Arts highlight VGCC Black History Month celebration
Vance-Granville Community College celebrated Black History Month throughout February with a series of activities highlighted by music, poetry, visual art and culturally significant food. Events were held, often simultaneously, at all four VGCC campuses: the Main Campus in Vance County, South Campus between Creedmoor and Butner, Franklin County Campus near Louisburg and Warren County Campus in Warrenton.
At Main Campus, the kick-off event on Feb. 4 featured remarks from the president of the college, Dr. Stelfanie Williams. “This celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the rich tapestry of contributions of black Americans to American history,” she said. She cited the examples of many African-American inventors whose innovations, from automatic refrigeration to the ironing board, are used in our daily lives. “But as important as history is, your story is the key,” the president told students. “VGCC wants our students to dream, design, and discover in order to leave their own marks on history.” Attendees at the kick-off events enjoyed red velvet cake, which they learned was appropriate because of its association with the Juneteenth holiday, an annual commemoration of the end of slavery.
On Feb. 13, students were invited to read poems with Black History themes. Three students from Adult Basic Skills, Christopher Alston of Macon and Corey Terry and Myiesha Williams, both of Henderson, wrote and performed original poetry, while a fourth, Cheryl White of Henderson, performed a dramatic reading of a poem by Langston Hughes.
A special guest, ethnomusicologist Bisi Adeleke, came to Main Campus on Feb. 25. Professor Adeleke lives in Atlanta but is originally from Nigeria and is a member of the Yoruba tribe. Dr. Tolokun Omokunde, the coordinator of VGCC’s Male Mentoring Program, introduced Adeleke and explained that most African-Americans can trace their ancestry to Yoruba members. In one presentation, Adeleke demonstrated the “talking drum,” a traditional Nigerian instrument that is designed to mimic human vocal cords. He explained that, for generations, drummers retained and related local history, communicating stories and even political messages. Adeleke and Omokunde also conducted a discussion of West African “rites of passage” and how “manhood training” can be applied in the United States.
The month’s celebrations ended on Feb. 27 with “soul food” provided for students, faculty and staff. At Main Campus, this event also included a performance by children from the Child Care Center, who sang songs that touched on themes of diversity, working together, and great figures from black history such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and George Washington Carver. Also on Feb. 27, VGCC Black History Month subcommittee chairman Glenn Alston announced the winners of a contest in which students created educational Black History posters. The first-place prize went to a group of Cosmetology students from Franklin Campus. Danielle Harris of Louisburg, a Computer Information Technology student, placed second. The third-place prize went to Ruthie Davis of Warrenton, a Business Administration student.
Above: Franklin Campus Cosmetology students pose with their winning poster; from left, on first row: Rhonda Gibbs (instructor), Paige Johnson, Japri Simpson, Jessica Archambeau, Brandi Hayes, Nakeyiah Harris, Tracey Fuller, Magnolia Hunter (instructor); second row: Alicia Hinton and Salina Alston (junior instructor trainees), Pashion Bullock, Jacinda Ellington, Karen Lindsey and Britni Carter; third row: Crystal Gates, Mildred Dunston, Kendrick Allen, Paul Thorne, Tammy Dudding (junior instructor trainee) and Connie Epps. Not pictured: students Amber Dennis, Jenna Ray, Jamesha Holden, Chelsea Hoffman, Tony Harris, Shy’deshia Davis, Samantha Davis, Amanda Rosa and coordinator Vivian Smith.
Above: Several students read Black History-themed poetry on Feb. 13. From left are VGCC Black History Month subcommittee chairman/Basic Skills coordinator Glenn Alston, student Cheryl White of Henderson, instructor Gail Washington, who read poetry written by student Myiesha Williams, Corey Terry of Henderson, Christopher Alston of Macon and Black History Month subcommittee co-chair/Business Administration instructor LaTonya Steele. (VGCC photo)
Above: Prof. Bisi Adeleke, an ethnomusicologist, performs the Nigerian “talking drum” during a presentation at VGCC’s Main Campus on Feb. 25. He is seen here playing the so-called “daddy drum,” the largest of three drums, which traditionally was used only to awaken kings each morning at their palaces. (VGCC photo)
Above: Children from the VGCC Main Campus Child Care Center hold hands while singing a song on diversity on Feb. 27. (VGCC photo)
Above: VGCC South Campus Dean Cecilia Wheeler (center, holding microphone) addresses students, faculty and staff at a Black History Month “soul food” lunch on Feb. 27. At right is Black History Month subcommittee member/South Campus receptionist Diane Blalock.
