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Tidewater Community College celebrates Black History Month 2023 with a keynote event featuring Tidewater African Cultural Alliance presenting Afro Mania with the spotlight on Ethiopia.

The event is a fully immersive cultural experience and is from 2-4:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Joint-Use Library on the Virginia Beach Campus.

The event includes an address by Beserat Debebe, a graphic novelist and founder of Etan Comics, which features epic stories, African creators and “comics for every fan.”

In building Etan Comics, Debebe has also been building a world of African fantasy and superhero stories. It’s been something he’s wanted to do since coming to the United States in 2004. He spent his early days in libraries and bookstores reading comics and graphic novels. After a few years in the corporate world, he found the courage to launch his dream.

The national theme for this year’s commemoration is Black Resistance: Past, Present and Future. During February, TCC plans to host Black History Month activities and events on its campuses.

For more information and for accommodations, email vsc@tcc.edu.

 

Campus events include:

 

Feb. 1: ThinkFast Game Show – Black History Month Edition, 12:30 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student center. Test your knowledge during this in-person trivia game show. Enjoy this interactive game and learn facts related to Black History Month. Compete for a chance to win cash prizes.

Feb. 1: Black History Month Heroes, virtual, all-day. Students have the opportunity to share photos and details about someone who has made an impact on their lives.

Feb. 2: Pop-up library – Reading is Fundamental and Open Mic Outreach, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center lobby. Check out our books aligned with the Black History Month theme of Black Resistance. This event is held in conjunction with the Friends of the TCC Library Initiative.

Feb. 2: Camaraderie – For Veterans, Military-Affiliated Students and the Community, noon-1 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center lobby. Join history professor Jeff Acosta for a conversation about his life, service and interests in local Black history. Acosta is a historian with a varied background that includes 38 years of military service. He also spent 11 years as curator for the MacArthur Memorial.

Feb. 11: Keynote Event TACA Afro Mania: Ethiopia Address with Guest Speaker Beserat Debebe, 2-4:30 p.m., Joint-Use Library, Virginia Beach Campus. Join us for an afternoon full of immersive cultural experience with guest speaker Beserat Debebe, creator, writer and publisher with Etan Comics, home of the African superhero. Presented in partnership with Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, Hampton Roads Community Foundation and Virginia Beach Public Schools.

Feb. 15: Finding Your Roots: Genealogy Workshop, 12:30-1:20 p.m., Slover Library. Come and research your personal history. This workshop is facilitated by Troy Valos, head librarian and archivist. Registration required. Contact Alicia Peoples at apeoples@tcc.edu.

Feb. 16: Virginia African American Cultural Center Information Session, noon, Norfolk Campus Student Center. Meet Executive Director Tamar Smithers and learn about the work of the center.

Feb. 21: Movie and discussion, 11 a.m., Virginia Beach Student Center. Students will watch a movie related to Black History Month, followed by a round-table discussion with faculty members.

Feb. 21: Panel discussion on race relations: Micro-Misconceptions of the Generational Norms in Today’s Society, noon-1:30 p.m., Portsmouth Campus Student Center . The panel discussion will focus on topics including bridging the gap and navigating the misconceptions and cultural biases in education and in the workplace. Also, the group will discuss threatening speech and the native tongue.  The panel includes professors from Norfolk State University.

Feb. 22: Black Stories Movie Marathon, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center.

Feb. 23: Movie and discussion, noon-2 p.m., Portsmouth Student Center Theater. Join us as we screen the film “The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till” by Keith Beauchamp.  Discussion to follow the viewing.

Feb. 23: Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, 8 p.m., Chesapeake Campus Student Center.

Feb. 27: Agency and empowerment with guest speaker Kim Sudderth, 11 a.m., Norfolk Campus Student Center. Come and learn about Black resistance and social movements through a facilitated conversation.

Feb. 28: Movie and discussion, noon – 2 p.m., Portsmouth Campus Student Center Theater. Join us as we screen the film “Underground Railroad” by Susan Michaels.  Discussion to follow the viewing.

Feb. 28: Black History Month Celebration, 5:30 p.m., Virginia Beach Student Center. Celebrate Black History Month with fellow students, faculty, staff and members of the community.