Dutchess Community College (DCC) will celebrate Black History Month with a monthlong series of lectures, performances, workshops and arts programming that explore Black history, creative expression and contemporary social impact. Headlining this year’s lineup is Bettina “Poet Gold” Wilkerson, who returns to DCC as part of her “Be the Poem: Living Beyond Our Fears” tour, alongside nationally recognized scholars, local historians and artists. All events are free and open to the public.
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 is the opening of the series with a keynote lecture by world-renowned social work scholar and researcher Dr. Ohiro Oni-Eseleh of the University of Delaware. His presentation, “From Past to Practice: Black History, the Present and the Future of Helping Professions,” explores how Black history continues to shape contemporary practice in psychology, social work, education and human services, with a focus on equity, cultural competence and social justice. The lecture will take place from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in Bowne Hall, Room 122.
- Tuesday, Feb. 10 marks a full-circle moment for Bettina “Poet Gold” Wilkerson and DCC. Poet Gold, who wrote the poem “Be the Poem” for the College’s 2017 Commencement, returns to campus following the release of her book of the same title. She will lead two events in the Ritz Lounge, beginning with “The DREAM Out Loud Poetry Workshop” from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m., followed by “Be the Poem: Performance and Open Mic Night” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The evening performance will feature spoken word, music and conversation inspired by her book “Be the Poem: Living Beyond Our Fears,” with musical accompaniment by Damon Banks, Tim Regusis, Bobby Sabella, Ralph M’Vore and The MVORE Family, and will conclude with an open mic and book signing.
- On Tuesday, Feb. 17, programming continues from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in Bowne Hall, Room 122, with “Reckoning with the Past: The Work of Celebrating the African Spirit for the Here and Now.” The presentation will be led by Celebrating the African Spirit co-founders and board chairs Katherine Hite, professor of political science on the Frederick Ferris Thompson Chair at Vassar College, and Carmen McGill. Their work focuses on researching and commemorating the lives of enslaved Africans in Poughkeepsie and the Mid-Hudson Region and examining how historical erasure contributes to ongoing racial inequities today.
- Thursday, Feb. 19, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. in Bowne Hall, Room 122, Esi Lewis, executive director and founder of the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center and daughter of the late Dr. Wade-Lewis, will present “The Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center: Building Black History.” Lewis will share her vision for deepening public understanding of Black history in the Hudson Valley and advancing a more just and equitable society.
- From Feb. 23 through March 27, the Mildred I. Washington Art Gallery will present “Weird Sisters,” an exhibition featuring work by Ana Maria Farina, Alisa Sikelianos-Carter and Leslie Fandrich that explores themes of transformation and identity. An opening reception will be held Feb. 25 at 5 p.m., followed by a curator’s talk on Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 4, concludes Black History Month programming, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre with “Reading for Colored Girls,” a staged reading of Ntozake Shange’s “for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf,” organized and facilitated by AnnChris Warren, instructor of theatre and dance. Serving as a transitional event between Black History Month and Women’s History Month, the reading weaves poetry, music and movement to explore the interior lives of Black women.