Collin College Celebrates The Black Family For African American History Month

Jan. 28, 2020 Collin College will celebrate African American History Month with a series of events throughout February. This years theme follows the national theme for 2021, The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.

All events will be virtual through Zoom or socially distanced. These events are free and open to the public.

The following events are planned for February:

Monday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m.

Presentation, Author Ayana Mathis The Twelve Tribes of Hattie and The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity

Author Ayana Mathis will discuss her best-selling novel The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, which tells the story of the children of the Great Migration through the trials of one unforgettable family. For more information on Mathis, go to www.lyceumagency.com/speakers/ayana-mathis/.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvduGprTMoEtKF11HbUJkj8ikoVHDZqBNr

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 10 a.m.

Craft Talk with Author Ayana Mathis: What Makes a Novel? Shape and Meaning in The Twelve Tribes of Hattie.

Mathis will discuss the theme, structure, and origins in her novel The Twelve Tribes of Hattie, providing students with the unique opportunity to think about a novel from the inside out. Presentation will include discussion on writing and process of shaping a book, from ideas to execution.

Registration link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrdO6orjkrE9xfeasj1u-wAm3CVlVQByX-

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m:

The Slave Trade in Late Colonial and Early Republic America- Panel Discussion moderated by Dr. Christopher Redgraves

Historians will have a roundtable discussion led by Dr. Christopher Redgraves on how the slave trade worked and its impact on African communities in Africa and African American communities in America. The discussion will also address how the slave trade ended, how it continued illegally, and the long-term effects.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udeGqrjovHdNWRg90P8swzENG7LP6fbGP

Friday, Feb. 19, noon

Grab & Go Soul Food Event

This will be a Collin College only event with grab and go pre-packaged soul food lunch, while supplies last. Event will be at the McKinney Campus Conference Center.

Masks are required and COVID-19 safety procedures will be required.

Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.

The Black Family in Performing Arts

This program will feature music, visual arts, literature, and dance. It will highlight the Blackfamilys role in the performing arts and touch on activism. There will be a special performancefrom Studio 6a Dance Academy of Plano under the direction of the esteemed Mrs. Arrica Lagsding. Members of the African Student Organization will interview an internet-viral star from Texas it will be a much-anticipated surprise!

Registration link will be provided closer to the date.

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m.

Jazz Music and Family Ties: A Conversation with Jazz Saxophonist, Tia Fuller

A live, virtual conversation with Jazz Saxophonist, composer, and educator, Tia Fuller and three Collin College faculty. Fuller will share her remarkable career in music and personal experiences growing up in a musically talented family.

Recorded music composed by Jazz Saxophonist Tia Fuller will be performed by the Collin College Jazz Department, and directed by Alex Heitlinger, Collin College professor of music and director of jazz studies. A link to the recorded musical performances by Collin College students will be provided during the program.

Q&A session will follow after the presentation.

Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwtdeCpqjsoEtQILsAMnc5lpddC81sOa1hH

There will also be library displays at the Wylie and McKinney campuses celebrating The Black Family throughout February.

For more information about the events, please visit www.collin.edu/community/aahm/.

Collin College serves more than 58,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates, including new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity degrees. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and workforce development. For more information, visitwww.collin.edu.