February 1, 2006 - Estrella Mountain Community College continues its commitment to diversity through a variety of inspiring, thought-provoking events during February's Black History Month celebration, themed "A Time to Reflect: Our Identity, Our History, Our Future." The college celebrates the accomplishments and spirit of the African-American community through annual events such as the Southwest Black History Committee Community Celebration and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon, as well as examines current issues and struggles through interactive discussions of Hurricane Katrina, and media portrayal of black men. Estrella Mountain will also host the unique and powerful photographic works of artist and ASU professor Stephen Marc throughout the month.The events are as follows:Walking in the Footsteps: Visual Exhibition by Stephen Marc February 1-28 Formal Reception and Art Walk with the Artist: February 9, 6:00 pm, Plaza GalleryThe college is honored to host the works of Stephen Marc, photographer and professor at Arizona State University's Herberger College of Fine Arts. This unique and powerful body of photographic montages explores the African Diaspora, and the personal discovery of Marc's African-American heritage through his research, visits, and photography of Underground Railroad sites. The visually stunning works are located in the college's museum-quality display cases in Komatke and Estrella Halls. To R.S.V.P., call 623.935.8583. For more information, call 623.935.8331Media and the Fear of the Black Man February 7, 10:00 am - 11:15 am, Center for Teaching and LearningProfessors Olga Tsoudis and Tanisha Maxwell lead students, faculty and community members in an open, interactive discussion and examination of the portrayal of Black Americans throughout history until today. Located in the college's state of the art Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 623.935.8934.Southwest Black History Committee Community Celebration - February 11 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Ceremonial PlazaPresented as a partnership between the Southwest Black History Committee and Estrella Mountain Community College, this family-centered community event invites participants to explore and celebrate the heritage, traditions, and culture of African-Americans through live entertainment, arts and crafts for children, food vendors, and an art display. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 623.935.8827.Priscilla's Homecoming - February 14, 11:30 am, Plaza GalleryJoyce Reese McCollum, co-administrator of the University of South Florida Africana Heritage Project, recaptures the Priscilla's Homecoming project, which traces the lineage of a 10-year-old girl kidnapped from Africa in 1756 and sold into slavery. The event is free and open to the public. For more information about the project, visit http://africanaheritage.com/Priscillas_Homecoming.asp. For more information about the event, call 623.935.8054.MLK Luncheon: The Legacy of Rosa Parks - February 15, 12:00 pm, Community RoomThis annual event honoring the enduring influence of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, will also focus on the legacy of civil rights leader, Rosa Parks, through an examination of her life and actions as a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement by keynote speaker Clay Dix, Arizona State University professor emeritus. Admission and lunch is $20.00, and all proceeds benefit scholarship funds for African-American students at Estrella Mountain. For more information, call 623.935.8910.African and Afrocentric Fashion Show - Feburary 16, 6:00 pm, Community RoomThis event, which is free and open to the public, features the traditional African and Afrocentric apparel collection of Lorraine Newman Oshelaja. For more information, call 623.935.8594.Hurricane Katrina Panel Discussion - February 21, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, CTLEstrella Mountain hosts an interactive discussion featuring a panel of community leaders, professors, and media representatives who will explore the economic and racial disparity exposed as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The discussion will include perspectives on the events, the role race and economic status played in relief response, media portrayals, and ways to begin healing as a nation in the aftermath of the devastating natural disaster. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 623.935.8054.Slave Narratives - February 27, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, CTLFaculty, staff and students will perform readings of slave narratives that document the individual and collective stories of African-Americans as they struggled for freedom and the most basic of human rights in the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 602.386.7192.For media, contact Nicole DeLeon, Office of Marketing and Public Relations, at 623.935.8056.Estrella Mountain Community College is located on Thomas and Dysart Roads in Avondale and offers transfer-ready academic courses and job-specific occupational training to more than 13,000 students annually. Estrella Mountain is part of the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. For more information visit www.estrellamountain.edu or www.maricopa.edu .
