Press contact: Kyla Kruse

SPRINGFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College is celebrating African-American History Month during February with various events. The theme for this year’s observance is “RACE: Learn, Grow, Reflect.”

Each event is connected to one of four action steps. Recognize: We live in a multicultural world, and diversity matters. Accept: Everyone is not treated equally, and justice matters. Cultivate: Nurture a strong mind and body because health and wellness matter. Educate: Learn about cultural competencies because diversity, equity and inclusion matter.

Many of the events are open to the public at no charge. If not being held virtually, the events will be held at LLCC’s Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. The LLCC African-American History Month Committee and LLCC Student Life are event co-sponsors.

Tuesday, Feb. 1 – Recognize: African-American History Month kickoff will be celebrated through music and dance, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. 

Tuesdays, Feb. 8, 15 and 22 – Educate: African-American history virtual book club exploring “Dear Martin” by Nic Stone, 11 a.m., Zoom: bit.ly/LLCC-BookClub.  

Monday, Feb. 14 – Accept: Movie viewing of “13th,” noon, A. Lincoln Commons, registration required: bit.ly/AAHM-2-14-22. 

Wednesday, Feb. 23 – Cultivate: A presentation by Teresa Haley, president, Illinois NAACP State Conference and Springfield Branch NAACP, and members of the Springfield Branch NAACP board will heighten awareness on health and wellness and why it matters, noon to 2 p.m., Trutter Center, registration required: bit.ly/AAHM-2-23-22.

Monday, Feb. 28 – Recognize, Accept, Educate: “Know Your History!” – a presentation on the contemporary significance of the Springfield 1908 Race Riots by Carolyn Farrar, board president of the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons, registration required: bit.ly/AAHM-2-28-22.