Jan. 26, 2022 – Collin College will celebrate Black History Month with a series of events throughout February hosted by the Collin College Black American Awareness Committee (BAAC). This year’s theme is the national theme for 2022, “Black Health & Wellness.”
All events will follow COVID-19 safety protocols and are free and open to the public. The following events are planned for February:
Ending the Legacy of Racism in Medicine
Feb. 8, 10-11:15 a.m. (Virtual Via Zoom)
False biological concepts of race, structural racism, and conscious or unconscious racial bias all contribute to racial inequities in health. The medical profession has long defined disease and treated patients according to race. But race-based medicine can be traced back to false assumptions about innate biological differences and excuses for slavery and medical exploitation. Today, race-based medicine diverts attention and resources from the social determinants that cause appalling racial gaps in health. By understanding how racism has helped structure medical knowledge, practice, and policies, we can end this backward legacy and collectively build a more equitable and healthier society. Please join us for this special discussion with guest speaker Dr. Dorothy Roberts.
Auteur Film Series, “I Am Legend”
Feb. 10, 7 p.m., Angelika Theater, Plano
Immune to a virus that has killed or mutated most of the human population, Army virologist Robert Neville, the sole remaining human in New York City, works for a cure while fighting to survive.
Otherness: Racial Disparities in Health Care
Feb. 15, 2:30-3:45 p.m., Frisco Campus Conference Center
Faculty panelists will discuss historical and contemporary health topics such as the Tuskegee Study, beliefs that Black soldiers in the 1800s were immune to tropical diseases, and the case of Henrietta Lacks, whose cancer cells were taken without permission and used to generate the HeLa cell line. Panelists include professors Christopher Redgraves, John Glass, Amira Albalancy, and Felicia Avery.
“Black Men in White Coats” documentary film screening
Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. (Virtual)
View the documentary at the virtual screening hosted by Professor Shannon Kearns and Jameelah Barnett. The documentary virtual discussion will be on Feb. 28.
Registration Link for film
BAAC Heart & Soul Food Event Featuring Ronald Wilkins
Feb. 25, Noon, Wylie Campus Conference Center
This event is open to Collin College students, faculty, and staff. A lunch will be provided while supplies last. Entertainment will be provided by Ronald Wilkins: “The Life-Saving Power of Music: Jazz, Trombone, and COVID.”
Discussing the “Black Men in White Coats” Documentary
Feb. 28, 6 p.m. (Virtual discussion via Zoom)
This event is a follow-up to the screening session on Feb. 21. Ideally all participants have watched the documentary. Session will be facilitated by Dr. Marc Azard.
Registration Link for film discussion
For any questions about the Black History Month events, please contact Dr. Cathy Donald-Whitney at cwhitney@collin.edu. For more information on BAAC-sponsored and supported events, please visit www.collin.edu/community/aahm/.
Collin College serves more than 56,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, including new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity degrees. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and workforce development. For more information, visit www.collin.edu.