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STLCC Observes African American History Month

African American History Month

"Those who have no record of what their forebearers have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history." 
– Carter G. Woodson

February marks St. Louis Community College’s annual observance of African American History Month. This celebration aims to provide members of the College community opportunities to deepen their understanding of the role African Americans have played in our nation's history and to increase awareness about their struggle for equality, inclusion, social change and social justice. 

 

STLCC Celebrates African American History Month

STLCC believes that Black history is American history. To recognize the lasting contributions African Americans have made to our society, the College will host a variety of events throughout February, including speakers, roundtables, film screenings, food tastings, and dance and music celebrations. 

Event highlights include:

Feb. 15 | 11 a.m. - noon | Meramec Campus
Lunch and Learn: Unconscious Bias
Participants will gain an understanding of unconscious bias, what it looks like in action, and how it impacts teams, organizations, policies and practices. 

Feb. 16 | 9:30-10:45 a.m. | Wildwood Campus
A John Coltrane Appreciation and Listening Event
Attendees will get introduced to John Coltrane, one of jazz music’s finest musicians, spin some of his albums, and learn a thing or two about his life, music and spiritual journey. 

Feb. 21 | 11 a.m. - noon | Florissant Valley Campus 
Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice Discussion
Faculty members LaRhonda Wilson and Carolyn Fuller will present the history of enslavement in America, the impact of the Legacy Museum on promoting impactful discussions around issues of race and racism in the United States and share their reactions to their visit to the museum.

Feb. 23 | 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Forest Park Campus
Black History Education as Intellectual Emancipation 
Ashley Dennis, a Post-doctoral Fellow in African and African American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis, will present a lecture on Black history education and intellectual equality. 

Staff and students are encouraged to explore these activities and actively participate in them. Ask questions, reflect and consider how the information shared can be leveraged to create a more inclusive and just society. 

Explore STLCC’s events calendar for a full list of programming. 

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

The College is committed to advancing equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging, both at STLCC and across the region. Beyond celebrating African American History Month during the 28 days of February, STLCC strives to promote inclusive excellence year-round. A few recent examples of this work include: 

  • Developing new approaches to attract and retain faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
  • Establishing a new partnership with the Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber of Commerce to support our collective goal of enhancing opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
  • Working closely with corporate and public partners in the St. Louis Anchor Action Network to increase employment, income and wealth within majority Black and Brown communities facing high poverty rates in St. Louis City and County. 
  • Partnering with Complete College America and the Gates Foundation to eliminate race, ethnicity and income as predictors of student success.

D’Andre Braddix, Ed.D., executive director of diversity, equity and inclusion at STLCC, noted the significance of these efforts. 

“Public institutions are facilitators of the limitless growth potential of all people, with a charge to instill in students a belief that every person deserves to live with dignity, be valued for their inherent humanity, and be treated ethically,” he said. “At STLCC, our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are guided by our ongoing commitment to make the College a first-class institution of higher learning where all people are welcomed, respected and valued.”

Find out more about diversity, equity and inclusion at STLCC.

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