Atlantic Cape Celebrates Black History Month this February; Welcomes Back the Poetic Prowess of the Twin Poets

MAYS LANDING — Atlantic Cape Community College begins its month-long celebration of Black History Month on Thursday, February 1 with the annual raising ceremony of the Pan African flag on the Mays Landing and Atlantic City campuses, weekly educational forums and cultural awareness events, and the return of the Twin Poets on February 8.

Known for their advocacy of poetry as a tool to positively transform the minds of young and old alike, the Twin Poets, Nnamdi Chukwuocha and Al Mills, are a powerful literary duo that harness their love for the written and spoken word with their dedication to service in the community, to their families and country. Named the 17th Poets Laureate for the State of Delaware in 2015, the Twin Poets bring over two decades of poetic prowess to their insightful performances that address topics, such as interpersonal violence, bullying and the ideals of masculinity.

This free, public event begins gathering at 5 p.m. in the Student Center lobby (G Building) with the program commencing at 6 p.m. A free copy of the Twin Poets’ book, “Our Work, Our Words,” will be presented to the first 25 currently enrolled Atlantic Cape students in attendance.

Each one of Atlantic Cape’s three campuses - Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May - will host Black History Month events throughout the month of February.

Mays Landing Campus Events

• Pan African Flag Raising Ceremony, Thursday, February 1, 12:30 p.m. in the Quad and Student Center lobby. This event will be led by the Black Student Alliance of Atlantic Cape. A live performance of “United We Stand,” a visual and musical historical journey by Key Arts Production. Lunch will be provided afterwards. Faculty, staff and students are invited to attend.
• Black History Month Trivia, Tuesday, February 6, 12:30 p.m. Student Center lobby. Winner will receive a $30 gift card prize.
• “Finding Your Roots: My Personal Black History,” a discussion led by Robyn Berenato, professor and genealogist, Tuesday, February 13, 12:30 p.m. Student Center lobby.
• Black History Month Paint & Sip, Tuesday, February 13, 5:30 p.m. Student Center lobby. The Black Student Alliance will sponsor this event with music and light refreshments.
• Black History Month Mental Health Forum, Tuesday, February 20, 12:30 p.m. Student Center lobby. The Black Student Alliance will sponsor this open discussion on mental health and wellness in the Black community.
• “Atlantic City’s Northside, Redlining in the Sand,” Thursday, February 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Student Center lobby. The African-American History Museum of Southern New Jersey will present this traveling museum display that talks about the factors that created segregated neighborhoods, such as Atlantic City’s northside, throughout the country at the turn of the century. (Open to the public with light refreshments available).

Charles D. Worthington Atlantic City Campus Events

• Pan African Flag Raising Ceremony, Thursday, February 1, 12:30 p.m.
• Southern New Jersey Buffalo Soldiers, Wednesday, February 7, 12 p.m. Room 204 (Open to the public).
• Black History Student Essay Contest, Wednesday, February 21, 12-1 p.m. Room 204.
• King’s Dream presented by Key Arts Production Live Performance, Wednesday, February 28, 12 p.m. Room 204. (Open to the public).

Cape May Campus Events

• Black History Month general information available and students may enter to win a free giveaway item throughout the month, Thursday, February 1 - Thursday, February 29.
• Southern New Jersey Buffalo Soldiers, Wednesday, February 14, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. First Floor lobby. This event promotes motorcycling safety and education on the rich history and contributions of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Buffalo soldiers. (Open to the public).
• Multiculturalism & Police: Understanding the Fragile Relationship with Communities of Color, Thursday, February 22, 6 p.m. Lecture Hall. Presented by the Coalition for a Safe Community and the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office. Dr. Theodore Darden, professor of Justice Studies at the College of DuPage, applies his nearly 20 years of experience in criminal justice, along with his love for academia, as he discusses the complex issues of policing African American communities today in this country. (Open to the public).

Black History Month began in 1925 as Negro History Week and 51 years later, in 1976, during the nation’s bicentennial, President Gerald R. Ford asked Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Visit atlanticcape.edu for more information or to register for classes today.  

About Atlantic Cape Community College

Atlantic Cape Community College is a Middle States accredited, 2022 Achieving the Dream Leader College and Hispanic Serving Institution proudly serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. As a comprehensive, two-year community college, Atlantic Cape offers 47 undergraduate degree programs, and 33 certificate and workforce development professional series programs at its Mays Landing, Atlantic City and Cape May campuses. Atlantic Cape is home to the renowned Academy of Culinary Arts, rated the top culinary school in New Jersey, and for more than 50 years, our highly-acclaimed Nursing program. Atlantic Cape also partners with several four-year universities to offer students the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree without having to leave home.