Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), a Maricopa Community College, kicked off its Black History Month this week at an opening event that included a welcome from Dr. Brian Tippett and an overview of the month from Reginald Lemay. Black History Month honors and celebrates African American culture and showcases contributions made to American culture by African Americans. It will feature an art exhibition, a community celebration, a luncheon honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, films with African American themes, a career panel for students to learn more about possible career paths and other opportunities to learn about Black history and culture.
Art exhibit featuring work of artist and educator Jenita Landrum, Monday, February 7- Tuesday, March 1
As part of the campus celebration, the College will feature work by nationally and internationally known artist and educator Jenita Landrum. Her one-woman visual art show, Perceptions of Identity: Race, Class and Gender, will be exhibited on campus in Estrella and Komatke Halls.
Ms. Landrum’s installation work often revolves around perceptions of identity, race, class and gender. It examines questions related to personal and social identity, space, confinement and containment.
Born in Jackson, Michigan, Ms. Landrum received a bachelor of fine arts degree in drawing at Arizona State University in Tempe and a master of fine arts degree in painting and drawing at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, and where she serves Maricopa Community College district with positions as an adjunct art instructor at both Glendale Community College and Phoenix College, and a transition program advisor at Rio Salado College.
Two art walks will be held in conjunction with the exhibit, one on February 8 from 6:00-8:00 p.m., and the other on February 11 from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., beginning in the Center for Teaching and Learning, in Montezuma Hall. The artist will give a brief lecture on both dates.
Consistent with her longstanding dedication as educator, Ms. Landrum will also work with students on the EMCC campus to encourage their exploration of their own identity which will result in student artwork incorporating their discoveries.
“Moving the Dream Forward” (Black History Month community celebration), Saturday February 12, 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m., EMCC Ceremonial Plaza
Families and friends from Avondale and surrounding communities are welcome to attend this event. Activities will feature cultural or multicultural performances, including rhythmic music with dance, children’s play areas, African art, hot dogs, hot links, fish fry and ethnic foods, literature related to Black history and local vendors of ethnic foods and clothing.
This city-wide celebration is held to provide the community with education and awareness. It is sponsored by the Southwest Black History committee at EMCC and the City of Avondale. For more information about this event, contact Linda Cutright, 623 935 8827.
MLK Luncheon, Wednesday, February 16, noon, Community Room
The luncheon will commemorate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. with an emphasis on the importance of his message in our communities today. The event is open to the public and will include a community speaker; RSVP required. For more information, contact Herschel Jackson at 623 935 8910.
Featured films
Each movie will be followed by a discussion or panel presentation to exchange ideas and share experiences. Members of the EMCC Black Students’ League (BSL) participated in selecting the films.
Musical documentary film: Soundtrack of a Revolution, Wednesday, February 9, 10:00 a.m. – noon, Plaza Gallery
This film showcases the songs that fueled the civil-rights movement in the United States.
Film selections, Wednesday, February 23, 10:00 a.m. – noon, Plaza Gallery
Clips from Spike Lee’s “School Daze” and “Black Greek Organizations: The Foundation,” followed by a discussion of the role of African American sororities and fraternities in African American culture.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career Panel, Thursday, February 24, noon-2:30 p.m., Plaza Gallery
A panel of African American scientists, engineers, technologists and health-care providers will share information about their academic and professional careers, describe their work environments and typical work days, and answer questions from students.
For more information about Black History Month activities, call 623 935 8827.
Black History Month is presented by the Southwest Black History Committee, the City of Avondale Mayor and Council and the EMCC International Education Department. Event sponsors include Black Student Union, Northwest Black History Committee Community, Walmart and Food City.