Black History Month events at Florida Community College at Jacksonville
Campus/Center: Downtown | Kent | Martin Center | North | South
The nation’s first Black History celebration was established by Black historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and for many years was designated as the second week in February. In 1976 it was expanded to an entire month as part of the American Bicentennial Celebration.
Once again Florida Community College is offering a wide variety of events in recognition of Black History Month. The theme this year, and the theme of the annual Black History Month calendar, is “Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas.” The calendar unveiling will be held at the Jacksonville Public Library. Listed events are free and open to the public.
The 2009 Black History Calendar is here! Contact your campus/center Student Life and Leadership Development office for more information.
Downtown Campus
101 W. State St.
For public information, call 904.633.8210.
Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band
Jan. 14, 12:30 p.m., Bldg. A, Café
The Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band continues the rich history of modern steel band music which it not only created, but perfected throughout the years. Their unique calypso style has wowed some of the most sophisticated audiences including Rockefeller Plaza, Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center in New York City.
Martin Luther King African-American History Month Opening Ceremony and Inauguration Celebration
Jan. 20, 11 a.m., Bldg. A, Room 1068
Serving as the kickoff for African-American History Month: Downtown Campus Professor Steve Piscitelli will facilitate an interactive series of events celebrating the 56th Presidential Inauguration as President-elect Barack Obama is sworn in. This campus celebration will also include a live showing of the swearing in ceremony as well as discussion concerning the history of Presidential Inaugurations and the Inaugural Address. Note: This event is open to the public; however, students in classes required to attend will be seated preferentially.
Crumbling: The Sounds of a People (Documentary)
Feb. 3, 10 a.m., Bldg. A, Room 1068
On a national scale, young African-Americans are more at risk than other ethnic groups when it comes to health, education, and a prospective future. The same is noticeably ever present in the Jacksonville community. "Crumbling the Sounds of a People" is a video documentary that attempts to reveal what is causing high-risk behavior among young African-Americans in Jacksonville today. The documentary is divided into four parts: The History of African-Americans in Jacksonville; The Role of the Church; HIV in the Black Community: and The Fate of the African-American Youth in Jacksonville. Documentary film director Kifimbo Parnell will present the documentary as well as facilitate a Q&A session following the film.
Visual Memories of Historical Black Jacksonville
Feb. 9, 11 a.m., Room A-1202
University of North Florida Professor Carolyn Williams will present a walking lecture of Historic Black Jacksonville. Using artifacts from the Durkeeville Historical Center, Dr. Williams will highlight the people, the entertainment, the recreation and social structure of the historically black Durkeeville community and other areas near Downtown Jacksonville. This presentation will provide students a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the rich history of these surrounding campus communities and their contributions to the city of Jacksonville and abroad.
Africa’s Daughters (Documentary)
Feb. 11, 6 p.m., Bldg. A, Lobby
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Short at the Atlanta Film Festival, “Africa’s Daughters” captures the inspiring journey of two Ugandan girls with one big dream: to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. To do that they must challenge cultural traditions and graduate from high school, something nearly impossible for most African girls. Africa’s Daughters has screened at 16 film festivals in the U.S. and internationally and also won Best Short Documentary awards at the Tallahassee Film Festival, the International Black Film Festival of Nashville and the Eugene (Oregon) International Film Festival. Documentary Film Director Natalie Halpern will present the documentary as well as facilitate a Q & A session following the film.
Defeating Diabetes
Feb. 18, 10 a.m., Bldg. A, Lobby
You are invited to join us as we explore the world of health science with free screenings and health information.
Great Debate: Yes We Can?
Two occurrences: Feb.18, 5:30 p.m. and Feb.19, 12:30 p.m., Bldg. A, Lobby
The question: Does the election of President-elect Obama indicate a new era in race relations in America, character over color?
African-American Poets — Past and Present
Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m., Bldg. A, Lobby
Author and FCCJ Professor, Amani Francis, will host this spoken word poetry event honoring African-American History and Culture. Featuring faculty, students and staff from the Downtown Campus, this open-mic poetry reading is guaranteed to entertain and inspire as these poets let their knowledge speak!
