TCC African-American Heritage Month focus on present and past

As part of its commitment to serving the community, Tarrant County College will celebrate African-American Heritage Month in February with a variety of observances focused on current issues and past accomplishments in the African-American community.

A panel of police and community representatives will discuss “What to do When You are Stopped: Police and Community Relations” on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon in the North Ballroom at TCC Southeast, 2100 Southeast Parkway in Arlington.

Panelists include Deputy Chief John McGrath and Lt. Jason Rash, both of the Arlington Police Department; Chief of Police James Hawthorn, Cedar Hill ISD;  Lt. Greg Bowden, TCC Southeast Police Department; and Nikki Chriesman-Green, attorney/activist.

TCC Northwest, 4801 Marine Creek Parkway, will host Notable African Americans on Wednesday, Feb. 13. The informational exhibit, created to raise awareness about the career pathways of key African Americans, may be viewed on the second floor hallway of the WSTU building.

On Feb. 14, TCC Northeast will sponsor “What’s up Doc?” a discussion about mental and sexual health in the African-American community, from 11 a.m. to noon in College Hall (NCAB 1111).

At 6 p.m. on Feb. 21, TCC Connect, 444 North Henderson, will host “Connecting with the Human Experience Series” in Connection Bay, TRWF 2200. Local journalist Bob Ray Sanders, whose career spanned more than four decades and three media outlets, is the speaker.

The 13th annual Ariel Hunter-Chriss African American Professionals Conference will be held  Feb. 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Student Center at TCC South, 5301 Campus Drive in Fort Worth. With “NBC Today” Anchor Evan Anderson serving as the emcee, the conference honors the founder and late TCC employee who served as director of Continuing Education Services at South Campus until her death in May 2009.

Students also are  involved in planning events for the observance. The TCC Southeast Historical Underground Club is sponsoring a lecture series that includes:

  • The McFly Effect: Exploring the Rift between Rock & Black Culture is a presentation and panel discussion with local black musicians exploring the rift between rock music and black culture. This presentation is Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. in the North Ballroom.
  • Fred Hampton in Your Campus: Portrait of a Revolutionary, is a presentation by Bradley Borougherdi, chronicling the life of late Fred Hampton, Black Panther Party member. The presentation is Feb. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Library Classroom ESED 1212.
  • Black Nationalism in the Mind of Malcolm X, is a presentation by history faculty Eric Salas on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Library Classroom ESED 1212.

The month-long TCC celebration will culminate Feb. 28 with the District celebration, Celebrating Strides: Strides in the Arts, in the C.A. Roberson Theatre/Commons at TCC Southeast. The observance, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., will celebrate and share historical strides by African Americans in music, art and dance.

For the complete list of TCC-sponsored events, visit the AAHM calendar.