STLCC-Florissant Valley and NCCU Host 2020 Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration
Carol Daniel, KMOX news anchor and the Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists president, will speak on the celebration’s theme, “Let’s Build Bridges, not Walls.” The event is free and open to the public.
In 2008, Daniel helped launch the Emmy Award-winning lifestyle television show on KMOV-TV, “Great Day St. Louis” before moving on to her next career as an author. Her first book, “All I Ever Wanted: Relationships, Marriage, Family,” was met with praise from her many fans.
Named St. Louis Press Club’s “Media Person of the Year,” she is also an award-winning columnist, having spent nearly 10 years writing for the St. Louis American newspaper. Among many other honors, she has received two National Newspaper Association awards for her column, “Carol’s Journal.”
The celebration’s reception is from 5-6 p.m. in the Terry M. Fischer Theatre, located at 3400 Pershall Road. The program follows from 6-7:30 p.m.
During the program, the talent of North County youth will be celebrated as local students are the focus. The celebration’s emcee and student speaker is Jannetta Robinson, a freshman at STLCC-Florissant Valley. The vocalist is Alayna Epps, a senior at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The winners of NCCU’s Oratorical Contest will deliver their speeches, and music from a local choir and band are also part of the evening.
Normandy Schools Collaborative will be honored with the 2020 Dr. Rance Thomas Excellence in Community Partnership Award.
Dr. Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, campus president and chief academic officer at STLCC-Florissant Valley, said the Normandy Schools Collaborative was chosen to receive the award because of their commitment to student success and opportunity.
“Florissant Valley’s first Early College Academy graduates came from Normandy, and they have consistently sent 20 or more students each year to participate in our dual enrollment programs,” Perkins said.
“They also worked with our Life Science Lab Assistant program in the summer to provide students an avenue toward certifications. They are currently working on developing a dual credit program,” she added. “Their dedication to providing students opportunities for college-level work — and college graduation — before high school graduation serves as an example to our service area.”
In keeping with Dr. King’s commitment to service, guests are asked to make a donation to the Archers’ Market, a campus food pantry for STLCC students to get food and hygiene items free of charge.
The Archers’ Market has an abundance of canned vegetables; donations are requested for deodorant (for men and women), drink mixes and single-serve flavor packets for water like hot chocolate and tea, feminine hygiene (tampons, pads and panty liners), hand warmers, lotion, men’s razors, microwavable shelf-stable meals, nuts, protein bars and granola bars, single-serve soups, socks, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, trail mix and winter gloves.
Attendees will receive a “bridge memento reminder” that includes the theme, “Let’s Build Bridges, not Walls.”
Leading up to the celebration, STLCC-Florissant Valley students will have an opportunity to participate in five different “Let’s Build Bridges, not Walls” interactive education exercises.
An alternate date for the celebration, should the College close due to weather, is Thursday, Jan. 23, on the same time schedule.