Calling all Seahawks (Students, Faculty, and Staff)! Please join us for a Fun Run for Autism Acceptance. Enjoy interactive stations along the route to expand your knowledge of neurodiversity topics and celebrate differences!

Students, Faculty and Staff: Join our Irish American Heritage Month Celebration featuring live, native Irish music from Jeff Herbert. There will be fun, Irish heritage giveaways and light refreshments. This event is co-sponsored by Student Life and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) committee.

The "American Dream" persists in the national culture and lexicon despite originating nearly a century ago. But what is that dream? Could any hard-working person achieve it, or have some populations always been excluded? Is it attainable or even desirable today, or have many people changed their vision of the ideal future? In this event, we ask experts in history, political science, popular culture, and economics to explore these questions—and to illuminate a path forward to the Dream.

An inspiring reimagining of a moment that changed America forever.

On the evening of April 3, 1968, after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. retires to his room in Memphis’ Lorraine Motel while a storm rages outside. When a knock on the door reveals a hotel maid bearing a cup of coffee, King soon finds himself confronting his past and present, future and legacy—and reconciling the prospect of a life’s work completed without closure.

Calling all students, faculty and staff!

The Office of Student Leadership and Inclusion invites you to participate in our first Black History Poster Contest and Walk of Fame. Join us for the poster contest or just the Voting event on February 12. The choice is yours!

First, create a poster to commemorate:

• a Black History milestone or event
• an African American that has made a tremendous impact on American History
• Black American Pride

Once you have entered the contest, completed posters are due to Arshaneka Fountain in the Student Life Office on or by Thursday, February 8, 2024.

Then, join us for the unveiling and voting at our Black History Walk of Fame on February 12, 2024 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the Technology Center (Bldg. D), Room D208.

Visit the Black History Walk of Fame to view the contestant's posters as well as additional artwork and key facts placed throughout the room. Enjoy refreshments and vote for your favorite poster!

Inspired by true events, Black Angels Over Tuskegee is a vibrantly energetic, emotionally captivating, award-winning drama that tells the story of six trail-blazing men who exhibited courage to excel in spite of overwhelming odds.

The play follows the collective struggle of the first African American aviators in the United States Army Air Forces as they overcame Jim Crow-era injustices with intelligence, patriotism and brotherhood as they worked towards their dreams of an inclusive and fair society.

For almost two decades, The Eric Byrd Trio (EBT), pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, and drummer Alphonso Young, Jr., have traveled the world as enthusiastic ambassadors of jazz. With a sound rooted in swing and be-bop, this talented trio incorporates gospel and the blues into their expansive performance style.

The trio’s music will transport you to another time and place with its soulful and dynamic sound. From toe-tapping swing to heart-wrenching blues, The Eric Byrd Trio’s mission is to play splendidly within the broad & rich jazz tradition, taking a rigorous, modern approach to standards and original compositions.

Martin Luther King Jr Day is a federal holiday in the United States that takes place on the third Monday in January. The life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. are commemorated as a tribute to his significant contributions in the civil rights movement.

In his honor, the Office of Student Leadership and Inclusion, in collaboration with the Black Student Union, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Multi-Cultural Student Union and Student Leadership Council, invited students, faculty, and staff to be a part of our campus community unity project: a donation drive for hats, scarves and toiletries to be donated to local Women and Children’s shelters on January 15, 2024.

Cultural competence is the ability to successfully interact with people of different backgrounds and recognize differences in experience. Being culturally competent is a continual process that involves an ongoing critical examination of one's attitudes, awareness, knowledge, and to negotiate cross-cultural differences to complete tasks and/or create positive living, learning and working environments. Organizations with strong diversity climates are more likely to have students and employees with increased job satisfaction and higher levels of trust and engagement.

Training session presented by Mark Bell, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at the University of Baltimore and an adjunct faculty member at Cecil College.

A virtual speaker event for students, faculty and staff featuring The Hon. Boyd Rutherford, Former Lt. Governor, State of Maryland; Rev. Dr. Alveda King American activist, author and former Georgia state representative (niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.); and Miles Dean, Dean of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Cecil College – Moderator, discussing the impact of Brown v. Board of Education yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Join the Student Life Office in commemorating Black History Month! Help us create a paper dream quilt to showcase important moments in Black history and highlight beacons of hope that represent culture, community, and freedom. Enjoy themed giveaways and desserts!

