January 18, 2018 — Collin College will celebrate African-American History Month with a series of events throughout February. This year’s theme is “African Americans in Times of War: A Quest for Unity in Diversity.”
The following events are planned for February:
Feb. 1-28: “The Creative Mind: Organized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine” will be on display at Collin College’s Preston Ridge Campus Library throughout the month of February. This exhibition celebrates the contributions of African Americans to medicine, mathematics, engineering and all branches of science. It features the careers and achievements of some of today’s outstanding black scientists, engineers, mathematicians and medical professionals, and highlights the work of notable figures from the past.
Thursday, Feb. 1: The African American History Month interpretive performance event, “Creative Readings and Interpretive Performances,” will include a mix of creative performers, featuring award-winning poet and author Dr. Raquel Flowers Rivera. Each artistic performer will speak to the broad subject of African Americans during times of war by using their respective mediums. Performances will include song, dance and spoken word. The event will be from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 1 at the Spring Creek Campus Living Legends Conference Center.
Thursday, Feb. 8: Friends of McKinney Libraries and the Collin College African American History Month Committee will present Author Dr. Lee Martin “The Quakertown Story: The removal of an African-American community and the creation of Civic Center Park in Denton,” from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8 at the Central Park Conference Center. More information on the topic is available atwww.dentonhistory.net/page32/Quaker.html.
Thursday, Feb. 8: Collin College’s Auteur Film Series will present Queen of Katwe in conjunction with African American History Month, beginning at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8 at the Angelica Film Center, The Shops at Legacy, 7205 Bishop Road in Plano.
Tuesday, Feb. 13: Guest speaker Akintunde Funso will speak about his involvement in the Black Panther Party and will reflect on where society is today concerning race relations from 1-2:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Preston Ridge Conference Center.
Thursday, Feb. 15: Guest speaker Dr. Eric McDaniel will speak on “Race Wars: Incivility and Freedom of Speech on College Campuses,” from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Central Park Campus Conference Center.
Thursday, Feb. 15: Guest speaker Dr. Lora Burnett, a teaching fellow in history at The University of Texas at Dallas will present “Cultural Wars of 1980s” from 1-2:15 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Spring Creek Campus Living Legends Conference Center.
Friday, Feb. 23: The annual Collin College District Soul Food Luncheon is open to all Collin College students, faculty and staff. Bring a dish to share during this yearly time of fellowship and celebration. It is scheduled for Noon, Friday, Feb. 23 at the Central Park Conference Center.
Feb. 26-28: Student Engagement and the African American History Month committee through the Collin College’s Leadership in the Movies series will present three showings of Hidden Figures, with each presentation from 6-9 p.m. Hidden Figures is a film that features the incredible story of three African American female pioneers working at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. A moderated discussion of movie will follow. The showings are: Monday, Feb. 26 at Preston Ridge Conference Center;Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Central Park Campus Conference Center; and Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Spring Creek Campus Living Legends Conference Center. The Leadership in the Movies series is open to all Collin College students, faculty, and staff.
Contact Professor Cathy Donald-Whitney, AAHM District Chair at cwhitney@collin.edu with questions. Central Park Campus is located at 2200 W. University Drive in McKinney. Preston Ridge Campus is located at 9700 Wade Boulevard in Frisco. Spring Creek Campus is located at 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. Funding for the above events is provided in part by Collin College’s Student Activity Fee Advisory Committee (SAFAC).
Collin College serves more than 53,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates in a wide range of disciplines. The only public college in the county, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development. In addition, the college operates the Collin Higher Education Center, which serves 3,200 additional students each year in partnership with The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas Tech and the University of North Texas.