FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 30, 2015) – Tarrant County College is marking African-American Heritage Month with events that explore the history and celebrate the future of the black community.
Each of TCC’s five campuses will host activities in February. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Northeast Campus:
Northeast Campus (828 W. Harwood Rd. in Hurst) will look back in time with a presentation on black soldiers and the Civil War by Davis Slay, historian from Vicksburg National Military Park, on February 19 (12:30 p.m. in the Student Center, Center Corner). The campus also will host a “read-in” and panel discussion, focusing on the poetry of African-Americans from the Colonial period through present day and political, cultural and social changes. The event is scheduled for February 12 (9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Student Center, Center Corner), with panelists including Bob Ray Sanders of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Northwest Campus:
Community leader and local history expert Reby Cary will join the Rev. Lloyd Austin February 26 for a discussion of the history of civil rights in Tarrant County. The event takes place in the Northwest Campus Walsh Library (4801 Marine Creek Pkwy. in Fort Worth). Austin is pastor emeritus of St. John Baptist Church in Mosier Valley, the oldest black community in Tarrant County. Cary was the first African-American to serve on the Fort Worth school board and also served as state representative for District 95.
South Campus:
Experience the rhythms of the Bandan Koro African drum and dance ensemble February 2 at South Campus (5301 Campus Dr. in Fort Worth). The event runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Center dining hall and includes a presentation about healthy eating by TCC graduate and chef Sultan Karriem.
Visitors are invited to South Campus throughout February to view a display that reflects the past 100 years of black culture in America. Hosted in the Jenkins Garrett Library, the exhibit highlights African-American contributions in art, music, dance, literature, cuisine and religion.
Southeast Campus:
Southeast Campus (2100 Southeast Pkwy. in Arlington) also will host a read-in, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. February 10 in the library; bring a short passage or poem from an African-American author to share. Other events in the Southeast Campus Library include a one-man show entitled “The Life and Times of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” presented by TCC graduate Oris Phillips Jr. (1 p.m. February 11), as well as a discussion of how African-American beauticians influenced change in the Jim Crow era (1 p.m. February 19).
Trinity River Campus:
Learn about Fort Worth’s first black millionaire at “The Amazing Life and Legacy of William ‘Gooseneck’ McDonald,” a discussion with Jan Jones. The author will speak in the Trinity River Campus Library (300 Trinity Campus Circle in Fort Worth) February 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Trinity River Campus also will host a bus tour of historic Fort Worth for TCC students, faculty and staff. Co-sponsored by the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society and Trinity River’s Humanities Division, the tours on February 13 will explore sites central to the African-American experience in Fort Worth’s past. The first tour begins at 9 a.m., followed by another tour at 12:30 p.m. Meet in the rotunda; lunch will be provided. Students and employees may sign up online.
All TCC campuses will come together for the third annual “African-American Heritage: Celebrating Strides” event. The celebration takes place 5-8 p.m. February 25 at South Campus (5301 Campus Dr. in Fort Worth) and will include music, dance, and theatrical performances as well as remarks by special guests—including actor Tommy Ford, known for his role on the Martin Lawrence sitcom “Martin.” Ford encourages literacy nationwide. The event is open to the community.
