Poet, performer Mayda Del Valle is keynote for TCC’s Hispanic Heritage Month

Poet and performer Mayda Del Valle is the keynote speaker for Tidewater Community College’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Del Valle will perform on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. at the Roper Performing Arts Center on the Norfolk Campus.

A native of Chicago’s south side, Del Valle got her start at New York City’s legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe, where she was the 2001 Grand Slam Champion and went on to win the 2001 National Poetry Slam Individual title, becoming the youngest and first Latina poet to do so. She went on to appear on six episodes of Russell Simmons’ “Def Poetry Jam” on HBO, and was a contributing writer and original cast member of the Tony Award winning “Def Poetry Jam” on Broadway.

TCC also celebrates the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Hampton Roads’ Hispanic-American community with activities on all four campuses.

All events are free and open to the public. The theme of all of TCC’s cultural activities and events for 2015-16 is “Changing America.”

TCC’s events and activities, beginning Sept. 15 and running through Oct. 12, will explore this theme by recognizing the spirit and contributions of Hispanic Americans, not only in this community, but nationwide.

For questions, contact TCC’s Information Center, 757-822-1122. For campus locations, maps and driving directions, visit www.tcc.edu/about-tcc/locations.

Keynote: Poet, performer Mayda Del Valle

Tuesday, Sept. 29, reception at 5 p.m. – performance at 6 p.m.

Roper Performing Arts Center

Del Valle has been featured in Latina Magazine, The New York Times and was named by Smithsonian Magazine as one of America’s Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences. Oprah’s “O” Magazine selected her as one of 20 women for its first ever “O Power List,” a group of visionary women making a mark in business, politics and the arts. Since 2011, Del Valle has been a teaching artist with the poetry-based, nonprofit youth organization, Street Poets, facilitating workshops around the Los Angeles area in high schools and probation camps. She is also a dancer and vocalist with the Afro-Puerto Rican bomba group Atabey, and is currently pursuing a master’s in fine arts in creative writing at California Institute of the Arts.

CAMPUS EVENTS

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 12:30 p.m.

Join us for a celebration featuring music, games, dancing, food and activities. Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, breezeway

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 23, 30 and Oct. 7, 14 – All day

Every Wednesday during Hispanic Heritage Month, educational and culturally-relevant Spanish-language programming will be featured (in collaboration with the Portsmouth Campus Library). Portsmouth Campus Student Center, movie theater room

Monday, Sept. 21, 11:30 a.m.

Students have the opportunity to create unique craft projects that help improve cultural awareness. Portsmouth Campus, Building A, the hub (across from The Forum)

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 12:30 p.m.

Join us to celebrate the history, culture, music and food of Puerto Rico. Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, breezeway

Wednesday, Sept. 23, 12:30 p.m.

Olga Torres, immediate Past President, Hampton Roads Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will speak about “Networking in Diverse Circles – An Investment in Your Career or Business.” Portsmouth Campus Student Center, multipurpose room

Tuesday, Oct. 7, 11:30 a.m.

Enjoy a fiesta with Hispanic food, music and dance. Chesapeake Campus Student Center, Chesapeake Bay room

Thursday, Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m.

Sip coffee and tea and enjoy students showcasing spoken word, song, poetry and dance. Portsmouth Campus Student Center, commons

Thursday, Oct. 8, Noon

In the movie screening of “Real Women Have Curves,” meet Ana, a Mexican-American teen struggling to strike a balance between her college ambitions and the pull of her heritage, including its views on women’s work and women’s bodies. Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, movie lounge (Sponsored by the Women’s Center and the Virginia Beach Student Center)

Friday, Oct. 9, 11:00 a.m.

The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities delivers a fast-paced, interactive workshop for students. The program encourages students to consider the roots of prejudice and its progression from thoughts to words to actions. Using humor, role playing, audience participation and real-life examples and stories, the program motivates students to consider the ways they can be agents of change and help break the cycle of prejudice in their classrooms and communities. Norfolk Campus Student Center, 5th floor (Save your seat by e-mailing intercultural@tcc.edu)

Monday, Oct. 12, 5 p.m.

Immerse yourself in Latin culture through dance and music while enjoying a “mocktail” for alcohol awareness week. Virginia Beach Campus Student Center, K-320

All Month

Here’s your chance to brush up on Hispanic Heritage Month trivia. The first student who e-mails SLupton@tcc.edu with the correct answer to the trivia questions (from TCC social media) will receive a prize!