Campus & Community

Palm Beach State College is celebrating Black History Month through a series of virtual events this month to recognize the contributions of African Americans in the United States.  

The free events include online trivia games, testimonies of people who attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a four-day series Feb. 9-12 organized by the College’s Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Cross Cultural Equity Institute, the Equity Office and the District Diversity Council.  

“I encourage all students, faculty and staff to attend as many of the BHM programming as they can,” said Dr. Karline Prophete, interim director for the Dr. Barbara Carey-Shuler Cross Cultural Equity Institute. “These events were curated with them in mind. Join a dialogue, contribute to a conversation, and walk away inspired to be change agents in your own spaces.” 

Events are: 

Feb. 4 – Noon to 1 p.m.
Kahoot, Black History Month Edition
A Kahoot game featuring trivia on Black History Month. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place.
RSVP

Feb. 9. – Noon to 2 p.m.
Black Male Initiatives: A Review of the Literature
While the percentage of black males entering higher education continues to increase, there remains a lack of knowledge on the most effective pedagogical structures and educational contexts necessary to promote collegiate success. Join Dr. Traci Baxley, of Traci Baxley Consulting, to examine what factors impact or influence the success of men of color when compared to their peers. Moderated by PBSC professor Dr. Kalisha Waldon, participants will leave with a better understanding of the systemic barriers plaguing higher education and the support necessary for this important and resilient population to continue thriving.
Zoom Link

Feb. 10 – Noon to 1 p.m.
Musical Icons of the Civil Rights Movement – An Educational Experience Through Song and Music
Presented by PBSC librarian Alia Spencer and Wenfred Dorsey, reentry program supervisor at The Lord’s Place, participants will learn and listen to a series of contributions from musical artists whose work inspired and influenced the Civil Rights Movement. 
Zoom Link

Feb. 11 – Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Aspiring Males Coaching
A roundtable mentoring session for male students and employees of color to help shape and navigate their professional journey. Join Dr. Paul Besson, a consultant at New Day Solutions, as he discusses the importance of self- development, finding advocates and gaining constituency.
Zoom Link

 Feb. 12 – 9 a.m. to Noon
The Ground Water Approach
We often ask the question, why are we still seeing the same outcomes for people of color? The Ground Water Approach has been developed by the renowned Racial Equity Institute. This interactive session explores the roots, impact and outcomes of racial inequity from the analysis of a powerful metaphor.
This is a limited seating event for the first 100 employees. Please email Juanita Hook at benjamij@palmbeachstate.edu to confirm your attendance and the link will be sent to you.

Feb. 15 – Noon to 1 p.m.
Faculty/Staff Roundtable about the book “Teaching/Supporting Men of Color in the Community College” 
A group of PBSC faculty and staff who took the CORA course and/or read the book  “Teaching/Supporting Men of Color in the Community College” will highlight  what they have learned, and lead a discussion on strategies that help at-risk students increase in their classroom engagement and overall success.
RSVP

Feb. 16 – 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
HBCUs Untold Stories
The panel discussion, sponsored by the PBSC Chapter of the National Council on Black American Affairs,  will feature PBSC employees and others who will share their first-hand stories of their HBCU experiences.
RSVP

In addition, the PBSC libraries recently digitized the book “Like A Mighty Banyan: Contributions of Black People to the History of Palm Beach County” which was first published by Palm Beach Junior College in September 1982 with a second publishing by Palm Beach Community College in February 1996. 

 The book has been added to the libraries digital archive at https://archive.org/details/like-a-mighty-banyan/mode/2up and is available for the community to view and download.