Black History Series at SMC

SMC Presents Black History Series

Free Talks and Panel Discussions For Students & Community Members

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica College (SMC) will present four free events as part of its ongoing Black History Series on the history and the current state of Black America at this pivotal time in our nation. The events—which include a film screening, author reading, and informative talks and discussions—will be held on SMC’s main campus at 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Seating is strictly on a first-arrival basis.

Unless otherwise noted, the series is sponsored by the SMC Associates and SMC's Black Collegians Program.

SMC’s Black History Series events are:

• Tuesday, February 26 at 11:15 a.m. in Main Stage at Theatre Arts Complex: Phat Girlz Film Screening and Q&A with Nngest Likké: Filmmaker Nngest Likké presents a screening and discussion of her feature film Phat Girlz, which looks at the difficulties ‘large’ women encounter as they seek acceptance and love in a culture where ‘thin is in.’ Likké, an award-winning Los Angeles filmmaker of Ethiopian descent, is the director of Ben & Ara, exploring romance between two people of very different worlds. SMC’s Adelante Program is an additional sponsor for this event.

• Tuesday, February 26 at 11:15 a.m. in Stromberg Hall (Humanities & Social Sciences Lecture Hall 165: Dana Johnson: "In the Not Quite Dark and Other Stories: A Reading by Dana Johnson”: Author Dana Johnson reads selections from her short story collection In the Not Quite Dark. An English professor and director of the Ph.D. in Creative Writing and Literature Program at the University of Southern California, Johnson authored Break Any Woman Down, which won the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. Her work has appeared in several anthologies and numerous publications, including Zyzzyva and The Paris Review. Part of the SMC Literary Talks & Readings series. SMC English Department is an additional sponsor for this event.

• Thursday, February 28 at 11:15 a.m. in Stromberg Hall (Humanities & Social Sciences Lecture Hall 165): A Conversation with Former LA Radio Personality Ben Kelly and Entertainment Project Manager Joi Hardy: Ben Kelly and Joi Hardy will talk about career strategies in radio and entertainment media. Kelly covered benchmark events like the O.J. Simpson trial and the 1992 L.A. Riots while at legendary 92.3 The Beat (now The Real 92.3), and currently serves as the Young Life College Director at the University of Southern California. Hardy works as an entertainment project manager. For NBCUniversal, she managed custom sponsorships and creative content across Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, Movietickets.com, and Flixster for studio, streaming, and brand clients, including Disney, Sony, Fox, STX, and Netflix. Part of the SMC Communication & Media Series. Additional sponsors: SMC Communication & Media Studies Department.

• Thursday, March 7 at 11:15 a.m. in Stromberg Hall (Humanities & Social Sciences Lecture Hall 165): Derric J. Johnson: “Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere”: Derric J. Johnson, founding director of Crossroads School’s Equity and Justice Institute, will talk about the importance of social justice to the advancement of society. Johnson is the former senior deputy for public safety and justice in the Office of County Board Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and a longtime community leader working with a variety of youth-focused programs. SMC’s Adelante Program is an additional sponsor for this event.

For more information, please call SMC’s Office of Public Programs at 310-434-4100.