Celebrate Black History Month: 'For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots'

Celebrate Black History Month at San Diego Mesa College with an array of events and exhibits!

Wednesday, February 3

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots

Join us for this documentary honoring African-American servicemen and women, followed by a discussion.

Room H-117/118

Upcoming Black History Month events and exhibits:

Tuesday, February 9

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Carter G. Woodson: Origins of Black History Month 

A film and discussion on Carter G. Wilson, the son of a slave who laid the groundwork for Black History Month when he founded Negro History Week in 1926.

Room H-117/118

Wednesday, February 10

1:00 p.m.

Chor Boogie Art Demonstration

Renowned spray paint artist Chor Boogie, who has painted vibrant murals for the Olympics in Beijing and on a segment of the Berlin Wall, will offer an art demonstration in the Mesa College Art Gallery. The demonstration is offered in conjunction with his exhibit, ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice,’ which runs February 11 - March 2 at the Mesa College Art Gallery.

San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery, D-101

Thursday, February 11

4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Chor Boogie, ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’ Art Exhibition

Opening reception for a Chor Boogie exhibit, Divided State of America, which runs through March 2 at the San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery (D-101).  Gallery hours are from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.  The reception will be followed by a lecture and conversation with the artist in Room G-101.

San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery, D-101

Thursday, February 18

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

The Black List, Volume 1

The Black List, Volume 1 premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008 and won the NAACP Spirit Award in 2009 for Best Documentary.

Room H-117/118

Monday, February 22

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Percy Julian: The Forgotten Genius

A film and discussion about Percy Julian, an African-American research chemist and a pioneer in the chemical synthesis of medicinal drugs from plants.

Room H-117/118

Tuesday, February 23

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.; 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Open Mic: Black Poets Speak Out

Mesa College students join local poets and storytellers Kendrick Dial, Alyce Smith Cooper, Jaime V. Jones, and others.

Room H-117/118

Wednesday, February 24

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Hidden Colors, Part 1

Hidden Colors is the name of a documentary series that looks at the marginalizing of African Americans here and around the world. A discussion follows the screening.

Room H-117/118

Thursday, February 25

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Hidden Colors, Part 2

Hidden Colors is the name of a documentary series that looks at the marginalizing of African Americans here and around the world. A discussion follows the screening.

Room H-117/118

Monday, February 29

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Hidden Colors, Part 3

Hidden Colors is the name of a documentary series that looks at the marginalizing of African Americans here and around the world. A discussion follows the screening.

Room H-117/118

Ongoing exhibits:

Through March 6

 The History and the Hair Story: 400 Years without a Comb

This exhibit at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido -- curated by Starla Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Black History at San Diego Mesa College -- is a journey through the history of the African-American hair industry and its role in our present culture.  From its origins in the seat of civilization to the epicenter of the civil rights movement, the comb’s untold story takes the spotlight in this exhibition by way of 400 years’ worth of artifacts, photography, historical accounts, propaganda, and much more. Visit artcenter.org for more details.

California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, 92025