Lincoln Land Community College is celebrating African-American History Month throughout February with a variety of events. This year’s theme is “Echoes of Our Past, Visions of Our Future.”
All events below are open to the public at no charge, unless otherwise noted and are being held at the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road.
Friday, Feb. 1 – African-American History Month Kickoff, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. The event features Brandon Thornton, a.k.a. Xplicit, national spoken word artist.
Friday, Feb. 8 – “Jazz Jubilee,” noon to 1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. The event features a performance by LLCC alum Kenneth Humble and Company.
Monday, Feb. 11 – Kuumba Dance Troupe performance, noon to 1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. Also known as the Y.C.I.A (Young Christians in Action), the Kuumba Dance Troupe is a group of individuals ages 9-22 who express their creativity and praise to their creator through dance.
Wednesday, Feb. 13 – “A Moment in Black History,” noon to 2 p.m., Robert H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. Presenter Terry Ransom provides an overview of the Underground Railroad, highlighting the laws.
Monday, Feb. 18 – Soup & Stories: “Black and White All Over,” noon to 1 p.m., Robert H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. Free to students with a student ID; $3 for non-students. RSVP to 786.2241. Artist Michael Dixon shares his story prior to presenting his “Black and White All Over” lecture about his journey negotiating race, identity and representation in his art and life. His artwork is being displayed in the Murray Gallery in Menard Hall throughout the month of February.
Wednesday, Feb. 20 – “A Tribute to the Stars,” noon to 2 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. Performance by John Crisp and Guests features music of Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin.
Wednesday, Feb. 27 – African-American Food and Vendor Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. The event is featuring free samples of African-American food, displays exhibiting the wares of African-American entrepreneurs, in addition to “Saxophone and African-American Poetry Improvisations” performed by LLCC retired business law professor and jazz musician Virgil Rhodes, J.D.
Thursday, Feb. 28 – African-American History Month Finale/Women’s History Month Kickoff: “Celebration of Women…Lighting the Way,” 6 to 9 p.m., Trutter Center. Cost is $10. This dinner and entertainment event recognizes influential women from the past to the present.
Events are being co-sponsored by the LLCC African-American History Month Committee and Student Life. For more information, contact Laurie Clemons at 217-786-2232.
