BLACK
HISTORY
February 1, 2017
INSIDE
The
Week in Review
O PINION
MONTH
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Sponsored by:
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“Onions Make Us Cry,” by Zainabu Jallo of Nigeria looks into the consequences of domestic abuse. A
staged reading of the play as part of the Cascade Festival of African Films will take place at Moriarty Audi-
torium on the Portland Community College Cascade Campus on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
an appreciation of the richness,
complexity, and diversity of Af-
rican peoples and their cultures
through filmmaker discussions
ning at the Hollywood Theater, and debates on issues affecting the
4122 N.E. Sandy Blvd.
continent.
The African film festival has
Over the years, the festival has
grown steadily since its inception built the African Film Collec-
in 1991 when it had 400 people in tion in the PCC Library into one
attendance. Today, the event at- of the largest in the Northwest.
The 27th annual Cascade Festi- tracts more than 5,000 filmgoers More than 200 African videos and
val of African Films takes off this every year, bringing acclaimed DVDs are available to the public
week in north and northeast Port- directors and stars to Portland like for home viewing at no charge.
land offering an exciting month of actor Danny Glover. The draw is
This year’s festival promises to
screening 23 vibrant films from that it allows attendees a peek into one of the best yet.
across the African continent to the world of Africa through the
It opens with back-to-back
inspire a bridge of cultural under- eyes of Africans.
screenings of “Akounak Tedalat
standing with the community.
“In our increasing volatile po- Taha Tazoughai/Rain the Color
The longest-running annual Afri- litical climate, it is integral that Blue With a Little Red In It” (Ni-
can film festival in the United States free and inclusive community ger), a homage to Prince’s semi-
is hosted by Portland Community events like the Cascade Festival of nal “Purple Rain.” The film – a
College with the movies and spe- African Film continue,” said Tra- collaboration between Portland
cial events taking place all month in cy Francis, festival coordinator. director Christopher Kirkley and
honor of Black History Month and “Now, more than ever, we need to actor/musician Mdou Moctar of
into the first week of March.
open our minds and hearts to un- Niger – will show twice at the fes-
Most activities are held at the derstanding different cultures, and tival’s opening – night gala.
Moriarty Auditorium on the PCC create safe spaces for personal and
New to the festival this year will
Cascade Campus, 705 N. Kill- artistic expression.”
be staged readings of two new Afri-
ingsworth St., but a kick-off gala
The mission of Cascade Festi-
C ontinued on P age 8
opens the festival on Friday eve- val of African Films is to develop
Cultural Bridges
M ETRO
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PCC Names New Board Chair
pages 9-13
Thorne-Ladd is
first black woman
to lead panel
Arts &
ENTERTAINMENT
C LASSIFIEDS
C ALENDAR
African film fest
opens with 23
vibrant films
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The Portland Community Col-
lege Board of Directors Thursday
named Kali Thorne-Ladd as chair
of the board from her previous
position as vice chair. She is the
first African-American woman to
serve as PCC’s board chair, and Kali Thorne-Ladd
at 39 years old, she is also the
youngest.
Thorne-Ladd represents north
Portland and portions of Colum-
bia County on the seven-member
governing panel.
“I am deeply honored to serve in
this role on behalf of the college,”
said Thorne-Ladd. “PCC is an eco-
nomic engine for the region, com-
mitted to offering equitable access
C ontinued on P age 15