December 1955: Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama.
August 1963: Martin Luther King Jr. delivers “I Have a Dream Speech.”
July 1964: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
November 2008: President Barak Obama elected as America’s first African-American president.
Recognize the heritage, achievements and rich culture of African-Americans in the United States throughout the month of February with a month long series of events hosted by SJC Brooklyn’s Black Student Association and SJC Long Island’s Office of Multicultural Student Life in celebration of Black History Month.
Artist Drew Drake
Thursday, Feb. 9: Talk by “Spoken Word Artist” Drew Drake
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Campus: SJC Brooklyn
Location: Tuohy Hall Alumni Room
Description: Spoken word artist Drew Drake will deliver an inspiring presentation in light of Black History month. His most recent project addresses veteran rights and the impact of capitalism and racism in intercollegiate athletics.
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Race Talk Forum – “Why Black Lives Matter”
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Campus: SJC Brooklyn
Location: Tuohy Hall Student Lounge
Description: An open discussion regarding racial tension in America and working toward finding a solution.
(Photo by Randee Daddona)
Thursday, Feb. 16: Black Inventors and Activists Art Exhibit
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Campus: SJC Long Island
Location: McGann Conference Center, O’Connor Hall
Description: Throughout the month of February, art pieces of various black inventors and activists will be on display at the College. Local artist Andres Gallardo will present these prominent individuals and their contributions to society Thursday, Feb. 16. Additionally, pieces of art work will be raffled off at the end of the month.
(Photo by The University of Virginia American Studies Program)
Saturday, Feb. 18: Choir Performance
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Campus: SJC Long Island
Location: McGann Conference Center, O’Connor Hall
Description: A performance of gospel music, a genre deeply rooted in the rich traditions of the African- American church. In the late 1800s, African-American churches in southern America fused styles of music – such as spirituals, hymns and sacred songs – into their worship services.
(Photo by Ben Ritter)
Thursday, Feb. 23: Black History Month Closing Celebration
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Campus: SJC Brooklyn
Location: Tuohy Hall Auditorium
Description: Brooklyn contemporary composers and hip-hop-classical string duo CHARGAUX will perform at SJC Brooklyn’s Black History Month closing celebration. The duo has been featured in J Cole’s latest album 4 Your Eyez Only and is currently working with such artists as Robert Glasper and Kendrick Lamar.
Tuesday, Feb. 28: Our Police and Our Community
Deputy Police Commissioner Risco Mention-Lewis
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Campus: SJC Long Island
Location: McGann Conference Center, O’Connor Hall
Description:Deputy Police Commissioner Risco Mention-Lewis, the first African-American and woman to be appointed to the position of Suffolk County deputy police commissioner, will give a talk on the relationship between police and their communities.
Tuesday, March 7: The Free Hugs Project
Time: Common Hour, 1-2 p.m.
Campus: SJC Long Island
Location: McGann Conference Center, O’Connor Hall
Description: Ken E. Nwadike Jr., peace activist, video journalist and founder of the Free Hugs Project, will share his creative and interactive program to engage students in conversations of understanding and compassion as opposed to hatred and racism.
