An African-America Film Festival, featuring six films by and about African Americans, will be presented Feb. 9 and 11 as part of Bellevue College’s Black History Month celebration.

Other events in the celebration include lectures, documentaries, panel discussions, an historical exhibit and a potluck dinner.

The Film Festival, produced by the Bellevue College Black Student Union, will present the films in the college’s Carlson Theatre, all free of charge and open to the public.

Feb 9: 10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.

Fundi: The Story of Ella Baker; Director: Joanne Grant, 48 minutes.

The film reveals the instrumental role that Ella Baker, a friend and advisor to Martin Luther King, played in shaping the American civil rights movement. A dynamic activist, Baker was affectionately known as the Fundi, a Swahili word for a person who passes skills from one generation to another.

By looking at the 1960s from the perspective of Baker, often called the “godmother of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee,” Fundi offers essential insights into the U.S. civil rights movement.

Followed by group discussion.

Men II Boys: 101 Things Every Boy of Color Should Know; Director: Janks Morton, 44 minutes.

The film features Congressman Elijah E. Cummings; pro football player Daniel Wilcox (Baltimore Ravens); Freeman A. Hrabowski III, president of University of Maryland Baltimore County; and TV personality and activist Jeff Johnson (BET). Featuring men from all walks of life, this film delivers words of wisdom as a resource for boys and young men of color as they grow to manhood.

Followed by group discussion.

Feb. 9, 12:30-2:40 p.m.

Black Is … Black Ain’t; Director: Marlon Riggs, 87 minutes.

The film is an up-front examination of racism, sexism and homophobia within the black community itself. Bringing together personal stories, interviews, music, history and performance, the film asks African Americans: “What is black, black enough, or too black?”

Followed by group discussion.

Breaking the Ice: The Story of Mary Ann Shadd; Director: Sylvia Sweeney, 23 minutes

The film sheds new light on the remarkable, little known story of abolitionist, suffragette and integrationist Mary Ann Shadd. Living in Windsor, Ontario, Shadd fought for integrated education, battled segregationists and started the first integrated school in Canada. Shadd later became the first female newspaper editor and the first black female attorney in North America.

Followed by group discussion.

Feb. 11, 10:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m.

Black in America; Director: Dave Timko, 60 minutes

The film, Black In America: The Black Woman & Family, hosted by CNN’s Soledad O’Brien, explores the varied experiences of black women and families, and investigates the disturbing prevalence of single parenthood, racial disparities between students and the devastating toll of HIV/AIDS.

Followed by group discussion.

12:30-2:30 p.m.

Stand; Director: Tavis Smiley, 90 minutes

It was the summer of 2008 in Memphis, the birthplace of blues. America was commemorating the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., against the backdrop of then-Sen. Barack Obama’s emergence as the first African American to become a major-party presidential nominee. As America approached that historic presidential election, national dialogue and debate intensified around the topics of race relations, politics and the legacy of the civil rights movement.

Broadcaster Tavis Smiley dissects this national discourse with 10 Black male friends over several days during a special road trip through Memphis and Nashville. While visiting places like the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King died, and Stax Records studios, where the “southern soul” sound was launched, Smiley and friends explore the diversity and complexity of the Black male experience in America past, present and future.

Followed by group discussion.

Other Black History Month activities at Bellevue College include:

Through Feb. 26, Historical exhibit: Northwest Black Pioneers at Bellevue College Library Media Center

Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Room N-201); Lecture: Rashad Norris, “Education: The Indispensable Success Tool”

Feb. 18, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Room N-201); Lecture: Dr. Rose Brewer, “The Color of Wealth: The Story Behind the U.S. Racial Wealth Divide”

Feb. 22, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Room N-201); Film and discussion: “Northwest Black Pioneers,” a companion presentation to the historical exhibit on display in the colleges Library Media Center.

Followed by group discussion.

Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. (Room N-201); Film and discussion: James Graves’ Making It Happen: Masters of Invention. Producer James Graves will be present to discuss the film following the screening.

Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Room N-201), Theatrical presentation: Karol and James Brown: A Visit With Aunt Harriet

Feb. 26, 6 p.m. (cafeteria); Program: 365 Days of Kwanzaa and potluck dinner

Bellevue College’s main campus is located at 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, at the intersection of S.E. 28th St. and 148th Ave. S.E. The N Building is located at the far south end of the campus; Carlson Theatre and the Library Media Center are located in the south courtyard; the cafeteria is located in the center of campus, next to the fountain.