Collin College is celebrating Black life, history and culture through a variety of events honoring African American History Month.
The month-long celebrations will educate and inform about embracing unity and diversity. The theme of this year’s African American History Month is “A Century of Black Life, History and Culture” and throughout the month of February the college is showcasing panels, presentations and discussions about the history of Black life and notable achievements in Black history and culture.
Community members, students, faculty and staff are invited to attend and volunteer at events. In addition to presentations, students, faculty and the Collin County community can participate through film screenings, interpretive dance, luncheons and guest speakers at the Spring Creek, Preston Ridge and Central Park Campuses.
The roots of African American History month stem from author and journalist Dr. Carter G. Woodson who first initiated National Negro Week in 1926, choosing February because Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas both had February birthdays. The U.S. government officially recognized African American History Month in 1976 and declared that the month serves to remind Americans to remember the significant contributions and accomplishments of African Americans.
There are a plethora of resources about African American history at the Collin College libraries. Visit Collin College’s African American History Month website at iws.collin.edu/aah/links.html or www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/ to learn more and iws.collin.edu/aah/events.html for a complete listing of events.