Scholarships, music part of SPC’s African-American History Month

African-American History Month celebration at SPC’s Allstate Center

SPC’s campuses and centers have been busy throughout February hosting a variety of events marking African-American History Month, from art exhibits to musical events and competitions.

Earlier this month, the Allstate Center held a celebration featuring a drum circle, music and food. Events at other campuses have included a session with civil rights guest speaker Lonnie C. King Jr. at SPC Downtown as well as food festivals throughout the college. This week the Black History Trivia Competition is being hosted at the Clearwater Campus. Scholarships will be awarded to first, second and third-place winners.

More photos from the Allstate Center celebration are on SPC’s Facebook page.

See African-American History Month events at SPC on the college’s event calendar.

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SPC Downtown hosts civils rights guest speaker

Guest speaker Lonnie C. King Jr., who was active in the 1960s civil rights movement, met with students at SPC Downtown earlier this month.

The event is one of several being held this month at SPC’s campuses and centers as part of African-American History Month.

King sat down and spoke with SPC students before giving a speech to about 85 people at the American Stage Theater at the Downtown Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 13.

A founding member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, King and others authored “An Appeal for Human Rights.” Published in various Atlanta area newspapers in the 1960s, it helped launch the Atlanta Student Movement and nonviolent sit-ins and boycotts around the city.

Former president of the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP, King has been honored numerous times for his role in the civil rights movement, according to an article from the University of Georgia. A Morehouse College graduate in 1969, he later earned a masters degree in public administration from the University of Baltimore and has held teaching positions throughout the education system from the elementary to the collegiate level.

See more photos from the event on the college’s Facebook page.

Check for more African-American History Month events on the college’s website.

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African-American History Month at SPC

The college’s campuses and centers are holding a variety of events throughout February to celebrate African-American History Month.

On Feb. 12, the Clearwater Campus Library will feature Eric Deggans, TV and media critic for the Tampa Bay Times. The discussion will focus on “how the media wields dangerous words to divide a nation.”

On Feb. 13, SPC Downtown will host guest speaker Lonnie King, a civil rights activist who worked next to Martin Luther King Jr. He is the current president of the National Organization for Civil and Human Rights. King will be at the campus at 1 p.m.

The Clearwater Campus will host a poetry slam on Feb. 20 starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature SPC’s Hip Hop Ensemble and readings of poetry written by African-American historical figures.

See all the African-American History Month events at SPC on the college’s event calendar.

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Panelists continue 19th Century debate at Clearwater

Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg TIMES makes a point during an African-American History Month debate at St. Petersburg College's Clearwater Campus

     Eight panelists gathered at Clearwater’s Arts Auditorium Wednesday (Feb. 17, 2010) to consider this question: is it better to simply pursue success, or is it better to pause in your pursuit and lend a hand to others?
     The program, “Success and Obligation: Whose Dream Is It Anyway?” was offered as part of African-American History Month.
     The question for the panel, which was framed by Communications Professor Dr. Greg Byrd, was based on an ongoing debate that took place in the late 19^th Century between W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington. Washington believed in hard work and self-help; DuBois was more of a believer in organizing and petitioning for change.
     Taking part in the debate were: 

• Eric Deggans, St. Petersburg TIMES writer
• Dr. Dean Kohrs, SPC instructor and author
• Dr. Susan Demers, Dean of SPC’s Paralegal Studies Program
• Jimmy Chang, SPC Math Program Chair at SPC
• Tony Ballard, SPC Speech professor
• Rod Davis, Director, Student Activities/Male Outreach Initiative
• Phil Thomas, Director, MAP Counseling Center
• Dr. Antoinette Caraway, Instructor and Clearwater campus Academic Librarian

      The debate was moderated by Dr. Bonnie Jefferis, Communications Department Committee Coordinator for African-American History Month.

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