rights Panel Discussion
February 4, 2020
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Building B, Spartan Corner
The 1965 Voting Rights Act created a significant change in voting rights for African Americans. Join us in the Spartan Corner to explore voter rights over the decades and importance of your vote in today’s political climate!
Kickoff Breakfast
February 7, 2020
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Building E, Dining Room
Come celebrate Black History Month in style! Enjoy black history brought to life as GiGi Coleman portrays her great-aunt, daredevil pilot Bessie Coleman. Tickets are $15 for students, $20 for community members, and can be purchased at tickets.elgin.edu.
Tunnel of Oppression
February 12, 2020
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m.
Building H, Second Space Theatre
The Tunnel of Oppression is an interactive, guided event focused on contemporary social justice issues centered on the concepts of oppression, micro-aggressions, and the “isms” experiences by numerous communities today. This is an event that invites participation from all people.
Autobiography of a Freedom Rider Sponsored by the ECC Humanities Center
February 18, 2020
Building G, Spartan Auditorium
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Civil rights foot soldier Thomas Armstrong discusses his memoir detailing his early life working as a voting rights organizer with Mississippi’s State Field Secretary, Medgar Evers.
Black History Month Read-In/Write-In
February 19, 2020
12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
Building C, Room C120
Readers and writers from ECC and the community are invited to read works by African American writers, artists, and musicians. Professor Chasity Gunn, Elgin’s Poet Laureate, will lead this experience, with a chance to create works of your own.
Project 1619 Sponsored by MAGIC
February 26, 2020
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Building G, Spartan Auditorium
The 1619 Project is an ongoing initiative from that began in August 2019, which marked the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. It aims to re-frame the county’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the very center of our national narrative. Come join the discussion.
African Ball
February 28, 2020
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Building B, Jobe Lounge
Join us for the conclusion of Black History Month! Celebrate Africa through fashion, food, song, dance, presentations and more. Tickets are $15 per person, with kids under the age of five free, and can be purchased at tickets.elgin.edu.
The 2-3-1 Project: Connecting Elgin’s African American History
March 3, 2020
11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Building G, Spartan Auditorium
Discover Elgin's local African American History through a first-hand account by ECC's Professor Emerita of Sociology Joyce Fountain, a participant in the 2-3-1 documentary project. In addition, the 2-3-1 Project mobile art exhibit will be across from Spartan Corner in Building B.
Contact: Elissa Kojzarek
Communications Specialist
Office: 847-214-7838
Email: news@elgin.edu
Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive public community college, one of 48 statewide. ECC serves approximately 15,000 students each year. Programs of study include 25 major fields for university transfer, more than 130 career-oriented, occupational degrees and certificates, corporate and continuing education, and a full complement of pre-collegiate courses. The three-year graduation rate exceeds the national average and the average of peer colleges. ECC awards more than 2,200 degrees and certificates each year.
ECC NEWS MEDIA PROTOCOL
All members of the media should utilize the public relations department as the first point of contact. The communications specialist, may be reached at 847-214-7828, or news@elgin.edu. All Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests must be submitted in writing to Marilyn Prentice, compliance officer, at mprentice@elgin.edu or via fax at 847-214-7375. This release is the official newshead for Elgin Community College. Any information received on behalf of ECC not on this newshead should be disregarded.
