(Suffern, NY) February 9, 2026 — Rockland Community College (RCC) is celebrating Black History Month with enriching and engaging events throughout February, focusing on the theme “Black Excellence: 100 Years of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of African Americans,” honoring the heritage, history, culture, leaders, and more.
“At Rockland Community College, we believe education is most powerful when it reflects the full richness of our shared history,” stated Dr. William P. Mullaney, President of RCC. “This year’s Black History Month programming highlights a century of African American excellence and invites our community to engage deeply with the voices, stories, and contributions that continue to shape our world.”
Rockland Community College received the 2025 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Academia magazine, the nation’s oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The HEED Award recognizes institutions with comprehensive, campus-wide initiatives for all underrepresented groups, including Black students and faculty. This national honor recognizes RCC’s outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community building across all levels of campus life, and marks the fifth consecutive year the College has earned this distinction.
All events listed below are free and more information can be found here sunyrockland.edu/media/black-history-month/
Friday, February 13, 12:00 pm EST
Black Film Screening: We Want the Funk
We Want the Funk explores the history and impact of funk music, from its African, soul and early jazz roots to the explosion of 70’s urban funk and beyond.
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/black-film-screening-we-want-the-funk/
Tuesday, February 17, 12:30 pm EST
Panel Discussion on Get Out
A faculty-led panel will discuss the film Get Out by Jordan Peele for its technical and cultural relevance in collaboration with the RCC Film Club.
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/panel-discussion-on-get-out/
Tuesday, February 17, 2:30 pm EST
Black History Month Art Exposition & Artist Remarks
Featuring artist Al J. Thompson
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/black-history-month-art-exposition-artist-remarks/
Thursday, February 19, 5:00 pm EST
Education, Finance & Black Social Organizations
A panel discussion on Education, Finance, and Black Social Organizations
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/education-finance-black-social-organizations/
Thursday, February 19, 7:00 pm EST
I’ll Make Me a World: The 100-Year Journey of Black History Month
In collaboration with the African American Historical Society of Rockland County, Rockland Community College is hosting a virtual Zoom Black History Month program marking 100 years of Black History Month’s origins and legacy. This event will feature a keynote conversation with Jarvis R. Givens, Ph.D., Professor of Education and Professor of African and African American Studies at Harvard University.
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/ill-make-me-a-world-the-100-year-journey-of-black-history-month/
Monday, February 23, 12:45 pm EST
Presentation on Poet Audre Lorde and Artist Carrie Mae Weems
Student Art Gallery Walk
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/presentation-on-poet-audre-lorde-and-artist-carrie-mae-weems/
Tuesday, February 24, 12:30 pm EST
Importance of Financial Planning and Planning for Retirement
Professor George Repic presents the topic of “Importance of Financial Planning and Planning for Retirement”
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/importance-of-financial-planning-and-planning-for-retirement/
Thursday, February 26, 7:00 pm EST
Keeping it Funky! Black Female Voices of the 1970’s
Celebrate the music of Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Chaka Kahn, Roberta Flack, Betty Wright, and Betty Davis with student musicians from the RCC Contemporary Music Ensemble.
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/keeping-it-funky-black-female-voices-of-the-1970s/
Friday, February 27, 12:00 pm EST
Black Film Friday
Screening of the documentary film Soul Food Junkies, where filmmaker Byron Hurt explores soul food and its connection to the Black community.
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/black-film-friday/
Saturday, February 28, 11:00 am EST
Black History Month Closing Ceremony
Event includes Song, History of Black History Month, Poetry, East Ramapo Band, East Ramapo Drumline, Choir, Chiku Awali, Vendors
https://sunyrockland.edu/event/black-history-month-closing-ceremony/