WCCC Celebrates Black History Month in February

            YOUNGWOOD, PA –Westmoreland County Community College will hold several events this February in observance of Black History Month, ranging from a panel discussion to a soul food luncheon, which will be held at the Youngwood campus.

            "Let’s Talk About Race" is the theme of the panel discussion scheduled for 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, February 2 in the Founders Hall amphitheater.

The panel moderator will be E. Jeff Holmes, WCCC board of trustee member.  Serving on the panel will be Rich Adams, assistant to the president for Diversity and Equity, Community College of Allegheny County; Dr. Richard Arnold, pastor, Freedom Baptist Church, Jeannette; Dr. Burrell Brown, Esq., chairman/Business and Economics, California University of Pennsylvania; Robert G. Flipping, Jr., supervisor, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Christopher T. Moore, producer and talk show host, WQED; George Simmons, Western Pennsylvania director, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission; Dr. Tom Soltis, assistant professor/sociology, WCCC; Tim Stevens, chairman, Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP).

The discussion is free and open to the public.

            The 18th Annual WCCC African-American High School Achievement Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, February 23 in Commissioners Hall.  The keynote speaker is Robert Carter, Mayor of Jeannette.  The event recognizes Westmoreland County African American high

school students who excel in academics, athletics, performing arts and community service.  Tickets are $15 per person and reservations are required by calling 724-925-4214.

            The activities continue Saturday, February 27 at 11 a.m. with “An Afternoon of Soul,” featuring a soul food luncheon held in Commissioners Hall.  The event will feature a brief presentation on story quilts by International Fiber Artist Tina Williams Brewer, “History Quilts Then and Now.”  Brewer’s work is best known for its three dimensional quality and African symbolism.  Her fabric is often hand dyed creating a tie-dyed appearance.  Her quilt, “The Harvest,” was one of 50 works exhibited at the Juried National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta in July 1990.  The event will also feature soul line dancing, food demonstration, vendors, ticket auction and drawing.  Tickets are $17.50 per person.  For tickets, call 724-925-4139.

            The events are sponsored by the WCCC Black Awareness Committee and all proceeds benefit the WCCC Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund.

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