Crafton Hills College Celebrates Black History Month
Publish Date: March 3, 2023
Photo: (L to R) Dr. Willie Blackmon, Alexis Ford, Kashaunda Harris, Dr. Aysia Brown.
Crafton Hills College students, staff, and faculty kicked off this year’s Black History Month Celebrations with a presentation by Dr. Aysia Brown, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at San Bernardino Community College District, along with Roadrunners, Professional Development Coordinator Ms. Kashaunda Harris, Director of Outreach Dr. Willie Blackmon, and Completion Coach Alexis Ford.
This year’s theme, “Black Resistance,” was intertwined with a message of hope, love, and pride as each of the presenters imparted their inspiring personal experiences and the inspiration for their endurance.
Harris began the ceremony by introducing the Swahili term Habari Gani, used mostly during Kwanzaa celebrations as a greeting, meaning “what’s up?” before reminding the group that Black history is American history and that it should be celebrated year-round, not just in February.
Dr. Willie Blackmon’s message focused on mental health struggles. Blackmon stated that “sometimes it’s okay to not be okay.” Blackmon stressed the stigma in the black community regarding mental health, stating that “63% of black people believe that mental health conditions are a sign of personal weakness.” His message culminated with the need for change to remedy healthcare professional bias, inequality of care, and lack of cultural competency. Harris led a libation ceremony as part of the cultural celebration. “This is how we pay homage to those who are no longer with us. It is tradition to pour libations in remembrance of our ancestors on all special occasions because the ancestors have done the work and led the way for us to be here where we are today. Ashe!,” stated Harris.
Dr. Brown incorporated what she referred to as her golden rules as the basis for her presentation while connecting poetry, quotations, and stories to declare love as the sustaining force against oppression. “I’ve been Black since before I was born. And it has been the most beautiful, burden-es, blessing of my life to navigate that fact and that reality,” shared Brown.
Alexis Ford, a recent CHC alumnus who now works in the CHC Student Services department while finishing her bachelor’s degree at California State University San Bernardino, shared her experiences and her wishes to be an advocate for students of color. She came to Crafton as a re-entry student when she was 24 years old and soon qualified for and joined the Honors Institute.
Additional Black History Month events and activities are being held throughout the month.
