Miami, Jan. 22, 2018 – Every year, Miami Dade College (MDC) celebrates Black Heritage Month with an array of community and educational activities at each of its eight campuses.
College administrators believe students, as well as the community at large, should be mindful of the contributions made by black Americans throughout this country’s history, both past and present.
Below is a list of some Black Heritage Month activities being held at MDC’s various campuses. For a complete list, visit: https://www.bluetoad.com/view/miami-dade-college/black-heritage
Black Heritage Month Showcase
Wednesday, Jan. 31, Noon – 1 p.m.
Join the launch of Black Heritage Month to celebrate contributions that impact all lives and find inspiration to make a difference in today’s world. There will be food trucks, marching band music and other performances.
Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Kyriakides Plaza
305-237-3193
Out Loud Artistry
Thursday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Come celebrate the opening of Black Heritage Month with Out Loud Artistry (OLA). Founded in 2009, OLA is a performing arts training and mentoring program with a mission to use the arts as means to inspire social change. Through their signature blend of performing arts training and mentorship, OLA trains artists to engage, educate and empower communities. OLA equips artists of every level with the skills necessary to become art practitioners and activists.
Homestead Campus, 500 College Terrace, Café Patio
305-237-5555
Poetry/Spoken Word Event
Thursday, Feb. 1, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Live Poets’ Society- West Campus Presents: “Words of Resistance: From Slavery to Hip-Hop.”
West Campus, 3800 N.W. 115th Ave., Room 1102
305-237-8918
Joyful Gospel and Praise Extravaganza
Friday, Feb. 2, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
This showcase of gospel music and praise dance will feature a variety of local recording artists and dancers along with the Miami Dade College Gospel Ensemble.
Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Room 1261
305-237-3193
African-American Read-In
Monday, Feb. 5, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Presented by English and Communications, IMPACT, Student Life and the Florida Center for the Literary Arts, the National African-American Read-In initiative is endorsed by the International Reading Association, where each year a documented number of more than one million readers from throughout the nation pay homage to African-American literature and writers’ contributions to reading and literacy. The goal of the African-American Read-In is to connect students to culturally relevant text and foster a cross-cultural understanding by establishing co-curricular alignment with MDC’s Learning Outcomes. Students will actively participate in this national celebration of literacy, as well as an on-campus service learning project focusing on environmental sustainability and civic responsibility.
Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, 6300 N.W. Seventh Ave., Multipurpose Room 1103
305-237-1900
Heart Disease Awareness/Diabetes Screening
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Students, staff and faculty will have the opportunity to learn about heart disease in the African American community. Free diabetes screenings will be available.
Medical Campus, 950 N.W. 20th St., Student Life Lounge
305-237-4000
Soul Fest
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
A celebration of black culture featuring an African dance ensemble and various vendors.
Hialeah Campus,1776 W. 49th Street, Campus Grounds
305-237-8700
Storytelling Throughout the Diaspora
Thursday, Feb. 8, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication. The storytelling extravaganza will entail performances from one of South Florida’s most talented storytellers from the African diaspora. Hosted by Janey Richards.
Hialeah Campus, 1776 W. 49th Street, Room 5101-A
305-237-8700
The Historic Hampton House: Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and All the Jazz Greats Stayed Here
Friday, Feb. 9, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Just up from the street from the InterAmerican Campus is one of the most historically significant buildings in Miami’s rich history- the Hampton House. Saved from demolition and restored to its glory, participants will get to see where the jazz club was, where the greats relaxed and where the Miami chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) had its weekly meetings throughout the 1950s and ‘60s. Hosted by Glenda Phipps
Hampton House, 4240 NW 27th Ave.
305-237-6000
African-Americans in Times of War: A Discussion by Dr. Anthony Atwood
Thursday, Feb. 15, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Retired Navy officer, noted FIU history professor and founder of the soon-to-open Military Museum adjacent to Zoo Miami, Dr. Anthony Atwood will discuss the unique experiences and contributions of African-Americans in times of war with a special emphasis on South Floridians.
Hosted by Walter Anders
InterAmerican Campus, 627 S.W. 27th Ave., Room 3103
305-237-6000
We Were There: Voices of African-American Veterans from World War II to the War in Iraq
Friday, Feb. 16, 10 – 11 a.m.
Author and NYU journalism professor Yvonne Latty will discuss her book We Were There: Voices of African-American Veterans from World War II to the War in Iraq. Latty’s book has sparked discussion in communities across America because it captures the unique experiences of more than two dozen veterans and highlights the importance of recording their stories. This book is a tribute to their dedication and service.
North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27th Ave., Room 2151
305-237-1000
Gospel Explosion and Soul Food Tasting
Saturday, Feb. 24, 3-7 p.m.
The 12th anniversary of Gospel Explosion will feature a mass choir in addition to local and regional vocalists, choirs and gospel dance groups. It will be an afternoon of electrifying and inspiring sounds of southern gospel, gospel hip hop and praise music. The event will conclude with a delicious soul food tasting.
North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27th Ave., Lehman Theater
305-237-1000
Step Show
Saturday, Feb. 24, 5 p.m.
A step show that will showcase cultural awareness through the art and history of stepping.
Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th St., Building 6, Room 6120
305-237-2000
Veteran Panel
Monday, Feb. 26, 10-10:50 a.m.
Service members will share some of their experiences in the military.
West Campus, 3800 N.W. 115th Ave., Room 1102
305-237-8918
Cancer Awareness
Monday, Feb. 26, Noon – 1 p.m.
Students, staff and faculty will have the opportunity to learn about high rates of cancer in the African-American community and hear from a cancer survivor.
Medical Campus, 950 N.W. 20th St., Student Life Lounge
305-237-4200
The Path We Tread: Black Nurses and Their Contribution to Society
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 9.50 – 11:05 a.m.
Dr. Anita Pittman will discuss the contributions of black nursing pioneers along with her personal perspective on black nurses and their contributions to society.
Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, 6300 N.W. Seventh Ave., Room 1109
305-237-1900
BMI Induction
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
The Black Male Initiative (BMI) has improved the graduation rate of black males at the Homestead Campus by more than 300 percent. The third annual Black Male Induction serves to celebrate and affirm the leadership, service and academic excellence of those involved in BMI. This event will be formal, banquet-style with a dynamic guest speaker to charge and empower BMI inductees.
Homestead Campus, 500 College Terrace, F222
305-237-5555
Black Music
Tuesday, Feb. 27, Noon – 1 p.m.
A panel composed of local producers, music majors and musicians will provide insight on how to better network in America as a minority in the music industry.
Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th St., Building R, Room 402/403
305-237-2000