Cecil College celebrated Native American Heritage Month with Jennifer Folayan and her conversation on “The Tree in Me Connecting Our Roots." Jennifer is an Expressive Arts and Indigenous Rights Advocate, as well as a business owner and graphic designer that has created events and programs that serve to empower and unite survivors of rape, incest, domestic violence, and foster care youth through the healing arts so that we can heal and discover our own empowered voice. She is of Pueblo, Cherokee, Aztec and Spanish descent. She is currently residing in Spokane, Washington serving as a Cultural Specialist at the Healing Lodge of Seven Nations. She also serves on the Board of Directors at the
 Baltimore American Indian Center.

Students were invited to learn more about LGBTQ+ struggles, LGBTQ+ celebrities, and proper terms and pronouns to use through a variety of Q&A’s.

Democracy is literally at stake if citizens disengage from the political process. Yet many young people worry that their voices don't matter because they do not see the power of one vote or because they distrust the voting process itself. We want to start a conversation about our political and voting systems: whose voices are, or are not, heard and why? What, if anything can we do to make the process more equitable for all Americans?

Presentations include:

• "My True Vote Counts: Employing Data and Analytics to Secure Elections" by Dr. Natalie Scala
• "Securing the Right to Vote" by Dr. Gilda Daniels
• "Being the Catalyst for Local Change: How One Person Can Make a Difference" by Dr. Meghan Walls

Presentation titled, "Let’s Connect with Our Hispanic Heritage & Community" given by Nina M Guzman, Executive Director of Alianzas de Phoenixville, and Daniel Egusquiza, Executive Director of Barrio Alegria in Reading, PA.

The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, ensures voting rights for everyone regardless of gender. Today, Women’s Equality Day celebrates the achievements of women’s rights activists and reminds us of the unique daily struggles that women face. To make sure women are not oppressed by anyone, we need to empower them with education.

By the Numbers

• 18 — the number of countries where husbands can legally prevent their wives from working.
• 39 — the number of countries where sons and daughters do not share equal inheritance rights.
• 1 in 5 — women and girls have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse by a partner.
• 23.7% — the percentage of women representation in national parliaments.
• 108 — the number of years it will take to bridge the gender gap.
• 6 — the number of countries that give women equal work rights as men.
• 47% — the percentage of the increased likelihood for women to suffer severe injuries in car crashes because safety features are designed for men.
• 13% — the percentage of women globally who are agricultural landholders.

Source: nationaltoday.com/womens-equality-day

More Resources

To learn more about this National Day, visit the following articles on the web:

• Gender Pay Gap Widens as Women Age
• Nanfu Wang's Biography

Or watch the following videos:

• The 19th Amendment
• The political progress women have made—and what's next

Look for more resources at the Cecil Library and the Diversity & Inclusion Library Guide.

For questions and comments, contact the Student Life Office at studentlife@nullcecil.edu.

Cecil College faculty and staff attended the following presentations given by Makya Purnell and Cecilia Rivera from The University of Maryland Eastern Short Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance at All College Day:

• Fostering A Diverse & Inclusive Environment: The Why & How — To define the differences between diversity and inclusion
• Recognizing and Addressing Microaggressions — To identify, define, and explore microaggressions

The presentation slides were made available to all employees via MyCecil.

Every year, during the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community celebrates in a number of different ways. Across the globe, various events are held during this special month as a way of recognizing the influence LGBTQ+ people have had around the world. Why was June chosen? Because it is when the Stonewall Riots took place, way back in 1969.

LGBTQ+ resources and information about the Cecil County Pride 2022 Festival shared via The Communiqué, e-blast, and social media.

May is Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) or Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM)
.

This year, our theme for APAHM is “healing.” APAHM is a time of celebration and reflection.
 First recognized in 1979, APAHM was established to commemorate two historical moments: the initial arrival of Japanese immigrants in May 1843, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in May 1869 in which many of the workers were Chinese immigrants.

Cecil College celebrated Women’s History Month with a Maryland Community Colleges Virtual Conference called “Women Promoting Hope.” Guest speakers for this event included Mrs. Imani Black, Founder and CEO of Minorities in Aquaculture and Dr. Tisa Silver Canady, Author and Collegiate Financial Wellness Expert. The 2022 Women’s History theme—“Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”—was both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during the pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. This conference was a collaboration with Chesapeake College and open to all Maryland Community College students and employees.

The Art and Design program collaborated with Student Life to hold a virtual presentation on healing and the arts. The title of the event was “What Now? Making Meaning from the Mess” with guest speaker Tikvah (Nadia) Womack. Tikvah is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) and expressive arts therapist, she specializes in trauma and cultural sensitivity. She currently works full-time at an outpatient community agency in Baltimore, Maryland and serves as the Jews of Color (JOC)-Allies Project Coordinator at Dimensions. Tikvah is part of a vibrant Jewish community and a board member of a diverse and growing modern orthodox synagogue.

