The specific heat capacity is a measure of the energy required to raise the temperature of one gram of a substance by one degree Celsius.

In calorimetry, a negative q always indicates that heat is absorbed by the system.

The heat equation $$q = m*c*ΔT$$ relates the amount of heat to the mass, specific heat, and temperature change of a substance.

For an exothermic reaction, the system releases heat, which is represented by a negative q value.