Entertainment & Events

Celebrating Black History Month in San Diego

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“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

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 San Diego Community College District provided us with a list of events to honor Black History Month with a series of performances, exhibits, discussions, and informational fairs at community colleges in San Diego, along with San Diego Continuing Education.

Among the upcoming events:

Rosa Parks Birthday Recognition and Libation

In honor of Black History Month, a short ceremony will be held at the San Diego Mesa College Rosa Parks Transit Bus Stop to honor the legacy of Mrs. Rosa Parks. The bus stop is located at east gateway entrance to Mesa College on the corner of Mesa College Drive and Mesa College Circle. The bus stop developed at the east gateway entrance to honor Rosa Parks, who had a special relationship with Mesa College and made several visits to the college in the early 1990s. Rosa Park’s birthday is two days after this ceremony.

WHERE: San Diego Mesa College Rosa Parks Transit Bus Stop, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111

WHEN: Thursday, February 2, from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Expo

Local HBCU alumni are teaming with City College’s Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and the campus Transfer/Career Center for a day of workshops, panel discussions, and more for those interested in transferring to a historically black college or university. Savannah State University, Howard University, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University are among the colleges and universities that will be represented. Register at hbcuexposandiego.eventbrite.com. Information: (619) 388-3722.

WHERE: San Diego City College, Curran Plaza, 1313 Park Blvd., 92101

WHEN: Saturday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Black Folks & the Blues

Blues musician Dennard Clendenin will be discussing the history behind the African American community and era of blues music in his performance. Clendenin was featured in Lee Mun Wah’s 2003 film “Last Chance for Eden,” a documentary about racism, sexism and multiculturalism in America.

WHERE: San Diego Mesa College, MC-211 A, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111

WHEN: Wednesday, February 8, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Impressions: African-American Artists and their Connection to African Art

The San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery presents an exhibition of select works featuring African-American art by Andrea Chung, Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, Robert Pruitt, and the Mesa College African
Art Collection. This is an opening reception for an exhibit that runs through March 1. The gallery is in D101. An artists’ lecture will follow the opening reception at 6:30 p.m. in G-102.

WHERE: San Diego Mesa College, D-101, 7250 Mesa College Drive, 92111

WHEN: Thursday, February 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Black History Month Blood Drive

San Diego City College will honor Black History Month by hosting a San Diego Blood Bank blood drive on campus. Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment online: www.mysdbb.org/appointment.

WHERE: San Diego City College, AH/BT Upper Plaza, 1313 Park Blvd., 92101

WHEN: Monday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Open Mic: Poets Speak Out

Students, faculty, staff and the community are welcome to participate or be in the audience for the annual Open Mic event. This year, a student winner will be chosen, whose piece of poetry will be performed by Dr. Ron McCurdy during the “Ask Yo Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” performance on Monday, Feb. 27.

WHERE: San Diego Mesa College, Room TBD, 7250 Mesa College Drive, 92111

WHEN: Tuesday, February 21, from 6 to 9 p.m.

An Afternoon with Sonia Sanchez

Award-winning poet, writer and activist Sonia Sanchez – made famous for her revolutionary work in the 1960s – will speak to students, staff, faculty and the community. The event will also include student performances of poetry. Attendees are requested to RSVP to Judy Sundayo at jsundayo@sdccd.edu.

WHERE: San Diego Mesa College, MC-211 A/B, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111

WHEN: Thursday, February 23, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Kevin Powell

Acclaimed writer, political activist, lecturer, and entrepreneur, Kevin Powell will be the featured Black History Month speaker at Miramar College. Powell appeared in the first season of MTV’s reality television series, The Real World: New York in 1992. He also is a frequent guest commentator on VH1, BET, and other media platforms about political and social justice issues.

WHERE: San Diego Miramar College, K-107, 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, 92126

WHEN: Monday, February 27, 12:30 p.m.

Ask Yo Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz

Dr. Ron McCurdy, music professor at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, will be performing Langston Hughes’ epic poem, “Ask Yo Mama,” set to jazz music. In addition to performing this piece, he will also be taking the winning piece of student poetry from a campus Open Mic poetry event and performing it to jazz music during this concert.

WHERE: San Diego Mesa College, G-101, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111

WHEN: Monday, February 27, from 7 to 9 p.m.

  • All of the listed events are free and open to the public!

 

 

 

Cali girl at heart who enjoys the outdoors, writing, adventuring, and spending time with my daughter and loved ones. Cheers! "I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude." -Brene Brown

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