PASADENA, Calif. - Feb. 9, 2021 - Today, Pasadena City College (PCC) has announced the return of the Jackie Robinson Arts & Humanities Lecture Series (JRALS). Now in its 9th Season, the four-part conversation/performative arts salon series will be themed, "Art as Activism in the Era of Covid-19 & Civil Unrest in the USA: Re-Set, Re-Discover, and Re-Imagine."
PCC is dedicated to promoting a safe virtual learning experience for all students and faculty. Therefore, all series events will be streamed live via Zoom, as well as the Pasadena City College Facebook and YouTube platforms.
Part I of the series will take place Thursday, February 25, 2021, at 5 p.m. (PST) / 8 p.m. (EST). Titled "The Educational Pipeline: From Community College to Four Year College/ University", the evening will feature a special presentation by William E.L. Syms, Interim Dean of the Non-Credit Division, who will highlight the advantages of attending Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU).
PCC is also proud to have Bryan Bloomfield, Shannon Ramirez Slater, and Chelsea J., who make up an esteemed panel of Alumni that will offer commentary on the art community and its role in social justice during the global pandemic.
Chelsea J, who has also been selected to pen the theme song for this year will perform live. "I was inspired to write this song by thinking about those who came before us. We stand on the shoulders of Legends in different mediums like activism and media arts from Dr. King and Angela Davis to Cicely Tyson, and Harry Belafonte. As time passes, the next generation can hope to emulate their character filled with grace, poise, and integrity," says Chelsea.
Also scheduled to perform are Two-Time Hollywood Grand Slam Poetry Champion, Kito Fortune, and Guest DJ. Rodney "DJ Fillup Banks" Valentine, who will provide the soundtrack for the evening. ASL Interpreters will also be on hand during the lecture for the hearing impaired.
Noted Actor, and Cultural Architect for Public Engagement, Charles Reese, also returns this year as Series Host and Program Curator. As CEO, of Teeth and Eyes Communications, LLC he remains focused on delivering quality programming to Pasadena City College. "The power of media has allowed us to connect like never before, and I am thrilled to deliver this salon series in celebration of Black culture and the many contributions of our artistic community at large," says Reese.
The Jackie Robinson Lecture Series is a special program produced by the Pasadena City College Diversity Initiative Division, where Dr. Christopher David West serves as Coordinator. He echoes the importance of this much-needed programming in today's social climate. "In this moment the Pasadena City College community pauses to elevate and listen to the words and songs of our young artists providing direction to the future." For questions about the program, email Dr. West at CDWEST@pasadena.edu.
Students, faculty, and community interested in attending this virtual event should register via Eventbrite at https://jackierobinsonlecturefeb2021.eventbrite.com.
About Jackie Robinson Arts & Humanities Lecture Series( JRALS) at Pasadena City College.
The Jackie Robinson Arts & Humanities Lecture Series at Pasadena City College embodies the College's motto: "Proud Past, Global Future" as a multi-ethnic, multi-disciplinary professional development annual event that exposes the College community to a vast array of artists, scholars, musicians, performers, writers, playwrights and other contributors to the quest for social justice, equity, and other humanitarian issues focused on deepening the understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity/inclusion—a crucial component in preparing for a global future. www.pasadena.edu/jackierobinsonlecture
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