Kate Smith, Ed.D. President | Rio Salado College
Kate Smith, Ed.D. President | Rio Salado College
February marks Black History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the African American community. Rio Salado College, along with other institutions in the Maricopa Community Colleges District, is hosting events throughout the month to engage with the community and promote dialogue on equity and inclusion.
The observance of Black History Month traces back to 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson initiated Black History Week. Over time, this expanded into a month-long celebration due to efforts by generations of African-American activists. The colors black, red, yellow, and green are often associated with this observance, symbolizing resilience, sacrifice, justice, optimism, fertility, and nature's abundance.
Rio Salado College offers resources for those interested in learning more about Black History Month through its library guide filled with videos and articles highlighting African-American cultural and historical contributions.
Several virtual events are planned:
- "Black Male Leaders in Higher Education" on February 13 will feature Keith Whitfield, Will White, Daron Finley, Ulysses Allen, and Dr. Lamont Slater discussing their experiences overcoming systemic barriers in academia.
- "Bars and Beyond: Unpacking Kendrick Lamar's Revolutionary Song" on February 20 will be hosted by Paradise Valley Community College. This panel discussion will explore Kendrick Lamar's music as modern-day activism with insights from Tafari Osayande (Rio Salado College), Dr. Anthony Pratcher (Northern Arizona University), Mary Bankhead (Paradise Valley Community College), Chris Oreoluwa (Paradise Valley Community College), and Kevin Smith (Paradise Valley Community College).
- "The Descendent: A Journey Through History" on February 26 features Mr. Darron Patterson from the Netflix documentary Descendant. The event will discuss themes of identity and empowerment within the African diaspora.
These events aim to inspire participants while fostering a deeper understanding of history's impact on present-day realities.
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