FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2008
Media Contact: Michael Corby 904.632.3310

Black History Month events at Florida Community College at Jacksonville

Campus: Downtown | North | Kent | South

The nation’s first Black History celebration was established by Black historian and scholar Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and for many years was designated as the second week in February. In 1976 it was expanded to an entire month as part of the American Bicentennial Celebration. Once again Florida Community College is offering a wide variety of events in recognition of Black History Month. Listed events are free and open to the public.

Downtown Campus
101 W. State St.

“Vignettes of African-Americans Past and Present.” Distinguished professors emeriti Rose Russell and Del Carter present vignettes of African Americans, well known and little known, past and present, through live drama, literature, music and dance. Feb. 5, 10 am and Feb. 13, 6 p.m., Bldg. A-Lobby.

“Genealogy: In the Beginning.” Presenter: Laura Minor, Librarian. Interested in genealogy but don’t know how to begin? It’s not as hard as it seems! Join in and learn how to use the basic tools and resources for researching your family. Feb. 7, noon, Bldg. C, Room 123.

“Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO).” The Jacksonville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored people (NAACP), the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization is sponsoring the 31 Annual ACT-SO competition. Through this competition students compete locally and nationally to receive medals and scholarships. Students must be enrolled in grades 9–12 and be an amateur in the category of competition. There are five categories of competition: Sciences, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts and Business. Feb. 10, 3 p.m., Bldg. A, Room 1068.

“Poetry Past and Present.” Facilitator Terri Staten. A spoken-word poetry event honoring African American History and Culture. Featuring Terri “Kami” Staten, author of “Personal Notes of Poetry – Pain is Pink.” Please join us for an open-mike poetry reading which will include faculty, student and guest poets. Feb. 12, noon, Bldg. C, Room 123.

“Defeating Diabetes.” There are 17 million people in the United States who have diabetes. An estimated 11.1 million have been diagnosed, unfortunately, 5.9 million people are not aware that they have the disease. Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the United States. Approximately 13 of all African Americans have diabetes. Come join us as we explore this disease through lecture with open Q & A and free comprehensive screenings including glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure with the thought and focus on Defeating Diabetes. Feb. 13, 10 a.m., Bldg. A-Lobby.

“Human Rights Poster Exhibit.” In conjunction with Black History Month, Student Life and Leadership will house a very unique poster exhibit depicting acts of prejudice and hatred and subsequent forgiveness. The poignant images portrayed on these works of art celebrate the human spirit and the power of forgiveness. This human rights campaign is a beautiful expression of the rights and responsibilities we as human beings all share. Feb., 19, noon, Library.

Book Forum: “Come on People, Victims to Victor.” A book forum and student discussion group on the newly released book, “Come on People, Victims to Victors” by Bill Cosby. Prior reading is not necessary to attend. Feb. 20, 11 a.m., Library and Feb. 21, 10 a.m., Library.

“Gospel Glory Concert.” Florida Community College Downtown Campus Gospel Chorale will present a series of traditional African-American Gospels. The student group is under the leadership of Professor Cedric Williams, Chorale Director. Feb. 22, 7 p.m., Bldg. A, Room 1068.

“Great Debate: Come on People, From Victims to Victors.” The Great (Student) Debates: Who’s Right? – “Come On People”/ Cosby or “Is Bill Cosby Right?” with Michael Eric Dyson. Feb. 26, 6 p.m. and Feb. 27, 11 a.m. Bldg. A, Room 1068.

North Campus
4501 Capper Road

Ongoing: Art Exhibit—Jacksonville Consortium of African American Artists, “Inspirations:” Inspired By The Harlem Renaissance.” Bldg. D, Room 301 (Library, third floor). The exhibit continues through Feb. 14.

Ongoing: Book and poster display tying into Black History Month, through February. The North Campus Library is located on the third floor of building D in room D-301. Hours are Monday and Wednesday from 7:30a.m.–10 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m.–9 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

“Unity Wreath” To celebrate our differences and at the same time show that everyone is not so unlike. Participants will trace their hand on a sheet of paper and then use five words to describe themselves. Example: mother, sister, daughter, student, nurse, etc. The hands will then be linked together to form a wreath which will be hung in Enrollment Services during February. Unity Wreath – Mon, Feb. 11 to Thurs, Feb. 14 in front of the Café.