Lecture and Book Signing with Rodney Hurst
Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m., Bldg. A, Lobby
Meet author Rodney L. Hurst, Sr. at the book signing of his award winning book “It was never about a hot dog and a Coke®!” “It was never about a hot dog and a Coke®!”, is subtitled “A Personal Account of the 1960 Sit-in Demonstrations in Jacksonville, Florida and Ax Handle Saturday” and recounts the events leading to and the fallout from the bloody events of August 27, 1960. Hurst will also present a lecture on those pivotal events and give an in-depth look at the times, the mood, and the people of Jacksonville during a period of high racial tension and change.
Genealogy: Getting to the Root of the Matter
Feb. 26, 11 a.m., Bldg. A, Lobby
Interested in genealogy, but don’t know where to begin? Florida Times Union Editor Ebony Filer can get you to a running start. Ebony has been researching her ancestry on and off since she was eight years old. Through her research, she has gotten interesting peeks into her family’s past dating as far back as slave records. Come and learn the resources that can assist in your genealogy research.
Austin “Walkin’” Cane Blues Artist
Feb. 26, Noon, Bldg. A, Café
Austin Walkin’ Cane presents original and classic delta blues featuring his slide guitar and baritone vocals. Cane is a blues singer, songwriter and slide guitarist that performs acoustic solo, duo and electric band sets. His musical style blends in jazz, folk, soul and rock and roll. Cane has traveled all over the country and has earned various blues/instrumentalist awards over the years.
Kent Campus
3939 Roosevelt Blvd.
For public information, call 904.388.3674.
Trinidad Tripoli Steel Drum Band
Jan 13, 11 a.m., G-Stage
Steel Drum innovator Hugh Borde brings 57 years experience playing Calypso music from his home country.
Brazz Tree
Jan. 28, 11 a.m., G-Stage
The New York City-based violin/guitarist duo will perform songs drawn from a wide range of world music influences.
Music and Lecture Series: Austin “Walkin’” Cane Blues Artist
Feb. 25, 11 a.m., Bldg. G-Stage
Musician Walkin’ Cane will perform and speak on the musical history of the Blues. Original and classic delta blues featuring slide guitar and baritone vocals. With a blues gumbo repertoire that blends in jazz, folk, soul, and rock and roll, Austin Walkin’ Cane is a blues singer, songwriter and slide guitarist who performs acoustic solo, duo and electric band sets.
Africa’s Daughters: A Documentary Film and Lecture
March 24, 12:30 p.m., D-120
For girls like Hoctavia Sabiti and Ruth Aringo, both from Uganda, graduating from high school is something almost beyond reach, nearly unimaginable. And yet, as 17-year-old Hoctavia expresses in the film, “When you educate a girl, you educate a whole nation.” The meaning behind these words was the motivation for “Africa’s Daughters,” by Natalie Halpern. Says Director Halpern, “It’s widely accepted that education is the cornerstone of progress for individuals and countries alike. But when girls in developing countries are educated, especially at the high-school level, the benefits to society — social, economic and political are — are multiplied many times over. Hoctavia and Ruth, two remarkable young women, represent the dreams of millions of girls in Uganda and across Africa who understand that the only way to break the cycle of poverty in which they’ve grown up is to complete high school and, hopefully, go on to college. Capturing their stories of hope and determination, and seeing how they’re rising above cultural beliefs and traditions to realize their full potential has been an amazing experience. Their courage and their spirit have moved me. I hope that their stories reach across borders and move others to learn more about the impact of girls’ education, while inspiring young people to stay in school and pursue even the most impossible dream.”
Martin Center
501 West State Street
For public information, call 904.633.8311.
