In celebration of Black History Month and in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) will open its doors to the public from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm on Thursday, February 13, 2020. SDCE Rocks the Vote: African Americans and the Vote will include live music, dance, and spoken word. The free event will be hosted at the Educational Cultural Complex (4343 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113).

SDCE Rocks the Vote: African Americans and the Vote

Location: 4343 Ocean View Blvd, San Diego, CA 92113

11:30 am to 1:00 pm: Oral History of the Voting Rights Act and Live Performances

1:00 pm to 2:00 pm: Reception

1:30 pm to 3:00 pm: Spoken Word Poetry Workshop with MovementBe

The San Diego Experience of the Civil Rights Movement exhibit created by Leah Goodwin and Jan Carpenter will be showcased at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) later this month to further illustrate the city’s African American culture, tradition, and contributions. The large display memorializes the Voting Rights Act, influential social justice organizations; ACLU, BAPAC and the NAACP, and San Diego’s Civil Rights Leaders.

ECC has been a symbol of community and African American activism since its beginnings in 1972. Coretta Scott King’s address in the historic theatre at the institution in 1983 ultimately influenced the decision to sign the law creating the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

SDCE’s Historic Preservation Committee is working with the city of San Diego and state officials to have ECC named as a Civil Rights Landmark Designation, and the committee is raising money to support a capital campaign to renovate the historic theatre. The public is invited to support the Coretta Scott King Inaugural Benefit: A Gospel Brunch  Saturday, March 7, 2020 at ECC. Contact Dr. Laurie Coskey lcoskey@sdccd.edu for sponsorship opportunities and ticket information.

SDCE is part of the award-winning San Diego Community College District (SDCCD). Many students achieve a high school diploma and/or career training certificate at SDCE and then transition to a SDCCD college, City, Mesa or Miramar.