By Candace Zafirellis
West Windsor, N.J. – "Lifting as We Climb" is the month-long theme for Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) observance of African American History Month. The varied schedule of events includes presentations by inspiring African American leaders, dance and other entertainment, and an open house that explores the cultures of Africa. Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.
According to Lucia Brown-Joseph, coordinator of Mercer’s African American History Month programming and the college’s bursar, February’s activities are designed to educate, stimulate and motivate. "Mercer strives to prepare our students to make a difference in their communities and make their own lives better," she said.
The festivities begin with Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, Feb. 1, noon to 1 p.m., at Mercer’s James Kerney Campus (JKC), 102 North Broad Street, Trenton. Ray Broach, MCCC alumnus and the interim superintendent of the Trenton Public Schools, will present the keynote address. A native of Trenton, Broach has a 40-year background in education, including serving as the superintendent of the Ewing School District. He will be introduced by MCCC President Patricia C. Donohue. Students from the Garvey Charter School in Trenton will provide entertainment. The event will be held in JKC’s Kerney Hall. After the talk, guests are invited to a luncheon of Southern style food in the JKC Center City Cafe prepared by culinary students from MCCC’s Career Training Institute.
On Saturday, Feb. 4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., the James Kerney Campus hosts "Celebration: Africans in America," a community open house. Groups from African countries including Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and South Africa will tell stories of their origins. An MCCC student dance troupe, Born Free, will provide entertainment. Cultural food and music will also be part of the day’s festivities.
"Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Night" will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 7 in the gymnasium on the West Windsor Campus (WWC), 1200 Old Trenton Road. The women’s basketball game vs. Burlington begins at 5 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 7 p.m. Both halftimes will feature a hoop shooting contest and a raffle drawing with prizes. A presentation focusing on breast cancer awareness will take place at the end of the women’s game. Fans are asked to wear something pink in recognition of the event. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for senior citizens, and free to students with their Mercer ID. All proceeds from admission will go to the Breast Cancer Resource Center, a program of the YWCA Princeton. The event is sponsored by Mercer’s chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges and the Student Government Association.
On Wednesday, Feb. 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m., a discussion entitled "State of the Black Man" will be presented in JKC’s Kerney Hall, moderated by Terrance Carter, the advisor for the JKC Student Activities Board.
A "Caribbean Carnival Fete" will be held on Friday, Feb. 17, from 7 p.m. to midnight, in the WWC Student Center Cafeteria. Tickets are $5 each for all attendees. Music will be provided by D.J. Serggy.
The Blood Center of New Jersey will hold a "Blood Drive" on Monday, Feb. 20 from noon to 6 p.m., and Thursday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the WWC Student Center, SC211.
A musical event featuring the soul band "Frequency" will be held on Friday, Feb. 24, 7 to 10 p.m., at the JKC Center City Café.
An "Evening of Praise Gospel Explosion" will take place Sunday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at MCCC’s Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor Campus. MCCC student performers, local gospel choirs and praise dancers will perform. Donations are welcome, with funds to be donated to the MCCC Student Emergency Fund.
On Wednesday, Feb. 29, the month-long celebration ends with "Closing Ceremonies" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Conference Center on the West Windsor Campus. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Edythe Abdullah, the first female president of Essex County College. The event is co-sponsored by MCCC’s Student Activities Board, the African American Student Organization, and the Mercer chapter of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges. (Tickets are required. Students, staff and faculty are invited to stay for lunch following the program.)
For more information, call (609) 570-3404. For the Student Events Calendar, visit www.mccc.edu/pdf/lifting-as-we-climb_feb2012.pdf.
