Celebrating Black History Month 2024

Join Brightpoint Community College as it celebrates Black History Month with a series of activities.

Book Displays and the More Than a Month Research Guide 
February 1 - 29
Chester, Midlothian and Online
Visit Brightpoint Libraries and grab a book or two for Black History Month. The Library is featuring book displays highlighting Black History at both the Chester and Midlothian Campus Libraries. The librarians also curated print, eBooks and film resources celebrating Black History Month on our More than a Month research guide.

Drop in online or in-person and borrow some resources to celebrate Black History.

Exhibit: African-American Schools in Chesterfield County During the Segregated Era
Presented by Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia, African-American History Committee
February 5 – March 1
Midlothian, Eliades Hall, 2nd floor

The Virginia Constitution of 1879 mandated a system of segregated education in public schools. Newly freed African-Americans, regarded by many as second class citizens, were faced with challenges and limited resources, yet strived and persevered behind the schoolhouse doors. Learn about former students, teachers, principals, bus drivers, and others. Through this exhibit, individuals will view images the schools and related artifacts of the era, discover the names and locations of the schools built for African-Americans, and uncover the connection Booker T. Washington and Julius Rosenwald had to Chesterfield County.

The Penny Executive
February 8
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. 
Midlothian, Lynn Theatre (Trailblazer Hall)

Brightpoint’s own writer, director, and professor Foster Solomon will bring his one-woman play on the life of Ms. Maggie Walker, entitled The Penny Executive, to the Lynn Theatre. The Penny Executive tells the story of her amazing life, including how she became the first female president of a U.S. bank.

Please RSVP to Kerrigan Sullivan if you plan to attend.

The Penny Executive is cosponsored by the Black Student Alliance and the Theatre Club.

Black Student Alliance Game Night & Pizza Party
February 9
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Midlothian, Trailblazer Hall, room T218

The Black Student Alliance (BSA) is sponsoring a Board Game Night & Pizza Party. An assortment of board games will be provided. In addition, one of our past BSA presidents is returning to challenge us to a game of Cranium.  All Brightpoint students are welcome!

History of the Oldest African American Church in Midlothian
February 15
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Midlothian, Hamel Hall, room H109

Historian Audrey Ross will return to Brightpoint to give a presentation on the history of the oldest African American church in Midlothian. As part of the program, Ms. Ross will highlight some of the amazing African American trailblazers who called Midlothian home, including our first major league baseball player; the first “colored” to be elected to the Board of Supervisors; and the founder and owner of Mimms Funeral Home.

Admission is free. Please RSVP to Ben Rogers. 

Black History Month Movie: One Night in Miami
February 15
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Midlothian, Hamel Hall, room H109

One Night in Miami… is a fictional account of an incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown gathered to discuss their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and cultural upheaval of the 1960s.  Please RSVP for this event. 

Vision & Voices: Cole Simon
February 22
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Midlothian, Hamel Hall, room H109

Hear from Brightpoint scholar Cole Simon. 

Black History Month Movie: One Night in Miami
February 22
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Chester, Nicholas Center, room N134

One Night In Miami… is a fictional account of an incredible night where icons Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown gathered to discuss their roles in the Civil Rights Movement and cultural upheaval of the 1960s.  Please RSVP for this event. 

Sojourner Truth Performance
March 7
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Midlothian, Lynn Theatre (Trailblazer Hall)

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to enjoy a one-woman show on the extraordinary life of women’s rights advocate and abolitionist Sojourner Truth. Actress Charmaine Crowell-White will return to the Lynn Theatre for this one woman play.

Admission is free. Please RSVP to Ben Rogers.