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​Contact: Debra Dennis
214-378-1851; ddennis@dcccd.edu

For immediate release — Jan. 29, 2016

​A group of 46 students representing the seven colleges of DCCCD — known as the DCCCD "Street Team" — marched in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Dallas on Jan. 18.

(DALLAS) — The Dallas County Community College District kicked off Black History Month early when a group of 46 students representing its seven colleges — known as the DCCCD “Street Team” — marched in the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in Dallas on Monday, Jan. 18. The students held a banner that carried DCCCD’s message, “Dream Big,” as they joined more than 200 other entrants in the city’s celebration of the life and achievements of the noted civil rights leader.

The student ambassadors joined marching bands, floats, elected officials, churches and community organizations and were featured on NBC’s telecast of the parade — a first for the annual event. The parade, one of the largest in the nation, attracted more than 200,000 spectators and participants.

The parade’s grand marshal was radio legend Tom Joyner, host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. This parade was more than a march — it also was part of the National Day of Service, which acknowledges King’s insistence that society must care about its communities.

In February, DCCCD’s colleges continue the celebration by presenting a number of activities to mark Black History Month. Here’s a schedule for some of those events, listed by college and date:

Mountain View College

  • Wednesday, Feb. 3 — “Carter High,” the 2015 movie about the noted Dallas High School football team that faced opponents on and off the field during their storied 1988 season, begins at 11 a.m. in the Performance Hall, followed by a panel discussion with the director and actors.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 9 — Students can screen “Black Magic,” a film that examines the Civil Rights era in America through the lens of historically black colleges. MVC Athletic Director Keith McKinnon will provide background. Pizza, popcorn and drinks will be served. The event starts at 12:30 p.m. in the Treetop Lounge.

  • Monday, Feb. 15 — African-American fraternities and sororities known as “The Divine Nine” will be showcased during an information fair and step show at 10 a.m. in the West Hallway. A luncheon and information session follows at 12:30 p.m. in room S1029/1030. “The Divine Nine” comprises members from Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Zeta Phi Beta, Phi Beta Sigma, Iota Phi Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 17 — Humanities and music professor Dr. Janice Franklin will lecture on the influence of African-Americans in jazz, blues, rock, Tejano and country music. The lecture begins at 11:15 a.m. in room S1029/1030.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 24 — Celebrate the spoken word tradition with selected readings. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Treetop Lounge. The goal is to make literacy a traditional part of the celebration. For more information, contact the MVC office of student life at 214-860-8685.

  • Thursday, Feb. 25 — For historian, writer and music lover Sowande’ Mustakeem, teaching black history is more than a memorized song or chant. She will discuss her observations at 11 a.m. in a program titled “The Fire Unseen: Black History and Memory: The Era of Social Change.” The event takes place in the Treetop Lounge.

  • Friday, Feb. 26 — Mountain View professor Dr. Paul Benson will lead a tour of a plantation at historic Natchitoches Parish in Louisiana. During the one-day excursion, students will hear the unsung story of Marie-Therese Coincoin Metoyer, a freed slave, who owned a plantation in pre-Civil War Louisiana. Metoyer was born a slave, freed and later purchased her enslaved children and other relatives to work the land she owned. The trip to two Cane River plantations costs $50 and is due at the time of registration. Deadline is Feb. 19. All travel expenses including transportation, entrance fees and two meals are covered. To RSVP, contact the MVC office of student life at 214-860-8685.

For more information contact Jill Lain, Mountain View College director of marketing and public relations, at JillLain@dcccd.edu or call 214-860-8845. Mountain View College is located at 4849 W. Illinois Ave., Dallas.

Eastfield College

  • Wednesday, Feb. 3 — Dallas Black Dance Theater will perform at 11:15 a.m. in the Performance Hall.

  • Feb. 3-24 — African-American History Recital Series takes place at 12:30 p.m. in room F-117.

  • Monday, Feb. 8-26 — “A Piece of My Soul: Traditions of African-American Quilts” will be displayed at the Eastfield Library, L-200.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 17 — “The Power of Words: Examining the Speeches of the Civil Rights Leaders” will be explored by Courtney Brazil, who teaches speech at Eastfield, and Courtney Carter-Harbour, the school’s executive dean for the office of student engagement and retention. The lecture is at 10:10 a.m. in room G-101/102.

