February is Black History Month, and the Student Development Office has planned several events for students, faculty, staff, and the community.
We invite you to join us for one or more events! Links to virtual events will be added closer to the date of the event.
Coffee and Conversations Series
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The danger of a single story
Thursday, February 2
SSC 210 at 11 a.m.
Virtual at 3 p.m.
Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Join us in watching and discussing Novelist Chimamanda Adichie's TED Talk on the dangers of a single story.
Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice -- and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
The Opportunity Gap
Wednesday, February 8
SSC 210 at 11 a.m.
Virtual at 3 p.m.
Generally speaking, opportunity gap refers to inputs (the unequal or inequitable distribution of resources and opportunities), while achievement gap refers to outputs (the unequal or inequitable distribution of educational results and benefits). America prides itself on creating the opportunity for all citizens to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps.” We aspire to have a fair playing field and want every child to have the opportunity to succeed. There are strong indicators that we are not living up to our aspirations. Many communities and individuals are experiencing a tilted playing field. How can we respond?
Camille A. Brown: The history of African-American social dance
Thursday, February 23 at 11 a.m. in SSC 210 and at 3 p.m. via Zoom
Join us as we watch this TED Talk sharing the visual demonstration of African-American art celebrating history through social dance. Community dances started as a way for enslaved Africans to keep cultural traditions alive and retain a sense of freedom. They are not choreographed but are well known by communities, and are customized by individuals. Join the discussion about how social dance can be empowering.
Black, Fat, Femme: Loving Yourself Unapologetically in a World Where Loving Oneself Feels Impossible (*IVC Sponsored Event)
Wednesday, February 22 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at IVC
Hosts of the iHeartRadio show "The BFF: Black, Fat, Femme Podcast," Dr. Jonathan Higgins and Jordan Daniels, will engage in a talkback discussion about what their iHeartRadio encompasses and how it is a celebration of the intersections of marginalized identities. The core theme of this podcast is to understand how to love oneself unapologetically in a world where loving oneself feels impossible. Dr. Jonathan Higgins and Jordan Daniels will help provide a deeper understanding of what intersectionality is and how it not only shapes individuals but also larger systems and organizations.
Refreshments will be provided. RSVP required.
Black History Movie Series
"Till"
Tuesday, February 7
BGS 254 at 2 p.m.
The film explores the 1955 lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till through his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, and her relentless pursuit of justice. Following the death of her son, Mamie decided to have an open casket and asked a press photographer to document the funeral. The horrifying photographs showed the world how violent racial hatred was plaguing the U.S., which ultimately helped spark the civil rights movement.
Run Time: 2h 10 min. Rated PG-13
Screening of "Son of the South" and a talk with Director Barry Alexander Brown
Thursday, February 9 at 6 p.m. in SSC 212
In this poignant true story set in Montgomery, Alabama, a Klansman’s grandson must choose which side of history to be on during the Civil Rights Movement. Defying his family and white Southern norms, he fought against social injustice, repression and violence to change the world around him. SON OF THE SOUTH is from executive producer Spike Lee and based on Bob Zellner’s autobiography, “The Wrong Side of Murder Creek.” This screening is hosted by the International Languages Department.
Run Time: 103 minutes. Rated PG-13
"Selma"
Tuesday, February 14 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in BGS 254
Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for Blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Run Time: 2h 8 min. Rated PG-13
"Hidden Figures"
Thursday, March 2 at 6 p.m. in BGS 254
Start Women’s Herstory Month with a screening of Hidden Figures. The movie follows the true story of these three women, who all began their journey working at NASA as a part of the West Computers, a segregated group of African American women hired to process aeronautic data in the Space Race era.
Run Time: 2h 7 min. Rated PG
Campus Events
Black Student Association Interest Sessions
Monday, February 6 at 10 a.m. in SSC 212
and
Thursday, February 9 at 2 p.m. via Zoom
Are you a student, faculty, or staff member interested in starting a Black Student Association club at Saddleback College? Join us for this meet and greet and informational meeting on how to begin a club on campus.
Kahoot! Black History Month
Thursday, February 9 at 10 a.m. in SSC 212
Join the fun, learn something, and win prizes while playing Kahoot! We will explore topics from Black History Month Facts to Phenomenal Black Women Who Made History, you won't want to miss this interactive event.
Crafting on the Quad
Wednesday, February 15 and Thursday, February 16 from 10 am to 1 pm on the Quad
Celebrate Black History Month in a unique way by painting! Painting-by-number causes us to slow down and engage in a creative activity that contributes to a sense of calm. We will have kits that include Martin Luther King, Jr. (Minister and Civil Rights Leader), Rosa Parks (Civil Rights Activist), Michelle Obama (Attorney and First Lady of the United States), Coretta Scott King (Author, Activist, Civil Rights Leader), and more.
Spoken Word Poetry featuring Javon Johnson
Monday, February 27 at 1:30 p.m. in BGS 254
Javon Johnson -- a renowned spoken word poet -- is a three-time national poetry slam champion and a four-time national finalist. Javon is also the Director, African American & African Diaspora Studies and Associate Professor of Gender & Sexuality Studies at UNLV. Johnson’s research focuses on performance, blackness, African American literature, black pop culture, black feminist theory, black queer theory, masculinity studies, black sexualities, and ethnography.