Muskegon Community College will celebrate Black History Month 2024 by hosting a series of lectures, an African American Read-In, and a visit to the Detroit Institute of Art & Charles Wright Museum of African American History. There are fees attached to the museum, all other events are free and open to the public.
Thursday, February 8: Lecture Series: “Afros, Fades, and Razorblades.”
As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Muskegon Community College (MCC) will offer a speaking event titled “Afros, Fades, and Razorblades: The Role and Influence of Cultural Factors on The Academic Performance of African American Males.” The event aims to shed light on the crucial intersection of cultural factors and academic performance, particularly focusing on the experiences of African American males. The lecture will take place on Thursday, February 8, from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at the MCC Stevenson Center in room 1300.
Thursday, February 15: “Restorative Pathways: Lessons from Rwanda,” 6:30-8:00PM, Sturrus Technology Center
The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies-Muskegon, housed at Muskegon Community College, will host Carl Wilkens, an author renowned for his extraordinary journey during the 1994 genocide in Kigali, Rwanda. Wilkens made history as the only American who chose to remain in Kigali, as members of the Hutu ethnic majority in the east-central African nation of Rwanda murdered as many as 800,000 people, mostly of the Tutsi minority. The event takes place on Thursday, February 18 from 6:30 P.M.-8:00 P.M., at MCC’s Sturrus Technology Center in downtown Muskegon.
Sunday, February 18: “Soul Food Experience/Honoring the Past Celebrating the Present and Inspiring the Future”
Muskegon Community College President Dr. John Selmon will give a 30-minute lecture, as the program aims to “raise awareness of the challenges that continue to plague our communities,” while inspiring “our youth and leaders to face difficulties with solutions be being initiative takers, developing valuable relationships, collaborating with others gather resources and respectfully communicating with others.” Soul Food experience at 1:30 P.M., Program begins at 3:00 P.M. Queen Esther Missionary Baptist Church, 2220 Superior St., Muskegon Heights, Michigan 49444. NOTE: This is not an MCC sponsored event, however, President Selmon is the keynote speaker.
Wednesday, February 28: “African American Read-in”
Muskegon Community College will host “The African American Read-In” on its campus Wednesday, February 28, from 2:30 P.M.- 3:30 P.M. in Room 1300 on the main campus located at 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, Michigan, 49442. A public demonstration of interest in and support for the beauty and power of African American literature, the event was started by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) back in the 1980s. It was intended to redress the short shrift given to writers (novelists, poets, playwrights) of color. Now, traditionally people come together to read aloud from a favorite piece of writing by Black authors.
Friday, March 1: Trip to Detroit Institute of Art & Charles Wright Museum of African American History
Muskegon Community College continues the celebration of Black History on March 1st as MCC’s Center for Experiential Learning Trip is inviting students, staff, and community members to travel to the Detroit Institute of Art & Charles Wright Museum of African American History. The cost is $100 and includes transportation & Museum Access to both locations. Spots are limited. For more information or to book the trip, call 231-777-0364.