DVC Celebrates Black History Month! February 2021

Black History Month Activities are co-sponsored by the Umoja Program, Associated Students of DVC, Children's Center Lab, ECE Department, English Department, Equity Speaker Series, Library, and Student Services. 

DVC Events

CARE/Wellness General Support Group for the Black Community

Tuesday, February 16, 4:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://4cd.zoom.us/j/5095818173 

Resources and support for the Black community. Join us for a time to process your thoughts and emotions, as well as receive helpful information.

Equity Speaker Series event - Indigeneity: Decolonize our World

Speaker: Jewelle Gomez - What Do We Mean By Home? Finding an imaginary place
Wednesday, February 17, 1-2:30p.m.; Register here

Jewelle Gomez (Cape Verdean/Ioway/Wampanoag) is a writer and activist and author of the double Lambda Award-winning novel, The Gilda Stories. Her fiction, essays, criticism and poetry have appeared in numerous periodicals. Among them: The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, The Village Voice; Ms Magazine, ESSENCE Magazine, The Advocate, Callaloo and Black Scholar.

In this event, the author will read from sections of the novel The Gilda Stories, discuss how they were conceived, and discuss how her own intersectional background informs her writing. Published in 1991, the book and the character have become cult favorites, tapping into contemporary societal concerns about racism, sexual assault, community building and abuses of power, while riding the wave of eternal life.

Black History Month Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon / Arts Edition

Monday, February 22, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom 

Participate in DVC’s 2nd annual Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon for Black History Month, and contribute to the world’s understanding of and access to Black History online. An edit-a-thon is an informal gathering of students, faculty, and staff who will create new and add to existing content on Wikipedia. This year’s edit-a-thon will focus on Black artists and arts.

Register by clicking here or visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/yyqkdsnl

ASDVC presents Step Afrika!'s Celebration of African-American History

Monday, February 24, 5:30 p.m.
Join the 4CD group viewing: https://4cd.zoom.us/j/97810316052?pwd=eW4wdEI0WFI0dzFtVjg1dFlmR0k3dz09   

The live Q & A will be provided Feb 24 at 6:30 pm PST with Members of Step Afrika! They will join the zoom meeting live from the Atlas Theatre to conduct the tutorial and do a Q&A.

The URL to the video will be provided via DVCsync after the event for viewing until Wednesday, March 3rd.

Step Afrika!'s Celebration of African-American History explores the richness and diversity of African-American life through the eyes of one of America’s most renowned dance companies. The event includes an approximately 40 minute dance viewing followed by a 30 minute live Zoom tutorial with your favorite Step Afrika dancers. The timed access allows for multiple viewings for 7 days beginning 5:30pm PST on Feb 24. For a sneak preview, please view the Step Afrika! promotional video. 

African American Childhood Stories and More

Available all month

Videotaped readings of children's stories are available here. (Contact: Martina Ebesugawa, ECE Faculty)

The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity

In celebration of this year’s Black History Month theme, The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, the DVC Library has curated a list of streaming films available to DVC faculty, staff, and currently registered students for viewing. 

Not in the mood to stream a film? Check out the library's list of ebooks in celebration of Black History Month.

If you need assistance in accessing any of these online resources, email the library. 

Happy viewing / reading! 

Black Lives Matter & Black History Month Research Guides

Available on the DVC Library website

The DVC Library has published a Black Lives Matter Research Guide and Black History Month Research Guide on the DVC library website. 

Umoja Community Events

The following events are for Umoja students only and will focus on building community among members of the Umoja program. To learn more about Umoja, please visit the Umoja website. 

  • Feb. 10, 3:00 - 5:00 pm: Umoja Movie Night 
  • Feb. 17, 4:00 - 5:00 pm: The Umoja Community Gathering 
  • Feb. 18, 3:30 - 5:00 pm:  Health and Wellness in the Black Community: A Cooking Demonstration - This event will be in collaboration with other Umoja programs in the region. This event will be videotaped and shared on the DVC Food Pantry website. 
  • Feb. 24: The Umoja Student Leadership Summit - Five Umoja Students will attend this virtual leadership conference, 
  • Feb. 25 - 27: The Umoja XVI Conference - The Umoja Cohort 9 students will be attending this virtual conference as a group. 

External Community Events

Honoring our Nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Virtual Event

February 1 - 5

The California Community College Transfer Guarantee to HBCUs in partnership with the National College Resource Foundation invite you to a week of virtual events in honor of Black History Month! To register and view the schedule of events, visit: https://elcamino.formstack.com/forms/hbcu_black_history_month_registration

Black Lives, Black Minds, Black Scholars: Creating Sustainable Change

February 5 - 6, 9:00 am - 4:00pm

The Western Region Council on Black American Affairs hosts a Black History Month conference focused on increasing the number of Black Students who see themselves in the Tech Industry. Students can attend FREE. Non-student registration fee: $125.00. 

Register at: http://wrcbaa-ncbaa.org/regional-conference/

Berkley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archives (BAMPFA) Livestream

“Among Quilters: Carolyn Mazloomi and Ora Clay on Rosie Lee Tompkins”

Saturday, February 20, 2:00 pm

Join two leading African American quilt makers in conversation with curator Elain Yau in a discussion of the quilts of Rosie Lee Tompkins. This webinar is free but requires registration. Register at  https://bampfa.org/event/among-quilters-carolyn-mazloomoi-ora-clay-rosie-lee-tompkins 

Thrive Together: Coalition of Black Excellence Week 2021

February 24 - 27, 2021, event times vary

Every year during Black History Month, the Coalition for Black Excellence hosts CBE Week – a premier event uniting black professionals from across different industries by offering access to distinguished speakers and panelists, as well as a trusted environment to network, explore recruitment opportunities, celebrate excellence among our peers, and share innovative practices to advance the Black community. Ticket costs vary depending on event. For more information visit: https://cbenonprofit.org/cbeweek2021/

Contra Costa County Libraries Celebrate Black History Month

Contra Costa County libraries are honoring Black History with the theme "The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity." Visit the library website for information about the following BHM events:

  • February 16: Tell Your Story Grab and Go Activity Kits
  • February 20: A Conversation with: Tyson Amir & CieraJevae
  • February 23: The Miseducation of the Negro, with Tyson Amir: Black History Session 1
  • February 25: The Black Woman is God: Reclaim, Reconfigure, and Re-Remember
  • March 2: Understanding our History and Tradition, with Tyson Amir: Black History Session 2