In order to promote Black History Month on campus, Los Medanos College has dedicated its library display as well as extensive bulletin board coverage to the cause. In the spirit of cooperation, Student Life and the Art Club have collaborated on original art pieces of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. accompanied by inspirational quotes.

            “We let everyone in the club know what we wanted to do and people wanted to contribute,” said Art Club member Manny Jimenez.

            LMC has several events planned throughout the month of February in celebration of black history open to all students.

            “It is a campus-wide effort to promote solidarity,” said Director of Student Life Teresa Archaga.

            Student Life Services is also providing the opportunity for students, staff, faculty and members of the community to view a free screening of the new film, “Hidden Figures” at the Pittsburg Maya Cinema Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. A discussion will follow with the focus on how the film tackles topics of race and sexism still prevalent in modern society.

            Student Life is also sponsoring a trip to the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on March 2. This event will also be free to students.

            LMC Transfer Services is organizing a caravan to the Historically Black College University Fair at Diablo Valley College from 4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 15.

            “The event will be hosting 21 HBCUs and many will be offering on-the-spot admissions to students with transcripts,” said Transfer Services Coordinator Rachel Anicetti.

            The new LMC student club California Association of Woke Students and the Honors Club are co-sponsoring a panel on the topic of Black Lives Matter with guest, local civil rights attorney Dan Siegel. The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m.  Feb. 14.

            In celebration of the end of Black History Month, the Library Community Room will host a discussion entitled “Black Wall Street and the Power of Ownership” presented by Professor Evan Wade of San Joaquin Delta College from 5 to 7 p.m. Feb. 28. The discussion will center on the history of the economically independent black community in Greenwood, Oklahoma once known as “Black Wall Street” and the power of ownership in the black community today.

            The origin of Black History Month can be traced back to the creation of the Association for the Study of Negro Life in 1915, which sought to highlight the contributions of a neglected and underrepresented people to the United States. Since then, Black History Month has gone beyond acknowledging a people and also serves to promote greater unity in a nation divided.

            For links to registration forms, contact information, and more information on the various planned Black History Months events at LMC students can visit www.losmedanos.edu/blackhistory/.