This virtual faculty discussion is being offered to Cecil College through Frederick Community College (FCC).

We have watched Ukrainians defend their homes from Russian aggression, seen the devastation caused by the shelling of cities, and witnessed the birth of a terrible humanitarian and refugee crisis. We have grappled with our horror over the unfolding of one war and our simultaneous fear that it could turn into a larger one.

On Thursday, March 10th, please join FCC faculty for a virtual discussion on the war in Ukraine. Together we will address questions from the audience and explore the history and context that led to this moment.

This faculty panel will be followed by a conversation with Katya Mezerhinsky, who fled Ukraine on February 23rd at 5:00 am with her friend and two children. She will join us via Zoom to share her story, as well as to shed light on her experience and those of the million plus war refugees.

A faculty discussion and collaboration between the Instructional Design Project Manager, Coordinator of Accessibility Services, and Coordinator of Student Diversity and Inclusion.

Students from a variety of courses attended the Black History Month virtual guest speaker presentation by Rev. Dr. Frederick T. Faison, Lincoln University Chaplain and AVP of Student Success, Health and Wellness. His presentation was titled “Black History Month Speaker (2022) A Chronicle of 100 Years in African American Poetry, Prose and Music.” The 2022 Black History Month theme was “Black Health and Wellness.” This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birth workers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora.

A film and book discussion of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Henrietta Lacks: The Untold Story, by Ron Lacks, one of Henrietta’s grandsons. Boasting an exceptional cast and production team, and based on Rebecca Skloot’s critically acclaimed 2010 nonfiction best-seller of the same name, the HBO Films drama tells the true story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line, known as HeLa. Cecil Collge students, faculty and staff had free access to the film through Swank Digital Campus. Extra copies of the books were available at the College Library.

Students learned about Chinese New Year and Black History Month during Welcome Week events sponsored by Student Life.

In observance of Native American Heritage Month in November, guest speaker Noah Crockett, a Native American Culture and History consultant, presents Relationships Between People and Land: A Brief Synopsis of the Indigenous Tradition in the Northern Chesapeake Bay Area. Mr. Crockett is Lumbee and Nanticoke with expertise in the cultures and traditions of the eastern woodlands.

International Education Week, from November 15–19, is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education is part of an effort to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences in the United States.

If you want to learn more about study abroad programs through Arcadia University as a transfer student, watch the spring 2021 presentation on Modern Ireland.

Did you know that some of our students come from or identify with the following countries?

• Brazil, Colombia
• Dominican Republic
• Ethiopia
• French Guiana
• France
• Ghana
• Greece
• India
• Italy
• Kenya
• Lithuania
• Mexico
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Panama
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Turkey
• Vietnam

We joined former First Lady Michelle Obama in conversation with students about the themes in her memoir Becoming.

Yara Shahidi, a producer, actress, and change maker best known for her starring roles in the acclaimed television series Black-ish and Grown-ish, and currently a student at Harvard University, served as moderator.

Since its inception as an independent nation, the United States has been identified as a "nation of immigrants," but debates over the identity and value of immigrant populations have persisted equally, manifesting most recently as tension over DACA legislation and expressions of "Asian hate." Demographics for "desirability," such as nation of origin, religion, ethnicity, education level and skill set, have shifted along with the economic needs and cultural attitudes of the country. So, too, have the criteria required to become a legal citizen.

Although immigration reform is a constant refrain in journalism and politics, many citizens do not know the history, economic impact, or legal processes that shape our present and should inform our path forward. This event provides that essential background through expert testimony and opportunities to ask questions on the issues that affect the lives of so many.

Panel speakers/presenters followed by Q&A:

• Dr. Andrew Urban: "History as a Path to Understanding: How US Borders, 'Illegal' Immigration, and the Right to Asylum Came to Be"
• Dr. Daraius Irani
• Lindsey Sweet: "Immigration Law Update 2021: What does it mean to come legally to the United States?"

The Seahawk Pride Club and Student Life celebrated National Coming Out Day through a watch party and discussion on what it means to come out, courtesy of characters in the following television shows streamed through Hulu and Netflix: Love, Victor, Schitt’s Creek, and Master of None.

Research in social psychology has consistently shown that how we interpret the world around us has big implications for how we behave and the outcomes we achieve. This is certainly true for our students and, using this insight, researchers have developed several small, low-cost interventions that can be applied at either the classroom or campus level to improve student engagement and success.

