Students, faculty, staff and the community are welcome and encouraged to participate in Monroe County Community College's annual Black History Month celebration, as part of the college’s Culture and Current Affairs Series. Most of the events are free and all are open to the public.
On Thursday, February 15 at 5:30 p.m., MCCC, CREED (Coalition for Racial Equality, Equity and Diversity) and the NAACP of Monroe County will present "LISTEN," a listening session for all who want to share their thoughts on race relations, healing and reconciliation in the community. Robin West Smith, adjunct instructor of sociology at MCCC and in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at Wayne State University, is founder and CEO of the WADE Center for Self-Development and an author, will facilitate the listening session. The listening session will be held in MCCC's La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater on the college’s Main Campus, 1555 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI.
On Tuesday, February 20 at 3:00 p.m., Anthony Brogdon will present “How Enslaved People Gained an Education,” via Zoom. Brogdon is a historian, author of America's #1 black business history book, “Black Business Book”, producer of “Business in the Black” documentary, and host of the internationally acclaimed podcast “Strong Inspirations,” and is working on a feature length movie, “They Did It,” about the lives of 12 black business owners who lived in the 1800s. A much sought-after speaker on the topic ‘Good Black History’,Brogdon is a native Detroiter and graduate of Oakland University. To join the Zoom session, log in to https://zoom.us/j/97538531306?pwd=b2VGbmdrYXYrK1hwMk1NTi9aK1NOdz09 Meeting ID: 975 3853 1306 Passcode: 795212.
On Wednesday, February 21 at 3:00 p.m. Patrick Barley and Jeffery Albergo will share a presentation on Robert S. Duncanson (1821 – 1872) in the Dining Hall of the Warrick Student Center on the college’s Main Campus. Duncanson was an African American/Scottish landscape artist who spent his childhood in Monroe, Michigan. In 1830, Robert's family moved from Fayette, New York, Duncanson's birthplace, to Monroe. While living in Monroe he learned the trade of house painting from his father. At age 19, Duncanson left Monroe for Cincinnati, Ohio, then a major American cultural and artistic center to pursue his dream of becoming a fine art painter. In the mid 1900's the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art recognized Duncanson as the "Best Western Landscape Painter in the 19th Century." For the 2021 Inauguration of the 46th President, President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden chose Duncanson’s “Landscape with Rainbow” from The Smithsonian National Gallery of Art collection to be displayed in the White House.
In 2021 Barley and Albergo founded the Robert Seldon Duncanson Society. Barley, an award-winning artist in his own rights, has worked for 30 years in administration of adult career education programs, community services/community outreach, newsletter publication, marketing, youth and adult education, adult basic education and ESL programs. Albergo is a photographer and graphic designer whose work has been displayed locally and internationally. He designed and developed an outstanding presentation of Robert Seldon Duncanson's life, travels, and work. Barley and Albergo they will talk about Mr. Duncanson's incredible artistic contribution to both the United States, and Canada, and also his contribution to the entire world.
On Monday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. the MCCC College/Community Symphony Band and Agora Chorale will host a concert in the Meyer Theater in the La-Z-Boy Center on the college’s Main Campus. Both groups will be performing music from all female composers, including a piece by Florence Price, a black female composer from the early 20th century amongst many others. Doors open at 7 p.m. for this free, general admission concert.
On Tuesday, February 27 at 3:00 p.m., Brian Egen will discuss the River Raisin Legacy Project park via Zoom. Egen is an award-winning film director and producer, Civil War historian and lifelong student of history. He has been employed at the Henry Ford, in Dearborn, Michigan for the past 27 years. He currently serves as executive producer, overseeing the film department and is a coordinator for the CBS television’s award-winning The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation. He also serves as chair of the Monroe County Historical Commission, the River Raisin Heritage Corridor and the City of Monroe’s Commission on the Environment & Water Quality. In 2019 he became chair of the River Raisin Heritage Corridor Commission through the City of Monroe, Michigan. To join the Zoom session, log in to
https://zoom.us/j/96818276188?pwd=c1RaYmJsT2M3Mk1lZGZrbjlJWHZnQT09 Meeting ID: 968 1827 6188 Passcode: 111219
On Wednesday, February 28, at 7 p.m. “George Washington Carver and Friends,” will be performed in the La-Z-Boy Center, Meyer Theater on the college’s Main Campus. This wonderful children's show explores noted scientists, groundbreakers and entrepreneurs from black history giving students (recommended Pre-K – fifth grade) a fast-paced and accessible introduction to many influential black Americans who have shaped the nation over the last 150 years. The lives and accomplishments of Booker T. Washington, Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, Madame C.J. Walker and other famous leaders are brought to life in this empowering production. Tickets are $5.00 per person and can be purchased at monroeccc.edu/GWCarver.
About Monroe County Community College
Founded in 1964, Monroe County Community College is a public, two-year institution supported by tax monies from Monroe County, educational funds from the State of Michigan and student tuition. The college’s mission is to enrich and transform lives by providing opportunities and excellence in higher education. The Main Campus is located at 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, Mich., 48161, with easy access to Toledo and Detroit. The Whitman Center is located at 7777 Lewis Ave.,Temperance, Mich., 48182, near the Ohio-Michigan Border. Detailed information about MCCC is available at www.monroeccc.edu.