  • Thursday, Feb. 18 — Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to a visual arts presentation, “Yourself in the World: Exploring African-American Memories Through Visual Arts.” Eastfield art teacher David Willburn will speak at 11 a.m. in G-101/102.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 23 — A read-in features motivational speaker and Trinidadian author Carolyn Correia, author of “Thinking Out Loud” and “How to Find Yourself and Claim What’s Yours.” She writes a blog for those seeking a deeper meaning to life. Correia will speak at 11 a.m. in room G-101/102.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 24 — Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will host a transfer fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Pit.

For more information, contact Sharon Cook, assistant to the president, at 972-860-7629 or by email at scook@dcccd.edu. Eastfield College is located at 3737 Motley Drive in Mesquite.

El Centro College

  • Friday, Feb. 25 — A spoken-word performance and dance, along with an African-American read-in, begins at 11:15 a.m. in the Performance Hall and Student Center. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Amy Loftis, senior special projects manager, at 214-860-2399 or email amy.loftis@dcccd.edu. El Centro College is located at 801 Main St. in downtown Dallas.

North Lake College

  • Monday, Feb. 15 — South African singer, storyteller and author Rochelle Rabouin and her band Boitumelo will perform at 1:30 p.m. in the Gallery. Rabouin has toured with Earth, Wind and Fire, Clark Terry and the Gatlin Brothers. She also has published children’s books and performed in local theater productions.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 23 — Jazz, Rhythm & Blues will be presented by the North Lake College Jazz Band at 12:30 p.m. in the Gallery. The school’s Vocal Ensemble will follow with a medley of African-American songs.

For more information, contact Tremaya Reynolds, assistant director of marketing and public relations, at 972-273-3464 or at treynolds@dcccd.edu. North Lake College is located at 5001 N. MacArthur Blvd. in Irving.

Richland College

  • Richland College will honor Black History Month with an exhibit featuring photographs from the now-defunct magazine Sepia. The exhibit opens Feb. 1 and closes on Feb. 29.

    The school is collaborating with the African American Museum in Fair Park to present the exhibition “Sepia: A Legacy in Photography.” The exhibit features 50 rare photographs from Sepia’s archives. Sepia, a national magazine, began publishing in Fort Worth in 1947 and, for a time, rivaled Ebony. Sepia ceased publishing in 1983. The exhibition, in the Brazos Gallery, includes photographs of contemporary artists and headliners, said John Spriggins, Richland’s gallery coordinator. Included are images of Malcolm X, Aretha Franklin, Richard Pryor and noted bullfighter Ricardo Chibanga. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by appointment. For more information, contact Spriggins at 972-238-6339 or at john.spriggins@dcccd.edu.

  • Thursday, Feb. 11 — Legendary civil rights activist Joan Trumpauer Mulholland will address civil rights and social justice at 11 a.m. in the Fannin Performance Hall, room 102. Mulholland was a freedom rider who protested segregation during the 1960s.

  • Tuesday, Feb. 16 — The legacy of civil rights leader Julian Bond will be discussed at 12:30 p.m. in Sabine Hall, Room 118.

  • Thursday, Feb. 25 — An African-American Read-in sponsored by the Richland College African-American Connection takes place at 12:30 p.m. in El Paso Hall Cafeteria.

For more information, contact Katie McClelland at 972-238-6019 or kmcclelland@dcccd.edu. Richland College is located at 12800 Abrams Road in Dallas.

Cedar Valley College

  • Monday, Feb. 15 — An African-American Read-in will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the library.

  • Thursday, Feb. 18 — Courtyard Conversations begin at 12:30 p.m. in the Courtyard.

  • Monday, Feb. 22 — The Student Leadership Institute will discuss the life of Martin Luther King Jr. from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Performance Hall.

For details, contact Henry Martinez at 972-860-8142 or hmartinez@dcccd.edu. Cedar Valley College is located at 3030 N. Dallas Ave., Lancaster. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Brookhaven College

  • Tuesday, Feb. 16 — Speak Up! A Black Lives Matter discussion begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Treetop Café.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 17 — A Celebration of the Poetry of Motown Music will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Performance Hall. Enjoy Black History Month Trivia from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Building S lobby.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 24 — Taste of Soul, a food fair offering samples of soul food, begins at 11 a.m. in the Treetop Café.

For additional details, contact Meridith Danforth, director of marketing, at 972-860-4823 or mdanforth@dcccd.edu. Brookhaven College is located at 3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch.

For general information, contact Debra Dennis in DCCCD’s office of media relations at ddennis@dcccd.edu or at 214-378-1851.

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