NOCCCD Celebrates Black History Month

It has been almost a century since Black History Month's origins took root in the form of Dr. Carter G. Woodson's Negro History Week, first established in February 1926. Considered the "Father of Black History Month", Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February to celebrate due to the presence both President Lincoln and Frederick Douglass' birthdays (February 12th and 14th respectively) during that week. The movement has since blossomed into a month-long celebration of Black excellence. The North Orange County community colleges have welcomed Black History Month with enthusiasm and support, the campuses brimming with speeches, documentary screenings, presentations, and other activities to make sure Black voices and legacies ring out for all to hear.

Fullerton College started strong, taking to the streets at the 45th Annual Orange County Black History Parade & Unity Festival hosted by the OC Heritage Council that was held on February 1st. They shared the roadways with Chapman University, 100 Black Men of Orange County, and other organizations and institutions.

There is something in store every week at both Cypress and Fullerton Colleges. Just this afternoon, the Black Student Union at Fullerton College hosted the first Porch Talk of their semester. Tomorrow, Cypress College's Day of Recognition and Triumph will be held at their Legacy Center, while Fullerton's APIDA Resource Center will be hosting a screening of the documentary Far East, Deep South to explore the intertwined Black and Chinese communities during Jim Crow. Both library campuses are featuring specially curated selections of African American authors from their collections throughout the whole month.

See what events are up next in Cypress College and Fullerton College's Black History Month itineraries.

Learn more about Dr. Woodson's legacy at the ASALH, an association he founded in 1915 that continues to advocate for Black life, history, and culture to this day.