Mercer clubs celebrate African American heritage month
Anthony Willis
Issue date: 2/18/10 Section: Features
The month of February is African American Heritage month and many different groups at Mercer are working to pack a year's worth of events into just one month. The different groups organizing events include the African American Student Organization (AASO), the Educational Opportunities Fund (EOF) and the Student Government Association (SGA). The theme of the celebratory events this year is "Transforming the Future through the Power of Education."
Lucia Brown is the college Bursar and coordinator of African American Heritage Month activities along with Mercer students. "We want to teach [the community] about the many known and unsung heroes who have made countless sacrifices to enhance the quality of education for the betterment of future generations," says Brown. She continues, "it's an opportunity for the younger generation to learn about their heritage and that there are people still among us that are making an impact."
The festivities are taking place on the West Windsor as well as the James Kearney Campus. JKC kicked off its celebration with Trenton community activist Rev. Kathleen Smallwood-Johnson who addressed this year's theme, as well as a performance by Trenton Central High's marching band on February 1.
The opening ceremonies, which also included a speech by Mercer's Vice President for Student and Academic Affairs Dr. Guy Generals regarding education and the impact it makes on students' economic futures, were well attended. "It was a full house and we had to make sure we had music to keep everyone there," said Brown.
The events will conclude on February 25 with an African American Heritage Luncheon on the West Windsor Campus which will feature food prepared by Mercer's Culinary Arts students. East Windsor Township Council member Walter Daniels and Dr. Generals will be in attendance. The event is open to the public and tickets are available through the Student Activities office on the first floor of the Student Center.
Regarding the goals of this month's festivities Brown says she wishes to create "increased awareness of all students of accomplishments of blacks. Also to show them that hard work and dedication has great rewards."
Lucia Brown is the college Bursar and coordinator of African American Heritage Month activities along with Mercer students. "We want to teach [the community] about the many known and unsung heroes who have made countless sacrifices to enhance the quality of education for the betterment of future generations," says Brown. She continues, "it's an opportunity for the younger generation to learn about their heritage and that there are people still among us that are making an impact."
The festivities are taking place on the West Windsor as well as the James Kearney Campus. JKC kicked off its celebration with Trenton community activist Rev. Kathleen Smallwood-Johnson who addressed this year's theme, as well as a performance by Trenton Central High's marching band on February 1.
The opening ceremonies, which also included a speech by Mercer's Vice President for Student and Academic Affairs Dr. Guy Generals regarding education and the impact it makes on students' economic futures, were well attended. "It was a full house and we had to make sure we had music to keep everyone there," said Brown.
The events will conclude on February 25 with an African American Heritage Luncheon on the West Windsor Campus which will feature food prepared by Mercer's Culinary Arts students. East Windsor Township Council member Walter Daniels and Dr. Generals will be in attendance. The event is open to the public and tickets are available through the Student Activities office on the first floor of the Student Center.
Regarding the goals of this month's festivities Brown says she wishes to create "increased awareness of all students of accomplishments of blacks. Also to show them that hard work and dedication has great rewards."
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