District Events Celebrate Black History Month
February, 2016
The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), including San Diego City College, Mesa College, Miramar College, and San Diego Continuing Education, proudly celebrates Black History Month in February with an array of events and exhibits.
Among the events, SDCE is hosting a speical event at the Educational Cultural Complex on Wednesday, February 24, 10:30 a.m. – noon
‘Our Past is Our Future – Looking Back and Moving Forward’
Celebrate with music, spoken word poetry, ethnic cuisine, and urban dancers.
Educational Cultural Complex, 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, 92113
Other District-wide events include:
Wednesday, February 3, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.; 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
`For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots’
Documentary honoring African-American servicemen and women, followed by a discussion.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Thursday, February 4, 8 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
`Empowering Men of Color’
San Diego City College presents a Hermanos Unidos/Brothers United (HUBU) high school conference, Empowering Men of Color, providing an opportunity for young men to discuss strategies for overcoming educational and personal challenges that affect men of color in higher education. Panel discussions and workshops, and keynote speakers: Dr. Enrique "Kiki" Ochoa, professor, Lincoln High School; and Dr. Tyrone Howard, Associate Dean & Professor, UCLA
San Diego City College, Saville Theatre, 14th and C Street, San Diego, 92101
Tuesday, February 9, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
`Carter G. Woodson: Origins of Black History Month’
A film and discussion on Carter G. Wilson, the son of a slave who laid the groundwork for Black History Month when he founded Negro History Week in 1926.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Wednesday, February 10, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
`Lorraine Hansberry: Passionate Witness’
Lorraine Hansberry biographer Dr. Margaret Wilkerson will discuss the first African-American woman to write a play (A Raisin in the Sun) performed on Broadway.
San Diego City College, Saville Theatre, 14th and C Street, San Diego, 92101
Wednesday, February 10 and 17, 10:30 a.m. – noon
`The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross’
A special viewing of this documentary by Dr. Louis Gates, Jr., which explores the evolution of the African-American people, as well as the cultural institutions, political strategies, and religious and social perspectives they developed in forging their own history, culture and society against unimaginable odds.
San Diego Continuing Education, Educational Cultural Complex, 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, 92113
Wednesday, February 10, 1 p.m.
Chor Boogie Art Demonstration
Renowned spray paint artist Chor Boogie, who has painted vibrant murals for the Olympics in Beijing and on a segment of the Berlin Wall, will offer an art demonstration in the Mesa College Art Gallery. The demonstration is offered in conjunction with his exhibit, ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice,’ which runs February 11 – March 2 at the Mesa College Art Gallery.
San Diego Mesa College, Art Gallery (D-101), 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Thursday, February 11, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Chor Boogie, ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’ Art Exhibition
Opening reception for a Chor Boogie exhibit, Divided State of America, which runs through March 2 at the San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery (D-101). Gallery hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The reception will be followed by a lecture and conversation with the artist in Room G-101.
San Diego Mesa College, Art Gallery (D-101), 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Thursday, February 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
`The Black List, Volume 1’
The Black List, Volume 1 premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008 and won the NAACP Spirit Award in 2009 for Best Documentary.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Monday, February 22, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
`Percy Julian: The Forgotten Genius’
A film and discussion about Percy Julian, an African-American research chemist and a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Tuesday, February 23, 11:15 – 12:30 p.m.
‘Déjà Vu and Still Loving Life’
Ernie McCray, a longtime San Diego educator, peace and justice advocate, and San Diego Free Press and OB Rag writer, discusses the issues of the day at San Diego City College.
San Diego City College, MS-162, 1313 Park Blvd., San Diego, 92101
Tuesday, February 23, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.; 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
`Open Mic: Black Poets Speak Out’
Mesa College students join local poets and storytellers Kendrick Dial, Alyce Smith Cooper, Jaime V. Jones, and others.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Wednesday, February 24, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
`Hidden Colors, Part 1’
Hidden Colors is the name of a documentary series that looks at the marginalizing of African Americans here and around the world. A discussion follows the screening.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Thursday, February 25, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
`Hidden Colors, Part 2’
Hidden Colors is the name of a documentary series that looks at the marginalizing of African Americans here and around the world. A discussion follows the screening.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Friday, February 26, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
‘Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball’
Former Negro league pitcher Dennis “Bose” Biddle will discuss his years with the Chicago American Giants in the waning days of Negro league baseball in America. Biddle became the youngest player to pitch in the Negro leagues when he signed with the Chicago American Giants out of high school in 1953. Biddle also will sign copies of his book, Secrets of the Negro Baseball League.
San Diego Miramar College, Student Services Building, Room K1-107, 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, 92126
Monday, February 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
`Hidden Colors, Part 3’
Hidden Colors is the name of a documentary series that looks at the marginalizing of African Americans here and around the world. A discussion follows the screening.
San Diego Mesa College, H-117 and 118, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111
Through March 6
‘The History and the Hair Story: 400 Years without a Comb’
This exhibit at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido – curated by Starla Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Black History at San Diego Mesa College – is a journey through the history of the African-American hair industry and its role in our present culture. From its origins in the seat of civilization to the epicenter of the civil rights movement, the comb’s untold story takes the spotlight in this exhibition by way of 400 years’ worth of artifacts, photography, historical accounts, propaganda, and much more. Visit artcenter.org for more details.
California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 92025
Black History Month, also known as National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.
As the second-largest of California’s 72 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 100,000 students annually through three two-year colleges and San Diego Continuing Education. The three colleges, San Diego City College, San Diego Mesa College, and San Diego Miramar College, offer associate degrees and certificates in occupational programs that prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and entry-level jobs. Mesa College also offers a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management. Continuing Education offers noncredit adult education at six campuses throughout San Diego.
Jack Beresford
Director, Communications and Public Relations
San Diego Community College District
3375 Camino del Rio South, Suite 335
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 388-6540 office