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Black History Month Celebration

Celebrating Black History 

Black History Month is a tradition begun by Carter G. Woodson and his Association for the Study of [African American] Life and History.  Woodson argued that the study of Black history is essential to the development of Black students’ identities and self-worth and that the omission of Black history is a purposeful attempt to keep Black students “in their place.” 

Tuesday, February 6

Cougar Chats: Money Pulse - Diagnose Your Financial Health

Tuesday, February 6 |12 - 2 P.m. 

columbus campus | mitchell hall aep boardroom

delaware campus | Livestreamed to MO 202

Dublin Campus | Livestreamed to DB 331

Online | register to get zoom link

It’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you keep! Join Professor Reuel Barksdale in this interactive workshop as he shares the blueprint for financial health and wellness.

CougarChats is a monthly, interactive workshop series for students hosted by Vincent Hill, assistant director of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. For more information about the CougarChat series, please email vhill13@cscc.edu.

REGISTER

Cougar chats graphic Cougar Chats: Money Pulse - Diagnose Your Financial Health

Thursday, February 8

African American Read-In Chain

thursday, February 8  

11:30 - 1 P.M. in Person | nestor hall west lounge 

2 - 3:30 P.M. | virtual

This Columbus State Community College tradition is a celebration of the African American literary tradition and literacy awareness. Throughout the month of February, groups nationwide will gather to read and share works by Black authors. Columbus State's participation is recorded by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the International Reading Association.

The Read-In at Columbus State is sponsored by the English Department and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

If you would like to read aloud from one of your favorite authors, please sign-up by Feb. 2. Please email rlyons@cscc.edu if you have any questions.

Register to Read or Attend

BHM graphicAfrican American Read-In Chain

Wednesday, February 14

Douglass Day Transcribe-a-thon 

wednesday, february 14 | 12 - 3 P.M.

columbus campus | Library Media Studio

delaware campus | moeller hall learning commons

Dublin RLC | Lobby

Frederick Douglass chose to celebrate his birthday on February 14 because his mother called him her "Little Valentine." Black communities around the country began to celebrate Douglass Day at the turn of the 20th century, shortly after his passing.

One Douglass Day tradition is to hold a collaborative transcription project. This year, Columbus State will join the national Douglass Day 2024 Transcribe-a-thon, which is attempting to collectively transcribe 8,731 pages of Frederick Douglass' correspondence in one day!

Stop by at any of our locations to experience the livestream of the national event, featuring speakers, songs, and readings and participate in transcribing Douglass' correspondence.

Douglass Day graphicDouglass Day Transcribe-a-thon

Thursdays, February 15 & 22

Poets in Black 

Thursday, february 15 |11 A.M. - 1 p.m.
delaware campus | cyber cafe

Thursday, february 22 |11 A.M. - 1 p.m.
columbus campus | library media studio

Plan to attend the 26th Annual Poets in Black sponsored by Columbus State Community College’s Student Engagement and Inclusion and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Poets in Black is a midday poetry and fiction reading held in celebration of African American and PanAfrican writers to honor Black History Month. This year’s two-day celebration features selected readings performed by students, administrators, faculty, and staff.

 

For more information, contact Dr. Crystal Clark at cclark153@cscc.edu.

Poets in Black graphicPoets In Black

Tuesday, February 20

Masithethe: Black History Month Panel Discussion

Tuesday, february 20 | 12 - 1:30 p.m.

columbus campus | wd 212

Online | microsoft teams

In observance of Black History Month, this month’s Masithethe will feature a discussion with panelists, Dr. Carla Burnett, Student Support Services program coordinator; Dr. Dana Knott, Library director; Steven Waddell, Advising and Career Services counselor; and Brett Welsh, Student Engagement and Inclusion director. The panelists will talk about that Black History Month means to them and how it impacts their work with students.

register to attend

Black History Month graphicMasithethe: Black History Month Panel Discussion

Friday, February 23

Retrospective on The March on Washington

performed by the gospel ensemble choir of columbus state

friday, february 23 | 7 p.m.

columbus campus | wd ballroom 

The Civil Rights Movement fought tirelessly for citizenship rights and racial equality for Black Americans, using protests and peaceful demonstrations to challenge segregation. A. Philip Randolph's idea of the "March on Washington" in 1963 brought over 250,000 demonstrators to demand jobs and freedom, making it the largest peaceful human rights demonstration in U.S. history. The event was marked by stirring speeches and uplifting musical performances before the iconic backdrop of the Lincoln Memorial.

The March on Washington celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023. To commemorate this historic event, the Gospel Vocal Ensemble of Columbus State will present a reflective and joyful retrospective. The performance will showcase the lively gospel songs and powerful voices that offered hope and possibility during the March.

Black History Month graphicRetrospective on The March on Washington

Thursday, February 29

Shutdown

Documentary Film and Q&A

thursday, february 29 | 12 - 2 p.m.

columbus campus | Franklin hall 106

Shutdown is a documentary film about a profound political coming of age that happened in Columbus, Ohio in turbulent 1971. As white flight, destructive urban renewal strategies, and racial tension all resulted in the volatile landscape in the Linden neighborhood, a group of Linden McKinley high schoolers who called themselves 'The Black Student Union' wanted their school (and their curriculum) to include and reflect Black culture and history. Inspired by the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, these teens mobilized and took action. They were not prepared for the harsh and traumatic consequences that followed, which left scars that endured for decades. Eventually, however, the actions of this small but mighty group of teens created a domino effect that led all the way to the Supreme Court.

Following the film screening, several of the former Linden-McKinley students interviewed in the documentary will be present to talk about their experiences and answer questions.

register to attend

Black History Month graphicShutdown



George Floyd Memorial Scholarship

Interested in supporting Columbus State’s George Floyd Memorial Scholarship? Any contribution is welcome to help extend scholarship awards to deserving students. Just designate your gift to the George Floyd Memorial Scholarship fund. Thanks for your consideration.

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