Special Events

Former professional wrestler and member of the WWE World Tag Team Title-winning Spirit Squad after Wrestlemania 22, talks about his transition from the sports entertainment world to Santa Monica College for an education that led him to transfer to CSUN.

Founding director of Crossroads School's Equity and Justice Institute, former senior deputy for public safety and justice in the office of County Board Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and a longtime community leader talks about social justice.

Refugees, homelessness, and efforts to educate incarcerated individuals - particularly those of college age - will be discussed by a panel featuring campus and community leaders.

Beat The Bush is a well-known Youtuber that makes financial literacy videos. He engages his audience with candid practical advice while incorporating his unique sense of humor. Beat The Bush was formerly an engineer, but retired on Oct 6, 2017 when he became financially independent. He started making videos on Youtube 4 years ago. Since then, he has uploaded over 800 videos and has amassed over 200,000 subscribers.

Trauma psychotherapist Satsuka Ina and dierector Abby Ginzberg discuss the Silver Gavel Award-winning documentary that connects the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans with today's activists speaking out against the Muslim travel ban.

Come enjoy live poetry readings by a noteworthy spectrum of writers that includes Ernest Padilla, Mario Padilla, Wil Doucet, Grace Singh Smith, and Cecilia Martinez-Gil, as well as a selection of SMC students. Part of the Literary talks & readings series.

León Krauze, originally from Mexico City, is currently a news anchor at Univision KMEX in Los Angeles. A former sports journalist and international policy analyst, he is also the author of La Mesa: Historias de nuestra gente (The Table: Stories of our peo

Join SMC sociology professor Dr. Rebecca Romo, SMC psychology professor Dr. Karen Gunn, former FBI agent Chris Woiwode, community activist Josef Sanchez, and others for a panel discussion-moderated by student trustee Chase Matthews-on how gun-violence red

Civil rights activist talks about getting back on track after her release from prison, and starting the nonprofit A New Way of Life to provide housing and other support to formerly incarcerated women. She also discussed issues related to the BLM movement.

Carolyne Edwards and other representatives of The Philomatheans-one of the oldest African American service organizations in Southern California-will talk about the rich history and culture of African Americans in Santa Monica. Sponsored by the SMC Associa

Kyle Bowser is the founder of Res Ipsa Media, Inc., a multimedia production company that has developed and produced an array of multimedia projects, and garnered development deals with Warner Bros., Home Box Office, and 3 Arts Entertainment. He has worked

Will Finn talks about his 36-year career as an animator, director, character designer, and storyboard artist for a range of studios - including Walt Disney Animation Studios, Dreamworks, Warner Bros, Reel FX, IMAGI, Filmation, and Don Bluth Films.

Renowned award-winning independent filmmaker/producer Andre Gordon - president and CEO of 4Horsemen Film, and an actor working with UTA, CLEAR Talent Group, and Flick Commercials - talked navigating and succeeding in the entertainment business.

Don't miss this screening of Our Voice-a new documentary, directed by actor/producer Jeff Wood, offering an intimate, personal view of the TV and film industries through the eyes of professionals of color-followed by a panel discussion.

A special poetry reading in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing Hispanic and Latino American heritage and culture. Ernesto Padilla is a poet and publisher who has introduced the community to writers such as Poet Laureate of the United S

Two community leaders - outstanding individuals wha have risen to achieve the highest levels of success in their fields and communities - present and informative discussion specifically adressing leadership in the African American community.