STLCC-Florissant Valley, NCCU Host Virtual Dr. MLK Jr. Celebration
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
The community event – which is from 6-7:30 p.m. – will be conducted virtually, but it will still include inspiring speeches, celebrate excellence in the community with a formal award presentation and more. Participants are invited to watch the event on the MLK Celebration page, visit the page for more details.
Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “Intelligence Plus Character, That is the Goal of True Education,” will be Rudolph Nickens. He is the diversity, equity, inclusion and sustainability partner at Evolution, a coaching, consulting and investment firm.
Nickens is an experienced facilitator, educator and entrepreneur with a strong background in cultural diversity, business management and community development. He previously served as director of equal opportunity and diversity for the Missouri Department of Transportation.
In keeping with tradition, north St. Louis County students will lead and participate in the celebration. Azariah “Z” Estes, a first-year, general transfer student at the College, is the celebration’s student emcee. Students speakers are Aquita Lowe and Zoe Wallace. Lowe is a second-year, general transfer student; Wallace is a first-year, general transfer student at the College.
Participants will also hear winning speeches from NCCU’s Oratorical Contest and can sing along to an instrumental rendition of James Weldon Johnson’s “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Christian Hospital will receive the 2021 Dr. Rance Thomas Excellence in Community Partnership Award.
“Christian Hospital and President Rick Stevens are incredible partners with St. Louis Community College through a diverse and large number of avenues,” said Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, Ed.D., campus president and chief academic officer at STLCC-Florissant Valley. “To begin with, and probably most specifically, Christian Hospital partners with our nursing and health sciences programs to offer valuable training to future healthcare professionals. Beyond the incredible partnership they share with STLCC, they are instrumental in the community and strive to improve the health and welfare of everyone in the region by providing stellar patient care, educational opportunities and participating in outreach activities to all north St. Louis County residents.”
The contingency date for the virtual celebration, should the College close due to inclement weather, is Thursday, Jan. 21 on the same time schedule.