News Flash

Source: Dallas College

February is the annual recognition of the 400-plus year history of African Americans in the United States. The month-long Black History Month celebration at Dallas College’s seven campuses includes events designed to reflect on the struggles and contributions African Americans have made to science, art, literature, politics and other facets of life.

But this year’s events, go beyond slavery, Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Act. Noted television journalist and host of “News One Now,” Roland Martin is the keynote speaker. He will discuss a renewed commitment to social justice issues as part of the struggle for equality in employment, housing, voting, education and other matters. “The Black Vote and the Future of Black America” takes place at 2 p.m., Feb. 24. Please be sure to register and check out the following snapshot of other Dallas College Black History Month 2021 activities. A link to all events can be found here. All events are virtual and free, unless otherwise noted:
 

• Monday, Feb. 1, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Black History Month Kick-Off:  Verzuz - A Celebration of Black Music An interactive music competition follows the Verzuz battle format made popular during quarantine. Two college executives will go head-to-head playing their favorite popular Black music from the decades. Throughout the event, participants may weigh in on their favorite songs. (The event repeats on Feb. 18.)
• Tuesday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., HBCU Transfer Fair At this virtual event, Historically Black Colleges and Universities allow transfer students the opportunity to connect with university representatives from several HBCUs to learn more about the respective institutions.
• Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Historically Speaking: Four Hundred Souls – A Conversation with Noted Scholars Ibram Kendi and Keisha N. Blain Kendi, author of “How to Be an Antiracist,” and Blain, author of “Set the World on Fire,” have assembled a group of extraordinary writers to document the 400-year journey of African Americans from 1619 to the present. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., Afro Beats Fitness Workout Fluffy-N-Fitness is a high intensity, low impact Afro-Caribbean dance fitness format that incorporates "empathetic movements to maximize fat burn with focus on abs and core." It encourages individual weight loss and better health by promoting self-acceptance and self-love. 
• Thursday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Guest Speaker: Dale H. Long Conversation with Long, a witness to the 16^th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama (1963). Moderated by Dallas College Mountain View Campus history professor Mark Green. Dallas College History Professor Dr. Malcolm Frierson will offer remarks on behalf of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).  
• Friday, Feb. 5, all day, Dallas College Virtual Unity Walk Participate to demonstrate support of the Black community and in remembrance of the many challenges faced by the Black community in 2020. Participants may photograph themselves engaging in a Unity Walk to promote social justice, equity, inclusion, and unity. Photos may be submitted to be used in a video montage on Dallas College social media platforms. 
• Saturday, Feb. 6, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Courthouse Research: Using Probate Records to Research Enslaved Ancestors Noted genealogist LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson will share best practices in using probate and other estate records to identify potential slaveholders. If you have identified the names of ancestors born during slavery and have stalled in your research, this lecture may help you to break through the 1870 brick wall. 
• Monday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. to noon, Money Monday Seminar - Financial Literacy Part 1 In this ever-changing socioeconomic environment everyone should have a sound financial plan. Part 1: the importance of credit.
• Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., Young Entrepreneurship Panel Dallas-Fort Worth entrepreneurs offer students insight into launching their own businesses. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., A Healthy Conversation Health, Wealth and the Community: a discussion about the mental and physical experiences of African Americans as it relates to the American health system. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., What’s Cooking Wednesday Series Demonstrations on cooking African American dishes.
• Thursday, Feb. 11, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., “The Talk” A panel discussion on “The Talk” guiding individuals on how to interact with law enforcement and other authority figures. 
• Thursday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., In Dialogue: Social Smithsonian Objects and Social Justice, Race and Medicine Educators from the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian discuss how historical objects from their respective collections speak to today’s social justice issues. They will discuss race and medicine as represented by related objects.
• Monday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m., Money Monday Seminar - Financial Literacy Part 2 In this ever-changing socioeconomic environment everyone should have a sound financial plan. Part 2: budgeting and financial literacy.
• Wednesday, Feb. 17, 11 a.m. to noon, What’s Cooking Wednesday Series Demonstration of how to cook African American dishes. 
• Friday, Feb. 19, all day, African American Read-In: Celebrating Black Authors Commemorates books written by black authors that elevate Black experiences. We are partnering elementary schools in Dallas ISD to virtually read books written by Black authors depicting Black identity and positive representation of the Black community.
• Thursday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., Navigating Communication and Professionalism in the Workplace A panel of young professionals discuss respectability, politics, communication and professionalism in the workplace.
• Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., The Stories Behind the Headlines: The Fight for Social Justice in Education During the Civil Rights Movement Dallas College professors will explore lesser known figures in the fight for equality including Ruby Bridges, The Little Rock 9, Adkin High School in Kinston, NC, Prince Edward County Schools in 1959. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m., Afro Beats Dance Fitness: Shake Body Fitness A dance fitness cardio workout that includes salsa, hip hop and Afrobeat.
• Wednesday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Keynote Speaker Roland Martin: The Black Vote and the Future of Black America (Details listed above).