What is Black History Month?
Black History Month honors the triumph, struggles, traditions and achievements of African Americans throughout U.S. history. Conceptualized by Carter G. Woodson in 1926, it received official recognition by the U.S. government in 1976 and is celebrated in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.
While we can and should celebrate and study Black history all year long, the month of February is an opportunity to spotlight and build upon the achievements that African Americans have accomplished in our country, despite the history of racism and oppression.
Opportunities to learn more and get involved
OCC Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Kristina Marshall, shares “Black History Month is an important time for all of us to assess the work we still must do and explore how we can make OCC a more equitable and inclusive campus for all individuals.”
The office of DEIJ invites employees, students and our community shares the following opportunities to learn more:
- OCC African American Read-In - enjoy the works of Black authors and poets, read by OCC students and employees. This is a one-hour virtual event on Wed, Feb. 8 at 1 p.m.
- Black History Month Lunch Buffet – This event will take place on Thu, Feb. 9, from 11:15 a.m. – 1p.m. at the Orchard Ridge campus. Join us for a soulful taste of dishes and desserts from ethnicities of Afrocentric families. Make sure to register in advance at the link.
- Black History and Culture- excellent resource from Google highlighting the past, present and future of the Black experience in the US
For more information about DEIJ at OCC and to get involved, visit their website at oaklandcc.edu/diversity
About OCC
Oakland Community College offers nearly 100 degrees and certificates programs with the resources students need to be successful and advance our community. As a top transfer institution, OCC offers one of the state’s most affordable tuition rates and flexibility in scheduling with face-to-face and online options. The College is nationally recognized for its high-demand career training with expert faculty in their fields. More than 1 million students have enrolled in the College since it opened in 1965. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
###
Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu