MCC to Host Virtual Events Celebrating Black History Month

As an institution serving a diverse population of learners, Middlesex Community College strives to celebrate the histories, art, music and cultures of the college’s students. Although the majority of courses, student services and events remain online due to the pandemic, Middlesex will host several online events throughout February to commemorate Black History Month.

“In the face of the many challenges our nation is facing, celebrating Black History causes the MCC community to reflect on the ideals that this country upholds of liberty and justices for all,” said Dr. James Dottin, MCC’s Department Chair of Business Administration & Economics and President/Chair of Faculty Staff Association. “We – the MCC community – play a part of making this world a better place for all people to live in peace and harmony no matter their color, gender, economic status or sexual identity.”

Many of the events are hosted by MCC’s Black History Month Steering Committee in partnership with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. With these events, the committee recognizes and celebrates the many achievements that African Americans have contributed to the country. By offering virtual platforms, they hope “many participate and learn with open hearts and minds.”

“At MCC, we want people to understand that Black lives are about more than marches and martyrs,” the Steering Committee said. “Black lives are not just heroic and tragic figures that we read about in the news or in history. There’s a joyous complexity and diversity of everyday Black lives and communities that many people may not have heard of before, and MCC’s Black History Month Steering Committee strives to introduce people to those stories from our own community and beyond.”

Follow the Leader: Recognizing Our Ancestors, Forging Our Own Paths will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, February 1. The online presentation and discussion will look back on significant leaders of the past in African American history, their path to the present day, and the implications of identity politics and social structures in the African American community.

MCC will welcome guest lecturer Dr. Thomas L. Doughton, Senior Lecturer from the College of the Holy Cross Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3. Dr. Doughton will present and lead a discussion that recognizes the history, diversity and multiplicity of “Strength in Diversity: New England People of Color.”

Dr. Doughton specializes in the Holocaust, comparative genocide, Native American studies, local history and African American history. A former resident of Paris where he did graduate work, he takes Holy Cross students to Europe for a six-week summer course on alternate years and has led tours on New England’s African American history for adults.

The event MLK & The Strength of Shared Dreams will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10. Presenter Ron Jones for Dialogue on Diversity will lead a live character portrayal and video to highlight how Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Poor Peoples Campaign” was a turning point in intersectional advocacy.

An event featuring song, dance, spoken word, poetry readings and Black history trivia entitled, Black Talent Showcase: The Journey will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 17.

In celebration of MCC’s 50 years as an institution, there will be an opportunity for Middlesex Black alumni, faculty and staff to discuss their experiences in shaping the college over the past 50 years. During the event – that will take place from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24 – they will also talk about where they see the college going in the next 50 years.

“Celebrating Black History Month 2021 as part of the college’s 50th year anniversary is so fitting,” Dr. Dottin said. “The many contributions that MCC African American faculty, staff and students have made – and continue to make ­– enrich the legacy of the college in striving for equity and inclusion for all.”

To kick off the Spring 2021 season of “A World of Music Concert Series,” faculty members from MCC’s Music department will perform “Celebrating Black Composers from Europe, Africa, United States and South America.” The concert – recorded at MCC’s Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center – will air online at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 26.

Throughout the month, the podcast The Liturgists will offer a daily episode of “Black History is American History,” highlighting Black public figures.

Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/internationalstudents/blackhistory.aspx for more information on MCC events celebrating Black History Month throughout February.

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