Drawing from this literature on "wise interventions," Cyndi Kernahan describes the science behind a variety of such interventions and explains how they might be used to improve student persistence, boost grades, and help close the gaps we often see between minoritized and other students.

A social psychologist, professor of psychological sciences, and director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Cyndi’s expertise is in the psychology of prejudice and racism. Her scholarly work is typically focused on better understanding how students learn about race and racism and how psychological factors influence student learning and student success more broadly. Her book, Teaching About Race and Racism in the College Classroom: Notes from a White Professor, was published in 2019 as part of the Teaching and Learning in Higher Education series of West Virginia University Press. Learn more at her website, cyndikernahan.com.

The theme invites us to celebrate Hispanic Heritage and to reflect on how great our tomorrow can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope. It encourages us to reflect on all of the contributions Hispanics have made in the past, and will continue to make in the future.

With that in mind, our 2021 Hispanic Heritage Speaker, Mr. Gabriel Acevero, is a young leader in Maryland, already working for a better future for the Hispanic/Latinx community locally and nationally.

Mr. Acevero is the State Delegate for District 39 in Montgomery County. On November 6 2018, he became the first openly gay Afro-Latino and one of the youngest members elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. An immigrant from Trinidad, Delegate Acevero has been a champion for immigrant communities and immigrant rights both as an organizer on the 2012 Maryland Dream Act campaign, and now as a state legislator.

He shared information on the following topics:

• His immigrant experience
• Organizing and advocating for the passage of the Maryland Dream Act
• The work of the Legislative Latino Caucus
• Hispanic/Latinx culture
• The census and demographic changes

Women’s Equality Day is observed on August 26th in the United States. The day honors the women's suffrage movement in the U.S. and remembers the hurdles women had to overcome in their stride towards progress.

Today we get to see women representatives in the military, in space, and as CEOs of Fortune companies, but they had to undergo many struggles to achieve equal rights. In the United States, women were not allowed voting rights until 1920 when the 19th Amendment was approved.

Film Viewing and Discussion

Film: Suffragette

"Advances and Inequalities for Women, 100 years after the 19th Amendment"

Book selection: The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

This book club is one of several initiatives of the Inclusivity Collaborative of Cecil College. The goal of this book club is to find, read, and discuss titles that foster an awareness of social justice topics. These topics will include, but not be limited to, disparities experienced by groups due to oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and religion. Cecil College faculty and staff are invited to attend virtual meetings and to participate in online discussion boards.

Virtual resources shared via E-Blast, Communiqué, and Social Media. Local and national Pride Festivals were also shared.

Teaching about race and racism can be difficult, eliciting strong emotions as students struggle to reconcile their previous beliefs with what they are learning. Drawing from both the research literature as well as from her own experience, Cyndi provides evidence for how learning works with respect to race and racism along with practical strategies for facilitating learning. In doing so, she focuses on providing a compassionate classroom environment for both the students and the instructor as well as drawing important distinctions between the experiences of White people and people of color.

Virtual information shared via E-Blast, Communiqué, and Social Media.

Modern Ireland and Study Abroad Opportunities at Arcadia University Presentation

By Mr. Timothy Barton, Director of Institutional Relations, The College of Global Studies at Arcadia University. Mr. Barton shared a brief history of Ireland c10,000 BC to the present and discussed Study Abroad opportunities for all College students, regardless of degree/area of study.

Lunch & Learn: Irish Music Celebration

A celebration of history and Irish Music with musician and lecturer Robert Engelman. Brief performances on the fiddle to demonstrate a few principles, types of tunes of Irish traditional music. A few clips of diverse recordings from different eras and places to show the music at its best and most exciting.

7 Dynamic Women Tour

Team Cecil - 7 women speakers, Saturday, March 13
Team Harford -7 women speakers, Saturday, March 20

A two-hour motivational speaking event that was held online, with two teams of seven women speakers who shared their amazing life stories. The purpose of the Tour was to advocate total freedom through the healing, growth, transformation and empowerment of women.

College Women of Color Conference "Thinking About Me"

Collaboration with Chesapeake College, open to Maryland Community College’s students, faculty and staff. Workshops on Financial Literacy, Self-Care, LGBTQ+ Awareness and Job Readiness.

"Daughters of the Underground", A group of women who walked the 116 mile stretch of the Underground Railroad from Harriet Tubman's childhood home at the Brodess Plantation to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania where she first achieved freedom.

An opportunity for Cecil's students, faculty, staff, and community members to learn more about Harriet Tubman and her fight for freedom. The Panel will discuss their research before the event, and the museums they visited before embarking on their walk from Cambridge, Maryland to Philadelphia. They will share their research before starting their walk, what they learned along the way, and future projects as they plan to walk to Canada where Harriet Tubman lived part of her life.

