Gadsden State Community College will celebrate Black History Month with a number of events this February. Gadsden State Cherokee will provide a mixed media display showcasing the contributions of influential African American authors, musicians, political figures, civil rights activists, females in healthcare, and inventors. A movie viewing of the PBS documentary Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson will be held February 10 in Room 142 at 11 a.m. with free popcorn for moviegoers. The movie details the life of Johnson, the first African-American boxer to claim the title of Heavyweight Champion of the World. February 16-20 will feature the iconic story of Gee’s Bend, highlighting the ferry service and Freedom Quilting Bee. The Bee and ferry service in Gee’s Bend, located in Wilcox County, Alabama, became an important part of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. The ferry service was eliminated by local authorities to prevent residents from traveling to the county seat to register to vote. The artwork of the handmade quilts made by residents has been on display throughout the U.S. and at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
The Valley Street Campus and HBCU/Title III Program will host two events this year. The annual “Black History Reading Tour” is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11 in the eight elementary schools within the Gadsden City School System. Gadsden State staff members will visit 3rd grade students in each of the schools to share the significance of Black History through selected books. Gadsden State alum, Mayor William Bell of Birmingham, will be the keynote speaker for “A Journey Through Black History” on Tuesday, February 17 at 3 p.m. in the Valley Street Student Center. He will share his personal journey as an African American in politics and his reflections of the Selma to Montgomery March of 1965. Mayor Bell has served as the 33rd mayor of Birmingham since 2010; after having served several terms on the Birmingham City Council becoming the first African-American to serve as President of the Council.
Gadsden State Student Activities will feature the stand-up comedy of Joe Deuce with two shows in Anniston—Monday, February 16 in the Ayers Campus Computer Science Auditorium at 6 p.m. and in the McClellan Center Library Tuesday, February 17 at 10:30 a.m. Deuce was crowned “Funniest Comedian in Lexington” by Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington, Kentucky in 2013. He is currently touring the country as the host of the college comedy game show “Dash For Dollars” and has performed in over 25 states and at more than 50 colleges. Student Activities will also hold “Top Ten Talents” auditions February 9-13 at various campus locations.
In addition to the events recognizing Black History Month, various general community events are also being offered. Veterans Upward Bound will host a financial literacy workshop for veterans February 4 at the Ayers Campus at 1 p.m. and Tech Tuesday February 17 at 11 a.m.at both the Ayers and Wallace Drive campuses.
The Technical Education Division will observe National Career & Educational Month with daily college-wide tributes to technical faculty in line with the theme of “Recognizing Classroom Innovators.” National Court Reporting and Captioning Week will be observed February 15-21. The Office of Careers Services will host a Health Sciences Employment Fair at Helderman Hall February 24 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Wallace Drive Campus.
The Cardinal basketball and softball teams will play host to several ACCC teams during the month. Basketball games scheduled for Beck Field House include: Marion Military (Feb. 2); Lawson State (Feb. 12); Shelton State (Feb. 16) and Southern Union (Feb. 23). The Lady Cardinals Softball Team has two home games scheduled at the GSCC Softball Complex; West Georgia Tech (Feb. 7) and Roane State (Feb 17).
In recognition of Financial Aid Month, three free financial aid workshops for high school seniors and their parents will be hosted by the Financial Aid Office, TRIO Programs (Educational Talent Search/Upward Bound), and Gadsden State Cherokee. The first workshop will be held at the Inzer Hall Small Auditorium on the Wallace Drive Campus in Gadsden on Tuesday, February 17 at 6 p.m. Two additional workshops will be held in Centre on February 24 at 11 a.m. and February 26 at 6 p.m. Both sessions will be held in Room 130 at Gadsden State Cherokee.
Community members are welcome to attend any of the scheduled events.
For more information about Black History Month events contact the Public Relations and Marketing Office at 256-549-8223.
Visit the News & Events section on the Gadsden State homepage at www.gadsdenstate.edu for additional information about other events to be announced later.