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It seems right to borrow the words of the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Lonnie Bunch III, who dubbed Juneteenth both a local story and a national one. “For me it’s an opportunity to both look back but to look ahead to make sure that that notion of freedom and the fragility of…
Continue readingI always think of the holidays as a time of giving, and in this spirit, I give thanks to all who have supported both our college and the other 999 community colleges across the country. Whether you have supported us financially or given of your time or talent as a student, faculty or staff or community partner or friend, you…
Continue readingThis past week, while many celebrated Thanksgiving with family and friends, the Colorado Springs community was experiencing heartbreak. Five people were shot and 23 wounded in an attack on the LGBTQ+ community at Club Q. While we continue to witness wanton slaughter against individual groups, I write to affirm that we at CCBC stand strong with our many colleagues and students…
Continue readingA national decree in 1934 declared a day in October as Columbus Day. Last year, President Biden issued a proclamation announcing the celebration of Indigenous Peoples to coincide with that day, this year being October 10. I doubt that celebrating Columbus Day and Indigenous People’s Day on the same day is intended as a slight to the Italian American community. …
Continue readingAs each new academic year begins, our college community assembles for a convocation (we call it Fall Focus) to launch a new semester and a new year. This year’s event was powered by the theme “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Focus.” Writ large, this title translates into a universal theme “Leading with Equity,” a mantra which transcends a single event,…
Continue readingWe come from different places, different experiences, but there is one thing we all share in common. We have all spent two years, ravaged by two pandemics—one the virus, of course, and the other, an emerging awakening to the issues of social justice. It is more important than ever for us to come together to lean into these hard conversations….
Continue readingIn celebration of Juneteenth, I started with a poignant statement from President Biden: “Nations don’t ignore their most painful moments. They confront them to grow stronger.” In honoring the recently minted holiday of Juneteenth, that is the sentiment we carried forward during our recognition. We celebrated the end of slavery in the United States in 1865, more than two years…
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