Bakersfield College is celebrating Black History Month with several campus and community events.
This February, BC is welcoming Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, professor at Georgetown University and the author of "Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America."
Black History Month kicks off on Thursday at the BC Campus Center Main Stage from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
And Steve Watkin the director of outreach and school relations at Bakersfield College said that this was the first time BC was holding an event like this. "We just have to promote positive energy, I think there's so many negative things going on in the community. When we have an opportunity to show unity and people working together for the cause of the community it's the best thing in the world that can happen," said Watkin.
Open discussion forums will be held with Dr. Dyson about his book next Thurdsay, Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. in the Fireside room.
"African-American Initiative Presentation" will be on Feb. 8 at 11:15 a.m. in the Fireside Room.
On the same day, the "Distinguished Speaker Series" will feature Dr. Dyson demonstrating his program at 7 p.m. in the Edward Simonsen Indoor Theatre. Dr. Dyson will be speaking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event is open to the public.
Representatives from over 25 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) will be in the Campus Center and Renegade Crossroads giving information and offering transfer guarantees to qualified students on Monday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, the Transformational Policing: Bridging the Racial Divide discussion will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. BC Professor Tommy Tunson will moderate the discussion featuring Bakersfield Police Chief Lyle Martin, McFarland Police Chief Scott Kimble, California Highway Patrol Commander Ron Seldon, FBI Resident Agent in Charge Jose Moreno and Assistant District Attorney Scott Spielman.
The Black American History Parade will be on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 21st and V Streets at 10 a.m.
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, a Brown Bag Discussion will be held with Dr. Horace Mitchell. Bring you lunch and join BC for a discussion with Dr. Mitchell, the 4th President of CSUB from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room.
And the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting their Black History Mixer on February 27th at the Petroleum Club.
