A celebration: Black History Month

On February 17, Oak Creek Campus celebrated Black History Month by hosting an event that educated the over 50 in attendance on the history behind Black History Month, and gave direction for the future through the speech of Dr. John Trent.Vice President of Oak Creek Campus John Stilp greeted the audience with a bit of humor during his welcome speech.

Stilp was followed by the personal reflections of Candiss Carson, freshman in the Liberal Arts program. Carson gave a heartfelt speech to open the Black History Month event.

Carson started with a personal reflection:

"We are here today to celebrate Black History Month and how this movement changed our lives. Thanks to our ancestors, we celebrate their struggles and accomplishments. We, as black people, can now hold our heads up and be proud as African Americans. While we celebrate, we need to not forget the great man who made this month possible for us."

Carson was referring to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who was the second African American to earn a doctorate, graduating from Harvard University in 1912.

Woodson was the founder of the Association for the Study on Negro Life and History. He also pioneered the celebration now referred to as Black History Month.

Carson concluded her speech by congratulating all those pioneers, inventors and innovators who helped shape Black History Month. Carson's closing words, "So in this month of February, we honor the history and achievements of African Americans from all walks of life."

Next was an interpretive dance performance by Desiree Cocroft, of Signature Dance Club. Her emotionally-packed routine to the song "Motherless Child" held the audience captive throughout her performance.

The first half of the event concluded with a buffet prepared by the MATC Catering Department.

After the meal came the introduction of Dr. John Trent, who earned four degrees including a doctorate, two masters and a bachelors within a nine-year period. He is also an inventor with patents pending. He holds the position of Specialist of Polymer Science at S.C. Johnson and Sons, Inc.

Trent's speech entitled "Priorities" drew upon the motivational words of Dr. Martin Luther King and President Barrack Obama. He used many biblical examples derived from their speeches to promote the need for students to be anchored someplace that has meaning.

Trent closed his presentation by saying, "We are in difficult times. You need to hang in there and do your best."

The event was coordinated by the combined efforts of Cathy Lechmaier, Student Life; Dorothy Walker, Associate Dean, Technology and Applied Sciences Division; and Marreese Allen-Harris, Instructor of Social Studies.

Having heard Trent speak publicly before, Ms. Allen-Harris was confident in Trent's ability to impress upon students that school is important, here and now, to prepare them for their future.

After his presentation, Harris said, "I knew he would do a wonderful job," as she and those gathered to show their appreciation for Trent's words with a standing ovation.