Throughout the month of February, Sinclair Community College will be hosting six events on campus to commemorate African-American History Month.
Among the events planned are a discussion about Juneteenth and what it means, the Celebration of Purpose and the Kuumba Celebration, said Crystal Echols, professor in the Academic Foundations Department. All the events are free and open to the public.
This year is Echols’ second year as chair of the events, she said, adding that her role is to make sure that the events are coordinated and advertised.
The first event of the month is a presentation and discussion by Tammy Cooper about what ‘Juneteenth’ means and its significance, Echols said. Cooper is the executive administrative assistant in the senior vice president’s office.
‘Juneteenth’ commemorates when the slaves in Texas learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was over two years after it had been signed, said Echols.
“The actual date is June 19, but it is usually celebrated on the first ‘teenth’ Saturday in June,” Echols said.
The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 12 to 1 p.m. as a brown bag lunch and again from 3 to 5 p.m. in Building 2 Room 334, Echols said.
On Thursday, Feb. 9 an event known as the Celebration of Purpose will be held in Building 2 in Blair Hall.
This event is a combination of the NIA awards and GospelFest, said Echols, the reception is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and the program will begin at 7 p.m. in Building 2 in Blair Hall.
This year is the 12th year that the NIA awards will be held and the third year that they will be combined with GospelFest, said Echols.
NIA in Swahili means purpose,Echols said. The awards are given each year to staff members, students and faculty to recognize them for how they have demonstrated purpose, she added.
The idea for GospelFest came after Echols had been to several gospel concerts of the Sinclair gospel choir and enjoyed them. Echols said that gospel music is also part of African-American heritage and history.
“Sinclair has an amazing gospel choir,” she said, adding that her vision was to expand and have many different gospel choirs come to Sinclair and perform alongside Sinclair’s gospel choir.
“Bringing those two events together was sort of a cosmic melding,” she said of having NIA and GospelFest together.
The final event of the month is the Kuumba Celebration, which will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the stage area of Building 8.
The event is a student-centered talent showcase, explained Echols, adding that the word kuumba in Swahili means creativity. There will be food provided while singing, dancing and poetry, among other acts, are presented.
Echols is hoping that all the events being held foster a deeper appreciation of the contributions and history of the African-American community and bring everyone together.
“We’re more alike than we are different,” she said.
Anyone who would like more information or has questions about the events can contact Echols directly, either by phone at (937) 512-2338 or by email at crystal.echols@sinclair.edu.