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Black History Month 2020

Tidewater Community College celebrates Black History Month 2020 with a keynote address by Vernon J. Hurte, associate vice president and dean of students at Iowa State University, on Feb. 28 at noon in the multi-purpose room at the Portsmouth Campus Student Center. Pre-registration is required. To save your spot click here.

Vernon Hurte is the keynote speaker for TCC’s Black History Month celebration.

Hurte formerly directed the Center for Student Diversity at William & Mary. He was senior pastor of the historic New Light Baptist Church in Richmond for nearly a decade.  Hurte was awarded William & Mary’s Chambers-Reid Award for Professional Excellence and named one of Inspire Magazine’s Top 40 inspirers in America.

The national theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Vote.”

At TCC, the month includes an assortment of free, public activities throughout February with speakers, discussions and entertainment at campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.

For more information, contact intercultural@tcc.edu or 757-822-7296.

Events, which are subject to change, are on a first-come, first-served basis. For the most up-to-date listing of events, visit www.tcc.edu/black-history.

Each year, Tidewater Community College honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Black History Month with a distinguished service award to a TCC faculty or staff member, and provides a scholarship to a TCC student. To view the winners of the 2020 awards visit www.tcc.edu/black-history.

Campus Events

Chesapeake Campus

Feb. 5

Black History Month Movie: “Get Out”
12:30 – 2 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
“Get Out” is written and directed by Jordan Peele. This story about racism isn’t a drama or comedy. Instead, it’s a horror film.

Black History Month Movie: “42 – The Jackie Robinson Story”
2:30 – 4 p.m.,
Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
The film chronicles the life of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League Baseball.

Feb. 13

Thinkfast Gameshow Black History Month Trivia
12:30 – 1 p.m. and 1-1:30 p.m., Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room
Test your knowledge of black history and pop culture for a chance to win up to $200! Student ID required to participate.

Feb. 19 & 20

Black History Cultural Festival – Day
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. – Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room and Academic Building
Explore cultural dance, fashion, arts, storytelling, music, food and education as it relates to black history.

Black History Cultural Festival – Evening
6 – 7 p.m. – Student Center, Chesapeake Bay Room and Academic Building
Explore cultural dance, fashion, arts, storytelling, music, food and education as it relates to black history.

Feb. 26

Black History Month Movie: “House Party”
12:30 – 2 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
The comedy “House Party” stars the rap duo Kid ‘N Play.

Black History Month Movie: “A Wrinkle in Time”
2:30 – 4 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Veterans Lounge
After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother and her friend into space to find him.

 Norfolk Campus

Feb. 6

African American Artist Showcase
Noon – 1 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, lobby
Meet student artists and view their work.

Feb. 19

The Divine 9 Greek Fest

Noon – 1:30 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5th floor
Join us for a conversation about the history and significance of black Greek fraternities and sororities.

Feb. 20

Financial Empowerment in Black America
Noon – 2 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5th floor
Learn about ways to leverage your cash to build wealth by engaging with black business owners and community leaders. Special guests include Ron Lewis with LTC2 Consulting; Will Randolph with Legacy Banking; and Vivian Oden with Hampton Roads Community Foundation. 

Feb. 25

Entrepreneurship in Black America
Noon – 1:30 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5th floor
Join us as we view “BOSS: The Black Experience in Business.” Stay for a panel discussion as black business owners share their experiences of barriers, challenges, successes and key factors that led to their success.

Portsmouth Campus

Feb. 7

First Fridays: Vocalize (open mic) 
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Portsmouth Campus Student Center, The Commons
Share your talent and creativity with a focus on black history, heritage, culture and life.

Feb. 13

Race to the ballot – a conversation with faculty and leaders
12:30 -1:30 p.m., | Portsmouth Campus Student Center, E124-126
Join the conversation with a panel of faculty and community organizers to discuss the 2020 elections as they pertain to issues impacting African Americans.

Feb. 20

A stage production of “Abolitionists’ Museum” 
12:30 -1:30 p.m. Portsmouth Campus Student Center, The Commons
JuneteenthVA Theater company presents “Abolitionists’ Museum,” a play written by Sheri Bailey about Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Sojourner Truth, John Brown, Nat Turner, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stow and David Walker as wax figures in a museum in a debate moderated by the museum curator.

Virginia Beach Campus

Feb. 4

Black History Month kickoff event

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, 2nd Floor Breezeway
Celebrate Black History Month with food, drinks and activities.

Feb. 6

Black History Month Movie: “Lincoln”
10 a.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge While the Civil War continues to rage, President Lincoln struggles with the continuing carnage on the battlefield as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves.

Feb. 10

Black History Month Movie: “Black Panther”
3 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge
In the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, T’Challa must step forward to lead his people into a new future and confront a challenger from his country’s past.

Feb. 12

Poetry Slam
2 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Cafe
Step up to the mic and let your creativity flow!

Feb. 19

Black History Month Movie: “13th”
Noon, Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge
The film takes an in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and reveals the nation’s history of racial inequality.

Feb. 20

Make your own “I have a dream” vision board
1 -2:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, Cafe
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., make your own vision board to reflect the values he held dear.

Feb. 25

Trivia Night
5:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, 2nd-floor Breezeway
Test your knowledge of black history.

Feb. 27

Black History Month Movie: “Mudbound”
3:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, TV Lounge
Based on the story of two men who return home from World War II to work on a farm in rural Mississippi, where they struggle to deal with racism and adjust to life after war.