“An American Beach for African-Americans” — Women's Information Exchange Luncheon with Marsha Dean Phelts
Feb. 26, Noon-1 p.m., Fourth Floor Board Room
At this WIE, Phelts will focus her talk on the founding principles of the pioneering men and women involved in the establishment of this historic African-American Beach in 1935 and the continuous pride of those who call it home today. She will give an overview of American Beach's nearly 75 year history, its many struggles and the millennium achievements that residents celebrate today. She will also explain the historical and culinary significance of recipes selected for The American Beach Cookbook. Cookbooks will be for sale: An American Beach for African-Americans is $24.95 plus tax and The American Beach Cookbook for $19.95 plus tax. They are also available through www.amazon.com. Free and open to the public. Brown baggers welcome. Catered lunch provided by Tidbits at cost of $10 (Reservations required). Call 904.633.8311 to RSVP.
Lunch reservations must be prepaid by February 24. Please make checks payable to FCCJ and mail to the Rosanne R. Hartwell Women's Center, URC,
601 W. State St., Jax, FL 32202 in time to arrive by Feb. 24.
North Campus
4501 Capper Road
For public information, call 904.766.6785.
Trinidad Tripoli Steel Drum Band
Jan 14, 10:30–11:30 a.m., Room E-235
Steel Drum innovator Hugh Borde brings 57 years experience playing Calypso music from his home country.
Jacksonville Consortium of African-American Artist presents Cultural Fusion
Jan. 14, 6–8 p.m., Room D-301
The exhibit will continue in the North Campus Art Gallery until Feb. 16.
Brazz Tree
Jan. 27, 11 a.m., Room E-235
The New York City-based violin/guitarist duo will perform songs drawn from a wide range of world music influences.
Black History Month Books and Poster Displays
The North Campus Library will have a display of books and posters tying into Black History Month during the month of February. The North Campus Library is located on the third floor of Bldg. D, Room 301. It is open on Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m.; and Fri. 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Unity Wreath
Feb. 2-5, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., in front of the Café
The North Campus will create a Unity Wreath to celebrate our differences and at the same time show that everyone is not so unlike. Participants will trace their hands on a sheet of paper and then use five words to describe themselves. The hands will then be linked together to form a wreath which will be hung in Enrollment Services during February.
Music and Lecture Series: Austin “Walkin’” Cane Blues Artist
Feb. 23, 11 a.m., Auditorium.
Musician Walkin’ Cane will perform and speak on the musical history of the Blues. Original and classic delta blues featuring slide guitar and baritone vocals. With a blues gumbo repertoire that blends in jazz, folk, soul, and rock and roll, Austin Walkin’ Cane is a blues singer, songwriter and slide guitarist who performs acoustic solo, duo and electric band sets.
South Campus
11901 Beach Blvd.
For public information, call 904.646.2272.
African-American History Month Kick-Off: The Historical Significance of President-Elect Obama’s Inauguration
Jan. 20, 11 a.m., U-153A
Discussion: The Oath of Office, The Constitutional Qualifications and The 20th Amendment: Changing the date of the Inauguration
Brazz Tree
Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m., Café
NYC-based violin/guitar duo Brazz Tree continues to astound and endear audiences across the country with their brand of music: New World Acoustic Rock. Though their music draws on traditional forms born in places as far-flung as Ireland and India, it also remains firmly rooted in the exuberant, questing ethos of the New World. Brazz Tree’s newest creation “Spiral On” is the next step in the evolution of the band with a much more complex sound incorporating electric bass and guitar, drums, loops and samples and a string ensemble. Greg Tate of Village Voice writes “a sublime, surprising, bristling and hearty stew of Irish lyricism, daredevil jazz aerobatics and punk rock moxie ... both the elegance and the energy are off the chain.”
Poetry Reading
Feb. 5, 12:30 p.m., U-153A
Celebrating African-American History Month. Facilitated by Professors Tammy Cherry. Share your favorite poem.
Austin “Walkin’” Cane Blues Artist
Feb. 24, noon, Café
Musician Walkin’ Cane will perform and speak on the musical history of the Blues. Original and classic delta blues featuring slide guitar and baritone vocals. With a blues gumbo repertoire that blends in jazz, folk, soul, and rock and roll, Austin Walkin’ Cane is a blues singer, songwriter and slide guitarist who performs acoustic solo, duo and electric band sets.
