Check out what’s scheduled for movies, speakers, music and more
Rowan College at Burlington County celebrates Black History Month with music, food, movies, special guests and more in February. The college’s African American Cultural Committee organized the events to recognize the important contributions of African Americans while engaging the community in a celebration of culture and diversity.
All events are free and open to the public:
• Movie Showings at the Mount Laurel Campus in the Votta Hall Auditorium: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 11:30 a.m. — Fences; and Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 11:30 a.m. — Hidden Figures.
• Movie Showings at the Willingboro Campus in the Student Lounge: Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. — Fences, and Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. — Hidden Figures.
• Opening Day Speaker featuring John Harmon: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mount Laurel Campus in the Votta Hall Auditorium. The founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, John E. Harmon Sr. is a national leader in economically empowering and sustaining African American communities and businesses with direct outreach programs to facilitate entrepreneurship and the free enterprise system. A successful community college graduate, Harmon is recognized as one of the most influential African Americans in New Jersey.
• Philadelphia’s University of the Arts Student Funk Ensemble: Thursday, Feb. 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mount Laurel Campus in the Votta Hall Auditorium.
• Guest Speaker Dr. Monique Gary: Thursday, Feb. 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mount Laurel Campus in the Votta Hall Auditorium. Dr. Monique Gary is a fellowship-trained Breast Surgical Oncologist at Grand View Health in Sellersville, PA, specializing in minimally-invasive breast surgery. She has been recognized by the International Association of Healthcare Professionals as a Leading Physicians of the World and Top Breast Surgeon in Pennsylvania for 2017. She is passionate about using her expertise to develop programs to address cancer risk and prevention, and healthcare inequality for disparate populations including ethnic, racial, LGBTQI and other minority groups in the greater Philadelphia area.
• Soulful Lunch (tickets are $15 per person): First Show: Sunday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m. Second Show: Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Culinary Arts Center located at the college’s Mount Holly Campus, 21 Mill Street. Tickets are $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at rcbc.edu/aacc. Please bring your online receipt as proof of purchase to the event. Guest Chef Vincent Rochester of Rochester’s BBQ & Grill in Lawnside will provide a cooking demonstration and discuss the background of a soulful dish. Chef Rochester was born in the Bronx, but his family comes from St. Kitts, the West Indies and North Carolina. He brings all his experience with different cuisines and his family’s influences to his food. The distinct flavors helped create the tantalizing menu at Rochester’s BBQ & Grill. RCBC Director of Culinary and Pastry Arts Chef James Brudnicki and RCBC culinary students will serve a soulful meal.
• Guest Speaker President and CEO of Parts Life, Inc. Sam Thevanayagam: Thursday, Feb. 22 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mount Laurel Campus in the Votta Hall Auditorium. Join entrepreneur and business owner Sam Thevanayagam as he speaks about resiliency and bouncing back to achieve your goals in the face of adversity.
• Thomas Beard Evolution of the Negro Spirituals: Wednesday, Feb. 28 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Mount Laurel Campus in the Votta Hall Auditorium. Operatic baritone Thomas Beard presents his concert program, The Evolution of Negro Spirituals, accompanied by dancers and his pianist.
• Guest Speakers American fashion model Pat Cleveland and 6ABC’s Rick Williams: Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mount Laurel Campus in Votta Hall Auditorium. Discovered by Vogue Editor Carrie Donovan, Pat Cleveland’s modeling career had a bumpy beginning due the American standards of beauty in the 50s, 60s and early 70s and she was often turned down for jobs due to her diverse ethnic features and skin tone. She would eventually become known for her signature walk that disrupted the fashion runways. Her magnificent aura and beauty was photographed for feature covers and editorials of famous fashion magazines in the 70s, 80s and 90s. Rick Williams has kept viewers informed for more than 25 years as an anchor and reporter. For much of that time, he has (and continues to) anchor the number-one rated Action News at Noon and Action News at 5 p.m. broadcasts. This event is sponsored in part by Bowman & Company, LLP and SML Construction, Inc. For more information about these events, please call the African American Cultural Committee hotline at (856) 222–9311, ext. 1338 or visit rcbc.edu/aacc.
