San Diego Community College District

The San Diego Community College District is celebrating Black History Month with a series of performances, exhibits, discussions, informational fairs, and more at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, along with San Diego Continuing Education. 

Among the upcoming events:

Thursday, February 2, from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.

‘Rosa Parks Birthday Recognition and Libation’
In honor of Black History Month, a short ceremony will be held at the San Diego Mesa College Rosa Parks Transit Bus Stop to honor the legacy of Mrs. Rosa Parks. The bus stop is located at east gateway entrance to Mesa College, corner of Mesa College Drive and Mesa College Circle. The bus stop was developed at the east gateway entrance to honor Rosa Parks, who had a special relationship with Mesa College and made several visits to the college in the early 1990s (Mrs. Parks’ birthday is Feb. 4).

San Diego Mesa College Rosa Parks Transit Bus Stop, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111

Saturday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

'Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Expo’
Local HBCU alumni are teaming with City College’s Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) and the campus Transfer/Career Center for a day of workshops, panel discussions, and more for those interested in transferring to a historically black college or university. Savannah State University, Howard University, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University are among the colleges and universities that will be represented. Register at hbcuexposandiego.eventbrite.com. Information: (619) 388-3722.

San Diego City College, Curran Plaza, 1313 Park Blvd., 92101

Wednesday, February 8, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

'Black Folks & the Blues'
Blues musician Dennard Clendenin will be discussing the history behind the African American community and blues music during this lecture and performance. Clendenin was featured in Lee Mun Wah’s 2003 film “Last Chance for Eden,” a documentary about racism, sexism and multiculturalism in America.

San Diego Mesa College, MC-211 A, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111

Thursday, February 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

'Impressions: African-American Artists and their Connection to African Art'
The San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery presents an exhibition of select works featuring African-American art by Andrea Chung, Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle, Robert Pruitt, and the Mesa College African Art Collection. This is an opening reception for an exhibit that runs through March 1. The gallery is in D101. Scott Robinson and the World Music Ensemble will perform. An artists’ lecture will follow the opening reception at 6:30 p.m. in G-102.

San Diego Mesa College, D-101, 7250 Mesa College Drive, 92111

Monday, February 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

'Black History Month Blood Drive'
San Diego City College will honor Black History Month by hosting a San Diego Blood Bank blood drive on campus. Walk-ins are welcome.

San Diego City College, AH/BT Upper Plaza, 1313 Park Blvd., 92101

Tuesday, February 21, from 6 to 9 p.m.

'Open Mic: Poets Speak Out’
Students, faculty, staff and the community are welcome to participate in or be in the audience for the annual Open Mic event. This year, a student winner will be chosen, whose piece of poetry will be performed by Dr. Ron McCurdy during the “Ask Yo Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz” performance on Monday, Feb. 27.

San Diego Mesa College, Room TBD, 7250 Mesa College Drive, 92111

Thursday, February 23, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

'An Afternoon with Sonia Sanchez'
Award-winning poet, writer and activist Sonia Sanchez – made famous for her revolutionary work in the 1960s – will speak to students, staff, faculty and the community. The event will also include student performances of poetry. Attendees are requested to RSVP to Judy Sundayo at jsundayo@sdccd.edu

San Diego Mesa College, MC-211 A/B, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111

Monday, February 27, 12:30 p.m.

'Kevin Powell'
Acclaimed writer, political activist, lecturer, and entrepreneur, Kevin Powell will be the featured Black History Month speaker at Miramar College. Powell appeared in the first season of MTV’s reality television series, The Real World: New York in 1992. He also is a frequent guest commentator on VH1, BET, and other media platforms about political and social justice issues.

San Diego Miramar College, K-107, 10440 Black Mountain Road, San Diego, 92126

Monday, February 27, from 7 to 9 p.m.

'Ask Yo Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz'
Dr. Ron McCurdy, music professor at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, will be performing Langston Hughes’ epic poem, "Ask Yo Mama," set to jazz music. In addition to performing this piece, he will also be taking the winning piece of student poetry from a campus Open Mic poetry event and performing it to jazz music during this concert.

San Diego Mesa College, G-101, 7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, 92111

All of the listed events are free and open to the public.

Black History Month, also known as National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.