College Presents Activities for African American History Month in February

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: December 31, 2008

CONTACT: Lisa Saunders

(845) 574 - 4244

SUNY Rockland Community College Presents Activities For
African American History Month in February

Suffern, NY - SUNY Rockland Community College and the African American History Month Committee are presenting events in honor of African American History Month celebrated nationwide in February. All of the following events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

February 1 – February 28

Exhibit:  Three African American Masters

Art Underground (Second Floor), Library Media Center

Admission: Free

Selected works of 20th century artists Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence and Charles White will be on exhibit. 

February 1 – February 28

Ebony:  Comparing the Past & Present

Atrium, Cultural Arts Center

Admission: Free

An exhibition of select Ebony covers from the 1970s to the present depicts the effect African Americans have had on politics, business, entertainment and sports.

Tuesday, February 3

Building Blocks for Success After College:  The Importance of Being Actively Involved In and Out of the Classroom

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Room 3214, Student Union

Lunch will be served.

Admission: Free

A panel of college graduates will discuss their experiences in college, as well as, how their participation in the college setting, gave them courage and the needed skill sets to successfully compete in the world of work.  Discussion will center on the value of being an active participant (as a college student) in a global society. 

Thursday, February 5

Masters Lecture & Reception

7:00 p.m., Rotunda, Library Media Center

Admission: Free

Ian White will lecture on the contributions of Bearden, Lawrence, and his father, Charles White.

Tuesday, February 10

A Mighty River:  Contributions of Peoples of the African Diaspora to the Economic Development along the Lower Hudson River

Co-Sponsored by:  The CEJJES Institute, The African American Historical Society of Rockland and The Rockland African Diaspora Heritage Center

Session I:  10:00 a.m.  – Noon, Cultural Arts Theater

Session II:  2:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Cultural Arts Theater

Admission: Free

The program, which is part of the New York State Hudson River Quadricentennial, will be in two parts:  Session I for students in grades 7-9 (by reservation only), and Session II will be for the college community and the general public.  Both events will feature lectures, dramatic interpretation, music and exhibits that tell the little known story of how the labor of black people, from the 1600’s to the early 20th Century, helped the Hudson River communities to flourish.

For further Information, contact: (845) 362-8610

Snow Date:  Tues., February 26

Tuesday, February 10 & Wednesday, February 11

Black Achievement Awards

7:30 p.m., Cultural Arts Theater

Admission: Free

"Black Achievement" celebrates academic achievement, outstanding participation and accomplishment of local children of color in the categories of community service, artistic expression, athletic ability and accomplishment, leadership activity and personal triumph and success.

For further Information, contact: (845) 574-4700/786-2392

Snow Dates:  Tues., February 24 & Wed., February 25

Mamie Till:  A Mother’s Cry for Justice

Co-Sponsored by:  Performing Arts Department

7:30 p.m., Cultural Arts Theater

Admission: Free

Carolyn Evans’ one-woman show is based on a mother’s response to the lynching of her 14 year-old son, Emmet Till, in the racially charged 1950’s. Emmet Till’s tragic death sparked the movement for equality by shaking the sensibilities of those who had previously been watching the movement from the "sidelines."  It mobilized them to join with others in marching and boycotting for the civil rights of all Americans.

Saturday, February 21

SOL (Solidify Our Legacy) Film Festival:  Short Independent Works

For further Information, contact: (845) 675-8044, or visit www.shadesrep.com

Tuesday, February 24

Delicacies of the African Diaspora

Sponsored by: The African Club

12:30 – 1:30 p.m., Room 3214, Student Union

Admission fee: $5.00

Eat and learn! A celebration of the many foods that represent different cultures within the African Diaspora.  It is also an opportunity to learn about the Diaspora and its various cuisines. 

For further Information, contact: (845) 574-4162

Thursday, February 26

Genocide in Africa:  Causes, Constructs, Consequences (Rwanda, Sudan and Darfur)

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Ellipse (Room 8180), Technology Center

Admission: Free

Dr. Richard Hull, an African Studies Professor at NYU, will examine the causes of genocide starting with the pre-colonial era and colonialism while exploring the process of power transfers and decolonization. This includes the impact of foreign interventions, the effects of globalization and implementation of state-sponsored genocide. Dr. Hull will also assess the immediate and long-term consequences of genocide on the affected countries, regions and the world. 

Bridge Event To Women’s History Month

Wednesday, February 25

Book Talk:  Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Noon – 1:30 p.m., Room 3217, Student Union

Admission: Free

This book talk and discussion will be led by April C. Logan, Visiting Instructor and Consortium for Faculty Diversity Scholar at Haverford College.  Ms. Logan will explore how Harriet Jacobs tests the limits of her gender, sexuality, and community to challenge notions of political recognition that conflate humanity and black masculinity.

For further information, contact members of the African American History Month Committee, Melissa Roy at (845) 574-4758, mroy@sunyrockland.edu, or Lisa Schachter, (845) 574-4396, lschacht@sunyrockland.edu

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Rockland Community College, a unit of the State University of New York, is located 25 miles northwest of NYC. The majority of its students transfer to four-year colleges, and many find immediate employment upon earning their associate's degree or certificate. The College also offers others, from preschoolers to senior citizens, the opportunity to simply learn something new. Quality education...at a price you can afford.