ECC celebrates Black History Month

Elgin Community College will hold a series of events and activities throughout February during its monthlong celebration of Black History Month. All events, which are free and open to the public, unless noted, will be held at the Spartan Drive campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

Black History Month, including the closing ceremony, luncheon, and other events are sponsored by the Black History Month Committee, Black Student Association, Co-Curricular Fund, MAGIC, Office of Student Life, the Professional Development Office and Military Branches United.

Here is a list of events during the Black History Month celebration:

• "The Youngest Living Player from Yesterday's Negro Baseball League" from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4, in Building B Alumni Room. Meet special guest and former Negro League Baseball player Dennis "Bose" Biddle.

• "Here's to Your Black Health" from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in the Building B Jobe Lounge. Cardiovascular screening, health and wellness information, HIV/AIDS testing, and more are open to everyone.

• Black History Family Festival will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. Celebrate diversity and bridge cultures by promoting literacy through cultural arts and education. The festival will include a celebration of Future African American Leaders, performances by Elgin's talented Art and Music students, the C.A.K.E. Village African dance program, featuring U46's Read to Succeed students.

• Know Your Heritage Contest from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Building B Jobe Lounge. Compete in teams of four or five students in a Black History-themed Jeopardy game. Prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Contact the Office of Student Life for contest guidelines and team details.

• "Money Matters: From Broke to Financial Freedom" will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 11, in the Heritage Room, Building B. Does the lack of money get in your way of doing things you really want to do? Whether you work at McDonald's or Microsoft, you can achieve financial freedom. Learn how!

• "ECC Presents Jade Simmons" from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Building B Jobe Lounge. "Jade has exactly the kind of creative energy the classical world needs." - Jon Kimura Parker, pianist.

• "Get Out the Vote!" will be 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, in Building G Spartan Auditorium. View the film, "A Time for Justice," to understand why the fight for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 demands that we continue to protect voters' rights today.

• "The Public and the Police" from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the Building B Community Room. Members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) will present information regarding the public-police relationship.

• The closing program and luncheon will be 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, in Building E Dining Room. Guest speaker Dr. Wes Scott will lead a discussion about the history of African-Americans in the United States Armed Forces. Space is limited. RSVP is required. Contact Samantha Migatz at smigatz@elgin.edu or call (847) 214-7017.

For more information, please call the Office of Student Life at (847) 214-7425.