NW Mississippi News

CCC Announces 2023 Black History Month Festivities, Alcorn’s Rhodes to Keynote Convocation

Continuing its annual tradition of celebrating the rich culture and remarkable contributions to society made by African Americans, Coahoma Community College has released its 2023 Black History Month schedule of events.

Jeremy Pittman, Honors College director / Business & CIS instructor, served as chairman of Coahoma's Black History Month Observance committee. While leading the group’s efforts, Pittman felt a sense of purpose and duty to bring quality events during the Black History Month Celebration.

“It is important to continue to educate our community on the stories of the brave, bold, and evolutionary that helped to transform our local community, state, and nation. The legacy and richness of examining the Black resistance is profound as many of the strategies of addressing a system not designed to be equal has been a catalyst for every other movement in our nation,” said Pittman. We hope our work as a committee continues to honor the tradition of examining our story in a way only we can do.”

The institution has planned a variety of events sprinkled throughout the month of February. This year’s theme is “Black Resistance: A Journey to Equality.” Each event was developed purposefully, considering the impact made to attendees.

Cynthia Williams, director of Research, Assessment, and Strategic Initiatives, served on the planning committee and believes that this year’s celebration will bring insightful information to the CCC campus community.

"I am proud to be employed at an HBCU where we recognize the importance of Black History Month.  As a race, we cannot forget how far we have come, the challenges we currently face, and our aspirations for a better future.”

A capstone of the celebration will be the Black History Convocation, scheduled on Wednesday, February 22, at 10:30 a.m. in the Pinnacle.

Dr. C.J. Rhodes, director of Religious and Spiritual Life; founding director of the Hiram Rhodes Revels Institute for Ethical Leadership; and interim director of the Myrlie Evers- Williams Honors Program at Alcorn State University, will serve as keynote speaker.

A native of Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Rhodes was called into the ministry at the age of 18, a month after graduating with honors from Hazlehurst High School, where he helped revive the student government and served as a student representative to the school board.

He received his BA in Philosophy from the University of Mississippi in 2004, where he served in the student government and was a leading student voice for racial justice and reconciliation. In 2009, Rhodes received his Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School as a Fund for Theological Education Fellow. He earned his Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Biblical Seminary in 2018. Before obtaining his doctorate, he gained continuing education in the inaugural Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, as well as Princeton Seminary’s inaugural Black Theology and Leadership Institute.

 The campus community is highly encouraged to attend Black History Month events and enjoy all that has been thoughtfully planned.

Original source can be found here.