(San Antonio, TX, January 24, 2006) - Black History Month activities at San Antonio College (SAC) will celebrate community and pay tribute to Black fraternal, social and civic institutions, February 2-28. Events are listed below and, unless otherwise noted, are free and open to the public.

Additionally, the SAC English Department, Black History Month Planning Committee, and Student Financial Aid Office will sponsor the Sixth Annual Black History Month Essay Competition, open only to SAC students. Winners will receive SAC scholarships - three 3rd place prizes of $300 each, two 2nd place prizes of $350 each, and one 1st place prize of $400. Essay entries (1,000-1,200 word limit) are due to the English Dept. office by Thursday, Feb. 23. Winners will be announced at the Read-In on Feb. 28.

Thursday, Feb. 2: Opening Ceremonies
12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Loftin Student Center - Fiesta Room.
Buffalo Soldiers will post the colors.
The Latin Jazz Combo, directed by Alice Gomez, will perform African Rhythm and Chants. Contact: Carolyn Foster, cfoster@accd.edu or 733-2806 and Wynette Keller, whadnott@accd.edu or 733-2760

Tuesday, Feb. 7: Student Art Expo
9:25 - 10:40 a.m.
Visual Arts & Technology Center (VATC) rm. 120.
Contact: Marleen Hoover, 733-2896 or mhoover@accd.edu

Wednesday, Feb. 8: Jazz on the Mall with Ron Wilkins
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Loftin - Fiesta Room.
Contact: Rosie Carreon at 733-2731 or rocarreo@accd.edu

Thursday, Feb. 9: ³African Masks and Masquerades: Visual Elements of Community Self-Help Groups.²
9:25 - 10:40 a.m.
Visual Arts & Technology Center (VATC) rm. 120.
In traditional African cultures, the mask, costume, and resulting parades and celebrations drew attention to societies organized for the benefit of their own members, and some items were imbued with religious or shamanistic powers. The lecture will look at these from an artistic point of view, and consider their function within their own cultures. Contact: Marleen Hoover, 733-2896, mhoover@accd.edu

Buffalo Solders Encampment (information tent)
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on mall area outside Loftin.
Contact: Judi Clark, 733-2641 or jclark@accd.edu

Wednesday, Feb. 15: A Day of Celebrating Community Music, food and fun.
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Loftin Student Center.
Contacts: Wynette Keller, 733-2760 or whadnott@accd.edu; Gloria Pimentel,
785-6073 or gpimente@accd.edu; Judi Clark, 733-2641 or jclark@accd.edu; Gayle Brown, gaylebrown45@yahoo.com

Thursday, Feb. 23: Panel Discussion ³Lift Every Voice - Involvement in our Social and Civic Organizations.² 10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Loftin- Fiesta Room.
Contact: Wanda Lee Smith, 733-2550 or wsmith@mail.accd.edu

Tuesday, Feb. 28: African American Read-In and Essay Awards 10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Loftin Student Center - Fiesta Room.
Also, winners of the Sixth Annual Black History Month Essay Competition will be announced during this event. SAC scholarship prizes include three 3rd place prizes of $300 each, two 2nd place prizes of $350 each, and one 1st place prize of $400.
Essay entries (1,000-1,200 word limit) are due to the English Dept. office by Thursday, Feb. 23.
Contact: Janice Clayton, 733-2512 or jclayton@accd.edu