Moorpark College hosted its Black History Month opening ceremony on Feb. 4, in collaboration with the Black Student Union (BSU), offering an event of food, music and games to kick off the month-long celebration.
The purpose of the event was to unite students and raise awareness for racial inclusion, which was an exciting start to the month that honors the achievements and history of Black communities across the U.S.
The event began with students gathering outside to participate in important conversations and celebrate their diverse backgrounds. The Black History Month celebration also helped raise awareness of BSU’s efforts to create an inclusive campus environment for students of all races and support students who are part of the Black community.
Moorpark College’s BSU President, Giavanna Pitts, attended the event and spoke about the significance of Black History Month and the event to the BSU.
“This is a time where we can come together as a community to share food, play games and not only that but make our presence known on campus,” Pitts stated. “We have a really great and welcoming community here, so we want the student body, teachers and everyone on campus to see that they are welcomed and understood.”
The ceremony demonstrated Moorpark College’s commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. Events like these intend to address feelings of invisibility among students by bringing people together to build relationships and understanding across cultures and backgrounds.
Moorpark College second-year mechanical engineering student Amir Tazhibi expressed the importance of events like these in creating a sense of belonging for students.
“Social events don’t happen often at community colleges, so when an event like this happens, students become more engaged,” Tazhibi claims. “It can be hard to find a sense of community on campus, which is why these celebrations are needed to bring students together and celebrate the different backgrounds and cultures on campus.”
Sakari Davis, the soon-to-be event coordinator of the Black Student Union, emphasized the importance of celebrating Black history year-round, not just in February.
“The media doesn’t fully cover the Black community,” Davis said. “We don’t really get to see ourselves on TV and if we are shown on TV, we’re like the supporting character and not the main focus. So it’s really important to see our Black community succeed and to put our names out there.”
By hosting events like the Black History Month opening ceremony, Moorpark College continues to promote racial inclusion and celebrate the history of the Black community. The event emphasized the importance of unity, awareness and respect for all backgrounds, which are essential in creating a thriving campus community.
More information about Moorpark College’s commitment to celebrating Black History Month and its support for the Black community and students is available on the Moorpark College website.
