Leaders with purpose highlight TCC’s Black History Month virtual celebrations

Tidewater Community College celebrates Black History Month 2022 with a virtual presentation featuring Gina Paige, president of African Ancestry, Inc. The interactive conversation will be held on Feb. 23, 2022, at 6:30 p.m. To register for the event, visit here.

Paige co-founded African Ancestry, Inc. and in doing so, pioneered a new way of tracing African lineages using genetics. She created a new marketplace for people of African descent looking to trace their roots more accurately and reliably.

An industry pioneer, speaker and entrepreneur, Paige resides in Washington, D.C. and holds a degree in economics from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Paige was honored with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy from Global Oved Dei Seminary University.

The program will be followed by a question-and-answer session, moderated by ClauDean Kizart, TCC’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

The national theme for Black History Month 2022 is “Black Health and Wellness,” a theme underscoring the rich legacy of Black scholars, medical practitioners, and midwives to more recent initiatives focused on mental health for people of color.

TCC’s Black History Month celebration includes an assortment of virtual events throughout February. All events are open to the public.

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 2022 honorees visit here.

For more information about Black History Month events, email Emily Hartman at ehartman@tcc.edu.

Black History Month Events

Feb. 2

Trivia Stream—Black History Month Edition
7 p.m. – Location: Virtual
Join us for a game show night streamed via Twitch TV complete with fun trivia questions, chat room engagement, secret words and up to $300 in prizes.

Feb. 9

Black History Month Movie: “Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges & Universities”
Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Location: Lobby – Norfolk Campus Student Center
Black colleges and universities have educated the architects of freedom movements and cultivated leaders in every field. They have been unapologetically Black for more than 150 years. For the first time ever, their story is told.

Feb. 15

Financial Management and Wealth Building Session
5:30 – 7 p.m. – Location: Virtual
TCC’s Student Resource and Empowerment Center and TowneBank present a teaching series about budgeting basics. Learn about predatory loans, common financial mistakes and top budgeting tips.

Feb. 16

Black History Month Movie: “Black America Since MLK and Still I Rise”
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (several showings) – Location: Lobby – Norfolk Campus Student Center
This movie looks at the last five decades of African American history through the eyes of Henry Louis Gates Jr., exploring the tremendous gains and persistent challenges of these years. Drawing on eyewitness accounts, scholarly analysis, and rare archival footage, the series illuminates the past, while raising urgent questions about the future.

VCCS HBCU Virtual Transfer Showcase
6:30 p.m. – Location: Virtual
The VCCS Transfer Peer Group is hosting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) at this virtual transfer showcase. Attendees will engage with an alumni panel and representatives from Bowie State University; Elizabeth City State University; Hampton University; Howard University; Morgan State University; Norfolk State University; North Carolina A&T University; and Virginia State University.

Feb. 17

“Trivia Stream”—Black History Month
Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Location: Lobby – Norfolk Campus Student Center
Answer trivia questions pertaining to African American History and earn prizes.

Financial Management and Wealth Building Session
5:30 – 7 p.m. – Location: Virtual
TCC’s Student Resource and Empowerment Center and TowneBank present a teaching series about mortgage basics. Learn about home loans, managing credit and how to prepare for today’s housing market.

Feb. 22

“Mental Health First Aid with Chief Tyran Payne”
12:30 p.m. – Location: Virtual
Chief Payne is the police chief at Yavapai College in Arizona. He is a mental health first aid instructor and a dynamic leader. Payne is also a military veteran with PTSD who will be speaking about the personal and professional challenges of addressing mental health concerns

Feb. 23

Black History Month Movie: “Red Tails”
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Location: Lobby – Norfolk Campus Student Center
The movie highlights a squadron of Black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen who were finally given the chance to prove themselves during World War II as they battled discrimination on the ground.

Feb. 24

Black History Month Mental Health & Wellness in the Black Community
Noon – 2 p.m. – Location: Lobby – Norfolk Campus Student Center
Joni Hursey-Wingate, Licensed Professional Counselor with TCC, will explore mental health challenges in the Black community. In addition, interventions will be offered to help students live healthier lives.

Black History Month Movie “Loving”
12:30 p.m. – Location: Virginia Beach Student Center – TV Lounge
“Loving” is a true story about a young couple’s interracial marriage in 1958 that sparks a case that leads to the Supreme Court. Based on the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving.

Feb. 25

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Virtual Awards and Recognition Program
Noon – 1:30 p.m. – Virtual
Featuring William E. Harrell, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit. TCC’s annual distinguished service award winner and a student scholar will be recognized.

Feb. 28

Prominent in Portsmouth with Ambassador Bismarck Myrick
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. – Virtual
Meet ambassador Bismarck Myrick during a video feature with live a Zoom meet and greet. Ambassador Myrick is the former United States Ambassador to Lesotho and Liberia.

Atumpan: The Talking Drums
7 – 8 p.m. – Location: Virtual
Join us as the Atumpan Dance Theatre Company shares their unique brand of educational entertainment. This fun and interactive experience will engage and amaze you.