FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DCC PLANS ACTIVITIES TO CELEBRATE

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

DANVILLE, VA, January 25, 2005 -- Danville Community College has scheduled a variety of events

Kemba Smith	Reggie Wayne Morris Blues Band

 during February to celebrate African-American History Month. The events include a discussion on positive life choices, a jazz/blues group, history challenge competition, gospel concert, and sickle cell awareness and sickle cell trait screenings. In addition, College Day 2005 will be held during February, and this year features more than 40 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  All of the events are open to the public, and offered free of charge.

The schedule of activities is as follows:

February 8, 2005:

“Let’s Talk: A Conversation with Kemba Smith, at 11:00 a.m. in Oliver Hall (in Temple Building). The discussion focuses on making healthy choices based on Smith's own personal story and how under the current federal drug laws she was sentenced to 24 ½   years in prison without the possibility of parole, for a first time non-violent drug offense related to an ex-boyfriend.  Her sentence was later commuted by President William Jefferson Clinton in Dec. 2000 in one of his final acts as president. Smith was released from prison and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work from Virginia Union University. Lastly, the session will highlight the importance of having a social consciousness within the political climate of this country.

Her story has drawn national attention. She has been featured on ABC’s Nightline and Early Morning Show, Fox TV, C-SPAN and other notable television programs.  She is a Soros Justice Fellow advocating federal drug-sentencing reform and is the founder of the Kemba Smith Foundation. Smith now travels the country sharing her story with college students and discussing current issues in drug sentencing and policy. For more information about Kemba Smith, click here.

February 10, 2005:

What is Sickle Cell Anemia?, at 11 a.m., in Oliver Hall, conducted by Julia Wilson, Outreach Coordinator, and other representatives from the Danville-Pittsylvania County Sickle Cell Anemia Association. The Association urges and supports the acceleration of research into all aspects of Sickle Cell Anemia, develops a program of public education, and offers limited assistance to those who have the disorder.  Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disorder that mostly affects people of African ancestry, but also occurs in other ethnic groups, including people who are of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. It is estimated that more than 70,000 Americans have sickle cell anemia; and about 2 million Americans, including 1 in 12 African Americans - have what is known as sickle cell trait, ie that  they carry one gene for the disease, but do not have the disease itself.

February 11, 2005:

Virginia State University’s Gospel Chorale at 7 p.m., in Oliver Hall. The Chorale, under the direction of James Holden, Jr., brings its 75-plus voice group to DCC for a concert. This event is being sponsored by the DCC Gospel Choir.

February 12, 2005:

College Day 2005, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Cherrystone Association Center in Ringgold (5551 Tom Fork Road).  This fourth event is sponsored by Danville Community College’s Alliance for Excellence Program and the Cherrystone Missionary Baptist Association of Churches, Inc. College Day features representatives from more than 40 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) throughout the United States, along with DCC, Averett University, and National College for Business and Technology. In addition to college displays and information about the admissions and financial aid process, there will be representatives from area Greek sororities and fraternities.

February 14, 2005:

Sickle Cell Anemia Trait Testing for students and the community. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, in Temple Building, Room 106-D. Co-sponsored by the DCC African-American Culture Club, this annual event will be conducted by representatives from the Danville Pittsylvania County Sickle Cell Anemia Association.

Sickle Cell Anemia Fundraising Drive will be conducted throughout the day by members of the DCC African-American Culture Club. All proceeds benefit the Danville Pittsylvania County Sickle Cell Anemia Association.

February 15, 2005:

Reggie Wayne Morris Blues Band. at 11 a.m., in Oliver Hall. Morris is a blues player born in Baltimore, MD.,  but raised outside of Charlottesville, VA. He uses an "upbeat, rockin' style that pays homage to those who bore witness and spread the blues news from generation to generation. “Gotcha By Your Blues” is the Reggie Wayne Morris Blues Band's debut release . It features six original cuts, as well as familiar favorites by B.B. King, Lightnin' Hopkins, Slim Harpo, Sonny Thompson, Rufus Thomas, and The Rolling Stones. For more information about the band, click here:

February 17, 2005:

African-American History Challenge, at 11 a.m., in Oliver Hall. Teams from DCC student clubs and organizations will compete in this Jeopardy-like contest to see who knows the most about African-American history and culture. First, second and third place prizes awarded. This event is sponsored by DCCs Alliance for Excellence program and the DCC Bookstore.

For more information about these events, or to obtain seating for groups of 10 or more people, please contact  Russell Scruggs, Assistant Professor of History, at (434) 797-8513, or Andrea Burney, Director of Public Relations, at (434) 797-8458, or toll free at (800) 560-4291, ext. 8513 or 8458.