Press Releases

January 30, 2008

For Immediate Release
Press Contact:
Alka Joshi
650-224-7580 cell
408-270-6413 direct
alka.joshi@evc.edu

African American History is American History, Too

In 1912, a history Ph.D. scholar graduated from Harvard and couldn’t help noticing that black Americans were all but missing from history books. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, born to former slaves, decided to write black Americans into the nation's history, and established February as Negro History Week to celebrate two men who radically influenced the black American population: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who was fond of saying, "I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.”

Today Evergreen Valley College celebrates Black History Month with a robust offering for the entire campus community and the neighborhood at large, starting with a free gospel concert, a “Night of Inspiration,” on Thursday, February 7th, featuring the Emmanuel Baptist Church Live Choir of San Jose. Other performers include Silent Testimony, Inspirational Praise, Worshipping Angels of Maranatha Christian Center, Adisa Browning, God’s Lyric, and Temple of New Beginnings Sanctuary Choir. The concert will be held on campus in Montgomery Hall from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

The Black History Month events are organized by AFFIRM, Academic Force For Inspiration Retention and Matriculation, which serves African-American and other EVC students who require nurturing and support to help their chances of transfer to a baccalaureate institution.

Other AFFIRM events for Black History Month include:

Tuesday, February 12th
EVC campus/Library 10:00-4:00 pm
“Black Faces and Words: Library Open House”
Features a presentation by EVC Librarian Shelley Blackman about prominent African American contributors to American History.

Wednesday, February 13th
EVC campus/Gullo II 12:30-1:30 pm
“Seeker of A Dream” is a dramatic performance by EVC Professor and Interim Dean of Library and Learning Resources Keith Aytch and professional actor, Darrold Ross.

Tuesday, February 19th
EVC campus/AS Conference Room, 5:00 pm
Dr. Kevin D. Barnes, author of Successfully Raising Young Black Men, will discuss why raising positive black men is key to strengthening our neighborhoods. Book Signing and Discussion. For more information, please contact Joe Toves at 408-274-7900, extension 6776.

Wednesday, February 20th
EVC campus/Gullo II 12:30-1:30 pm
African American Poet Q. R. Hand, author of the long awaited Whose Really Blues and the co-editor of We Came to Play: Writings on Basketball, discusses writing and outstanding black Amerians. For more information, contact Sterling Warner at 408-274-7900, extension 6605.

Wednesday, February 27th
EVC campus/Gullo II  12:30-1:30pm
“I Won’t Be Silent Anymore” is a dramatic, interactive performance detailing the history of the Little Rock Nine and EVC’s own Elizabeth Eckford, one of the young girls who helped desegregate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957.

Thursday, February 28th
EVC campus/ Gullo II 8:00-12:00 pm
“Come Dance with Me: A Masquerade Ball” marks the festive closing celebration of EVC Black History Month. Students $7. Adults $10.

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ABOUT Evergreen Valley College

With student learning as its primary focus, Evergreen Valley College’s mission is to empower students to expand their human potential and to succeed in a global, multicultural society. The College, which sits on a picturesque 175-acre site in the eastern foothills of San Jose, provides access to comprehensive and flexible post-secondary education to prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for balanced and productive lives and to improve the workforce and quality of life in our community.