City College Announces Black History Month Activities

The City College of New York observes Black History Month with a rich array of activities that includes social events, film screenings, performances, lectures and more. Among the highlighted activities are:

• The New York premiere of the documentary “Hate Crimes in the Heartland,” which examines two major racially motivated crimes 90 years apart in Tulsa, Okla., on February 4.
• A performance by the acclaimed Batoto Yetu dance troupe, February 8 at Aaron Davis Hall.
• The Fifth Annual “Is Hip Hop History” conference, February 27 – 28 at the Center for Worker Education at 25 Broadway.

A list of Black History Month programs, with dates, times, locations and brief descriptions follows. Events are free and open to the public, unless noted otherwise. Additional event information can be found on the college calendar of events.

February 3 - 28, “Shots, Strokes, Threads, Vol. 3.” An art exhibit featuring the work of several nationally and internationally recognized African-American artists plus a collection of Haitian art. Opening reception presented by the Black Studies Program and the CCNY Libraries: 6 p.m. Monday, February 3, Cohen Library Archives and Special Collections, 6th Floor, North Academic Center.

February 4, BMI/Frederick Douglass Leadership Breakfast. The City College chapter of the Black Male Initiative and the Black History Month Student Committee cordially invite you to a morning of breakfast, leadership recognition and fellowship. 9 – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 4, Faculty Dining Room.

February 4, Black History Month Kickoff. Join us for a kickoff celebration with free food and games. Learn about the upcoming events for the month. Witness the debut of 27 individuals to be honored. 12 – 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, Hoffman Student Lounge.

February 4, “Hate Crimes in the Heartland.” The City College Center for the Arts and Lioness Media Arts Inc. present Emmy award-winning documentary filmmaker Rachel Lyon and her newest film, “Hate Crimes in the Heartland;” a groundbreaking exploration of the media’s coverage of hate crimes spanning 90 years in Tulsa, Okla. Panel of distinguish guests will discuss the film immediately following the screening. 6 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, Aaron Davis Hall.

February 6, Black History Month Beauty and Health Expo. Presented by the Black Studies Program, the Black History Month Beauty and Health Expo is geared toward enhancing people of color’s knowledge of holistic health, skin and beauty care, in addition to improving and maintaining an overall healthier lifestyle. 6 – 8 p.m. Thursday, February 6, Hoffman Student Lounge.

February 8, Batoto Yetu. The City College Center for the Arts and the internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Júlio T. Leitão invite you to celebrate Black History Month with an encore performance from the inspiring and talented young dancers of Batoto Yetu. 7 p.m. Saturday, February, Aaron Davis Hall. Tickets: $25, $10 children.

February 11, Black History Month Diversity Talks. Join us for our monthly Diversity Talks as we discuss taboos within the black community. 12 – 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 11, Hoffman Lounge Atrium.

February 13, Black History Month Keynote Talk. Dr. Daniel Black, award-winning novelist and professor of African American Studies at Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College. Presented by the Black Studies Program and Black Student Union. Additional details at the Black Studies web site. 5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, February 13. Location TBA.  

February 19, Black History Month Wednesday Night Live. A new monthly series of live entertainment events on the City College campus. The first event of the spring semester features singing, dancing, stepping and more. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, North Academic Center Ballroom.

February 20, “Bearing Witness: The Role of Culturally Specific Museums in the Public Discourse on Human Rights.” Speakers: Kinshasha Holman Conwill, deputy director, National Museum of African American History and Culture, and John Haworth, director, National Museum of the American Indian. Moderated by Cheryl Sterling, director of Black Studies at City College. Part of the yearlong City College Human Rights Forum. 6:30 – 8 p.m. Thursday, February 20, Room 250, Shepard Hall.  

February 21, Black History Month 1st Annual Pan-African Cultural Show. An event to express all aspects of diaspora cultures. This show will reveal the unity of all cultures under the African umbrella at the City College through fashion, performances and art. The creativity being showcased will connect the audience to the traditions and art of Black History Month. Presented by the Black Studies Program. 6 – 9 p.m. Friday, February 21, Aronow Theater.

February 27, Black History Month Closing Gala. The Black Studies Program and the Black History Month Student Committee invite students to a gala with sit-down dinner, dancing and more. Semi-formal attire required. 7 - 11 p.m. Friday, February 27, Faculty Dining Room.

February 27, “Beat Street.” A 1984 drama film featuring New York City hip hop culture of the early 1980s; breakdancing, DJing and graffiti. Scenes of the film were actually shot at City College’s Aaron Davis Hall. A brief discussion on its 30-year anniversary and its significance to hip hop today, led by Warren Orange from the Center for Worker Education, follows. 12 – 2 p.m. Thursday, February 27, Aaron Davis Hall.

February 27 – 28, Fifth Annual “Is Hip Hop History?” Conference. Bringing together intellectuals, artists, students, admirers and detractors of the myriad expressive forms that constitute hip-hop for celebration and serious contemplation. Additional information at https://www.facebook.com/Ishiphophistory. 5 – 8:30 p.m. Thursday, February 27, and 5 – 9 p.m. Friday, February 28, Center for Worker Education, 7th Floor, 25 Broadway. Attendance fee: $20 for one day; $30 for both days. College students with valid ID: $10 for one day; $20 for both days.

The following City College entities are sponsoring and/or organizing Black History Month activities: African Student Union, Black History Month Student Committee, Black Male Initiative, Black Speech Media, Black Student Union, Black Studies Program, Caribbean Student Association, City College Center for the Arts, City College Human Rights Forum, City College Libraries, Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership, Division of Humanities and the Arts, Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, Office of Student Life & Leadership Development.

About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided low-cost, high-quality education for New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. More than 16,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture; the School of Education; the Grove School of Engineering; the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education, and the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. U.S. News, Princeton Review and Forbes all rank City College among the best colleges and universities in the United States.