Glendale Community College will host a Black History Month celebration on campus throughout the month of February to focus student attention on the remarkable accomplishments and contributions of African Americans.

Black History Month is an annual celebratory observance within the United States dating to the late 19th century, but more widely observed beginning in 1926. It is designed to celebrate the lives, culture, struggles, and achievements of African-Americans throughout our nation’s history. These events are meant to stimulate the mind and challenge long standing and sometimes painful narratives.

Here are the events being held at GCC in celebration:

• "Cultural Displays" viewed throughout the month at the Student Union and Library.
• "Festive Soul Food" enjoyed every Wednesday, at Palms Café, from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• "Presentation with Rorvis Gilmore: Black Wall Street" on campus at noon Feb. 14 SU-104E.
• "Celebration with the Langston Hughes Project’s Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz" on campus at 6 p.m. Feb. 14 in MU2-151.
• "Film Screening - Horror Noir: The History of Black Horror" on campus at noon Feb. 22 in SU-104E.
• "Teleparty" at 4 p.m. Feb. 23.
• "Virtual Seminar – Red, Blue, and White: The Third Reconstruction" featuring Mr. Michael Kelly at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28.
• "Film Screening - Till" on campus at noon Mar. 1, 2023 in SU-104E.

Originally founded as a celebratory week, this celebration was chosen to occur the second week in February because both pro-abolitionist President Abraham Lincoln, the man who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and abolitionist leader Frederick Douglass had birthdays the same week. These figures were prominent within the African American community, had a lasting impact on African American lives and culture, and thus fit the movement.

By 1970, black students and faculty at Kent State University began celebrating during the whole month, eventually leading President Gerald Ford in 1976 to unofficially recognize February as Black History Month. He would go on to urge the nation to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” In 1986, Congress would go on to officially designate February as National Black (Afro-American) History Month, according to the U.S. Library of Congress.

Interestingly, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, France, and seven African countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ivory Coast, Comoros, Senegal, and Cameroon) all recognize a black history month within their societies.

This celebration is brought to you by GCC’s Black History Month and Student Life and Cultural Diversity committees. More specific details on how to join in on each of these events can be found at www.gccaz.edu, access Student Life, click on Upcoming Events.

If you are interested in any of these events and have any additional questions, you can contact Gina Desai at 623-845-4847, or via e-mail at gina.desai@gccaz.edu.