“Something to Talk About” part of a series of academic discussions, this time with Brenda Jackson, romance author. Jackson is the first African-American author to have a book published under the Harlequin/Silhouette Desire line of books and the first African-American romance author to make USA Today's Bestseller's List. Feb. 11, 11 a.m., Library.

“Sparky Rucker: Music and Commentary. Internationally acclaimed James “Sparky” Rucker is recognized as a leading folklorist, historian, musician, storyteller, and author who has been singing songs and telling stories from the American tradition for over 35 years. Feb. 14, 10 a.m., Bldg. E, Room 235.

“Sean Smith, singer/songwriter.” Through his music, singer/guitarist Sean Smith helps us to explore the human condition and reach peaceable resolve through education, effort and love. Feb. 20, 11:30 a.m., Bldg. E, Room 235.

“Little Rock 50 Years Later,” Presented by Professor John Taylor. A student at Little Rock Central High School, the first public school in the South to integrate in 1957, John Taylor was forced to pursue his high school diploma outside of the traditional school setting after his school closed following riots. Now a Chemistry and Earth Science professor at Florida Community College’s North Campus, Taylor uses clips of news reports, the HBO documentary “Little Rock 50 Years Later,” “The Ernest Green Story” and “Crisis at Central High” to help frame the story of a traumatic time in our nation’s history. Feb. 27, 11 a.m., Bldg. E, Room 235.

Kent Campus
3939 Roosevelt Blvd.

“The Blue and Gray in Black and White with Sparky Rucker.” Music and commentary. Internationally acclaimed James “Sparky” Rucker is recognized as a leading folklorist, historian, musician, storyteller, and author who has been singing songs and telling stories from the American tradition for over 35 years. Accompanying Sparky is wife Rhonda, playing blues harmonica, piano, banjo, and creating wonderful vocal harmonies. Whether Rucker is in uniform as a Union soldier or in his cowboy hat, he takes the audience on an educational and emotional journey that ranges from poignant stories of slavery and war to witty commentaries on current events. Visit Sparky and Rhonda Rucker’s Web site for more information. Feb. 11, 12:30 p.m., Bldg. G-Stage.

“Unity Wreath” To celebrate our differences and at the same time show that everyone is not so unlike. Participants will trace their hand on a sheet of paper and then use five words to describe themselves. Example: mother, sister, daughter, student, nurse, etc. The hands will then be linked together to form a wreath which will be on display during February. Unity Wreath – Feb. 11–14.

South Campus
11901 Beach Blvd.

Poetry Reading. Feb. 5, 12:30 p.m., Bldg. G, Room 101.

“The Blue and Gray in Black and White with Sparky Rucker.” Music and commentary. Internationally acclaimed James “Sparky” Rucker is recognized as a leading folklorist, historian, musician, storyteller, and author who has been singing songs and telling stories from the American tradition for over 35 years. Accompanying Sparky is wife Rhonda, playing blues harmonica, piano, banjo, and creating wonderful vocal harmonies. Whether Rucker is in uniform as a Union soldier or in his cowboy hat, he takes the audience on an educational and emotional journey that ranges from poignant stories of slavery and war to witty commentaries on current events. Visit Sparky and Rhonda Rucker’s Web site for more information. Feb. 13, noon, Wilson Center.

Film/Black History theme. (Title TBA). Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m., Bldg. G, Room 101.

“Sean Smith, singer/songwriter.” Take a pinch of Counting Crows, a teaspoon of Dylan, stir in some Indigo Girls, and a dash of Tracy Chapman, and you round out Sean Smith pretty well. The Tennessee singer/songwriter performs close to 200 nights a year from coast to coast. He has shared the stage with folk sensations such as Janis Ian, Leo Kottke, Jack Williams, Lucy Kaplansky, Michelle Malone, and pop superstar John Mayer. His second album, "Live @ Eddie's Attic," mixes a rich earthy vocal tone and passionate lyrical style with soulful acoustic accompaniment for a very unique and pleasantly original sound. Feb. 26, noon, Café.