VGCC Franklin Campus Celebrates Black History Month

Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus celebrated Black History Month with a special program on Feb. 17. After Franklin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May welcomed students, faculty, staff and community members to the event, campus director Anthony Pope offered an original poem and introduced musical performances by students Precious Richardson, David McMoore and Shavaughn Bryant.

The Honorable Quon Bridges, a district court judge for the state’s Ninth Judicial District, served as the keynote speaker. Judge Bridges reflected on great figures from African-American history, including Mary McLeod Bethune, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman. He said that their stories should serve as inspiration to young people today. “Frederick Douglass was born a slave but educated himself, and wrote 20 books,” Bridges said. “I ask children today, ‘How many books are you going to write?’” Bridges noted that he recently attended the inauguration of President Barack Obama with his daughters, which he said was an emotional experience. “There wasn’t a dry eye as I looked around,” Bridges recalled. “My daughters did not cry at my swearing-in!” he added, to laughter. “I don’t take for granted what God has blessed me with,” Bridges said. “I know that people suffered so that I could have a better life today.”

Pope said that the Black History event was one of many events throughout the year in which the Louisburg campus intends to recognize the contributions and history of various people and cultures.

Above: District Court Judge Quon Bridges speaks at the Franklin County Campus Black History Month program. (VGCC photo)