Miami, Jan. 27, 2017 – Every year, and, truly, year-round, 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 sampling of some of the dynamic and thought provoking Black Heritage Month activities being held at MDC’s various campuses. For a complete listing of activities, visit http://bluetoad.com/publication?i=379766
REWIND: Miami’s Color Line: Activists against Segregation
Every Tuesday and Thursday in February, noon – 1:30 p.m.
This presentation sponsored by the Florida Moving Image Archives shows vintage film of activists fighting to break down racial barriers in South Florida in the early 1960s, as well as unique television news footage featuring historic Overtown.
REWIND screenings are open to all and free of charge. Feel free to bring a snack or lunch.
Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Room 8401
305-237-3536
Kickoff Event: Storytelling throughout the African Diaspora
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication. Our Black Heritage Month storytelling extravaganza includes performances from South Florida’s most talented storytellers from the African diaspora. Presenters: Various storytellers and Tametria Harris (vocals)
Hialeah Campus, 1776 W. 49th St., Room 5101B
305-237-8736
Soul Food Demo
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.
Food and culture commentator and blogger Starex Smith, better known as the Hungry Black Man, presents a cooking demo of classic soul food favorites with a historical presentation about their origins. The presentation also includes demos from students from MDC’s hospitality program. Presenter: Ms. Glendora Phipps
InterAmerican Campus, 627 S.W. 27th Ave., Room 3103
305-237-6163
Finding Our Roots with Genetic Testing
Thursday, Feb. 2, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
What is race and how does it differ from ethnicity? Is it socially constructive to categorize the human race into separate races? Culture is defined in many ways and traditions can be traced back through the generations. In this event, the campus dean, student life director and Black Heritage Month committee members have agreed to take DNA tests to trace their ancestry back to its origin. Results will be discussed and lunch will be served. Presenter: Professor Nia Madison.
Homestead Campus, 500 College Terrace, Room F222
305-237-5065
A Timeline of the Abolition of Slavery in North, Central, South America and the Caribbean
Thursday, Feb. 2, 9:50 – 11:10 a.m.
Don’t miss this insightful lecture about Haiti’s contribution to the abolition of slavery in the Americas. From the cataclysmic slave revolt in St. Domingue (now Haiti) in the late 18th century that culminated with the final defeat of the French Army at the dawn of the 19th century and the creation of the first independent black republic in the world, we explore Haiti’s influence in the gradual abolition of slavery throughout the Caribbean and in North, Central and South America. Presenter: Mr. Jacques-Michel F. Lemoine.
InterAmerican Campus, 627 S.W. 27th Ave., Room 3103
305-237-6163
The Life and Poetry of Maya Angelou
Thursday, Feb. 2, 10 – 11a.m.
Participants will discover how overcoming personal hurdles and challenges through introspection and acceptance is noticeable in the autobiographical style of Maya Angelou’s literary work.
West Campus, 3800 N.W. 115th Ave., Room 1102
305-237-8904
Celebrating the Culture of Contemporary Gospel and Dance
Friday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
This extravaganza of gospel music and praise dance will feature a variety of local recording artists and dancers, along with our own Miami Dade College Gospel Ensemble.
Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. Second Ave., Room 1261
305-237-3536
African-American Read-In
Monday, Feb. 6, 10:00 a.m.
This year’s featured book will be Who Owns the Ice House?: Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur. The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program was developed by the
Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative in collaboration with Clifton Taulbert’s Building Community Institute and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Black Heritage Month is an opportune time for everyone to reflect on the contributions from the African-American entrepreneurial community.
North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27th Ave., Room 3249
305-237-1250
Black Enterprise
Thursday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
A panel discussion to promote professionalism, entrepreneurship and highlight the obstacles faced by many minority cultures in corporate America.
Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104th St., Building R, Room 402/403
305-237-2321
Gospel Explosion and Soul Food Tasting
Saturday, Feb. 11, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
The 10th anniversary of Gospel Explosion features a mass choir, as well as local and regional vocalists, choirs and gospel dance groups. Join us for an afternoon of electrifying and inspiring sounds of Southern gospel, gospel hip-hop and praise music. The event concludes with a delicious soul food tasting.
North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27th Ave., Science Complex Plaza
305-237-1250
What it’s Like to Be a Professional African-American Male in America
Wednesday, Feb. 15, noon -1:30 p.m.
To be a professional African-American male in corporate America can be very lonely. This discussion explores how back doctors, lawyers, journalists and other white-collar professionals navigate daily workplace challenges, as well negativity in the workforce.
Medical Campus, 950 N.W. 20th St., Room 1175
305-237-4213
Closing Event: Gospel Music at West
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The Mass Choir from St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church hosts a night of uplifting gospel music. Join us for a night of music, culture and fun. Refreshments will be served.
West Campus, 3800 N.W. 115th Ave., Room 1102
305-237-8904
Obama’s Presidency
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. – noon
The presidency of Barack Obama began at noon on Jan. 20, 2009, when he became the 44th President of the United States. Obama was elected into a second term in 2012, making him the 17th person to win two presidential elections. This presentation examines Obama’s presidency, including actions he took in each of his terms, as well as his impact on the economy and poverty.
Homestead Campus, 500 College Terrace, Room F222
305-237-5065
Building Resilience in African American Students
Wednesday, Feb. 22, noon – 1 p.m.
Come join the discussion and learn valuable tips on how to help African American students navigate college and home life. Presented by Cinnamon Key, LSW and owner of Jamilla Wellness.
Medical Campus, 950 N.W. 20th St., Student Life Lounge
305-237-4213
The National Crisis in Black Education
Thursday, Feb. 23, 9:50 – 11:05 a.m.
Dr. Marvin P. Dawkins, sociology professor from the University of Miami, examines the educational achievement gap between white students and black students in the U.S., which has barely narrowed over the last 50 years, despite nearly a half century of progress in race relations.
Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, 6300 N.W. Seventh Ave., Room 1109
305-237-1900
Jump Into History: Double Dutch
Thursday Feb. 23, 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Double Dutch has a clear association with black innercity youth. At this presentation, students have the opportunity to learn how to double dutch and its historical connection to Black-American history. Presenter: Marie Theodore-Pharel.
Hialeah Campus, 1776 W. 49th Street, Room 5101
305-237-8736
Mass Incarceration as an Extension of Slavery
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 11:40 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
Diretor Ava DuVernay takes a look at the amendment that abolished slavery in her film, 13th. The film zeroes in on the 13th Amendment’s exception clause, which states that slavery and involuntary servitude are illegal, “except as a punishment for crime.”
Carrie P. Meek Entrepreneurial Education Center, 6300 N.W. Seventh Ave., Atrium and Room 1103
305-237-1900