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Pillar College Professor Gives Powerful Black History Month Speech
Dr. Joanne J. Noel, of Pillar College based in Newark, gave insights on the importance of teaching the next generation about Black history.
By Candace Waller
Dr. Joanne J. Noel, Professor of English and Dean of the School of Humanities and Culture of Pillar College based in Newark, gave a powerful presentation at the Jabari Society of Bergen County, first annual Black History event and awards ceremony on Saturday, February 24th a at the Hilton Hasbrouck Heights hotel where several community leaders were honored. The Jabari Society of Bergen County, an association of International Black Firefighters, is a 501 non-profit that puts on charitable events throughout the year.
In her call-to-action speech, “Freedom Ain’t Free,” Dr. Noel gave insights on the importance of teaching the next generation about Black history. She stated, “We must tell the story. We must remind the generations of the great sacrifice so that it is not taken for granted or forgotten.”
Dr Noel spoke about the impact of past heroes such as Ella Baker, Shirley Chisholm, Malcolm X, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., along with her ancestors on her becoming the first college graduate in her family and pursuing a career in higher education. Born in the beautiful island of Trinidad, Dr. Noel is American by choice. Thus, she also spoke on the importance of learning Black history from an international perspective and not just American.
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Quoting from poet Langston Hughes, she noted, “I too sing America” and in tribute to the literary renaissance woman, Maya Angelou, she added, “ Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and hope of the slave.”
Dr. Noel will be a workshop speaker, along with Dr. Maxine Bradshaw Professor of Psychology at Pillar College and Evangelist Shelly Bell, a Pillar College alumna and former employee of the college on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at the NJIT Atrium Center. The W.O.V.E Prayer Breakfast and 9 Fruit Workshop event, convened by Bishop Victor D. Agee of New Vision Baptist Church at the Cathedral, runs from 8 a.m.-12p.m. Those interested in attending can go to https://rb.gy/0c0z3u for more information.
