By Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – Central Arizona College will host multiple events and celebrations during the month of February to commemorate Black History Month.
On Tuesday, Feb. 10th, Wes Woodson, Mental Health & Motivational Speaker will host two sessions at the Signal Peak Campus (8470 N Overfield Rd., Coolidge, Room I400/401.) The first of these will include a presentation on navigating mental health, belonging and finding support & community. It will be held between noon and 1:15 p.m. That evening from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Woodson will present a motivational speech on “I have Anxiety, So what?” Helping individuals turn stress into self-love with real strategies for mental wellness. Twenty-five students will receive a free signed book and there will be drawings for free CAC swag and Wes Woodson giveaways.
The Entertainment Industry Technology (EIT) Club will hold an Open Mic Night on Thursday, Feb. 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Students and CAC employees will perform a variety of Hip-Hop, Jazz, and R&B covers along with original music. Community members are invited to perform and may register by contacting centralaz.eitclub@gmail.com or visiting @planet.eit on Instagram. Food trucks including Sundays Soul Food and Kabobski will be onsite during the event.
The celebration continues Tuesday, Feb. 24th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with the 25th anniversary of CAC’s Black History Month Poetry Contest at the Signal Peak Campus, room I400/401. The event will include the annual Pecha Kucha (speaking competition) hosted by the CAC Communications Department, Black History display boards (curated by CAC Students on a variety of topics) and Kawambe Omowale, African Drum & Dance Theatre. A free Soul Food lunch will be available while supplies last.
This year CAC commemorates 25 years of The Black History Poetry contest as a long-standing tradition. The Cultural Expression Competition is a poetry and public speaking event in which CAC students can express their experiences, stories, and knowledge related to the theme utilizing poetry and the Pecha Kucha speaking presentation style. The theme for this year’s contest is “Rooted in Resilience.”
Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to submit their poems related to the theme. Poetry contest submissions should be emailed to eliana.leamons@centralaz.edu. For the Pecha Kucha speaking competition, video presentations must be submitted to Professor Michelle Young at michelle.young1@centralaz.edu. The deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, by 6 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the top finalists.
To receive text reminders for these events, register at https://calendly.com/student-engagement-centralaz.
For more than 50 years, Central Arizona College has been serving and educating the diverse communities of Pinal County. With five campuses located strategically throughout the county, CAC provides accessible, educational, economic, cultural and personal growth opportunities for those of all ages.
CAC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and antidiscrimination. CAC strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of the following protected classes and/or characteristics, in all of its operations, programs and activities, including but not limited to employment, promotion, admissions and access to all career and technical programs: race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. For more information contact: Laura Shepherd, Title IX Coordinator at 480‐677‐7853 or titleix@centralaz.edu; Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 520‐494‐5409 or studentaccessibility@centralaz.edu or Human Resources at human.resources@centralaz.edu.