Racism, stereotyping and bias on college campuses have all been well-studied and well-documented. But despite their important implications for students, these experiences are often not as well understood by faculty and staff, especially on predominantly White campuses. Translating the research, Cyndi Kernahan will explain how bias, at both the individual and institutional levels, affects students and their educational outcomes and what we can do to become more fair and more just in our work with students.

Book selection: Dear America, Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by José Antonio Vargas

This book club is one of several initiatives of the Inclusivity Collaborative of Cecil College. The goal of this book club is to find, read, and discuss titles that foster an awareness of social justice topics. These topics will include, but not be limited to, disparities experienced by groups due to oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and religion. Cecil College faculty and staff are invited to attend virtual meetings and to participate in online discussion boards.

An opportunity for students, faculty & staff to share their own family traditions around the holidays via photographs. The Coordinator of Student Diversity & Inclusivity shared photographs, videos, music, and information on holidays including Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Mexican Posadas, and Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe, among others.

National American Indian Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. The College utilized the National Congress of American Indians and The National Museum of the American Indian websites to create awareness for Cecil College students, faculty, and staff as well as the larger community.

Veteran’s Day

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, the people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Veteran's Day 2020 at Cecil College was celebrated by honoring students, faculty, staff, and family members who are Veterans. A presentation of photographs of Veterans along with a description of where they served was shared with the Cecil community (students, faculty & staff).

Human Resources worked with an external trainer to provide the college community with foundational and fundamental training focused on the creation of a common language and understanding around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The workshop addressed foundational awareness around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and topics included self-awareness and reflection, the power of inclusion, and how to lead and partner inclusively.

Representatives of local law enforcement, community activism, social work, and domestic and international criminal justice faculty tackle the important issue of the future of community safety. Q & A following the presentations:

• 21st Century Policing: Challenges and Opportunities as We Move Forward, Sheriff Scott Adams
• Bridging the Gap Between Law Enforcement and the Community, Reverend Kevin Brown
• Developing an Effective Partnership with Local Law Enforcement: One Crisis Center's Experience, Edgar Wiggins
• Police and the Community: Repairing the Cultural Divide, Ashley Fundack
• Policing Culture and the Culture of Policing: What We Can Learn about Policing by Looking Abroad, Aaron Fichtelberg

Connecting ourselves and others through short films about mental health and working to eliminate the stigma of mental health.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States which recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Cecil College celebrated Hispanic Heritage with a variety of events for students, faculty, staff and the greater community, including round tables, with information about the contributions of Hispanic Americans, a Netflix Watch Party and a panel discussion.

Book selection: Between The World And Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

This book club is one of several initiatives of the Inclusivity Collaborative of Cecil College. The goal of this book club is to find, read, and discuss titles that foster an awareness of social justice topics. These topics will include, but not be limited to, disparities experienced by groups due to oppression based on race, gender, sexuality, nationality, and religion. Cecil College faculty and staff are invited to attend virtual meetings and to participate in online discussion boards.

August 26th, 2020 celebrated Women’s Equality Day and the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. Suffragists began their organized fight for women’s equality in 1848 when they demanded the right to vote during the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. For the next 72 years, women leaders lobbied, marched, picketed, and protested for the right to the ballot. Cecil College resourced a variety of websites, videos, and films to create awareness for our students, faculty, staff, and the greater community for this important celebration.

Led by Coordinator of Student Diversity and Inclusivity Mayra Castillo, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Dr. Ashley Fundack, and English Professor Dr. Jennifer Levi, this "Coming Together" event discussed Compstat, a tool used by various police departments around the nation to combat the use of force in policing. Discussion also included racial profiling and data from the Department of Justice from Baltimore City as it pertains to reported crimes that negatively affect Black/African American communities.

Hosted by Mayra Castillo, Coordinator of Student Diversity & Inclusivity, and members of the Inclusivity Collaborative, this "Coming Together" virtual event focused on how race, racism, social injustices, and other traumas related to racism affect men and women in the Black/African American Community. A variety of articles and videos were employed to facilitate discussion of this issue. Discussion included the lack of available resources and mental health professionals regarding racial trauma.

Hosted by Mayra Castillo, Coordinator of Student Diversity & Inclusivity, and members of the Inclusivity Collaborative, this "Coming Together" virtual event discussed films, series’, or documentaries about the implications of institutional racism and/or social injustices. Recommended Black/African American Directors included Spike Lee, Barry Jenkins, John Singleton, Gordon Parks, Jordan Peele, Ava DuVernay, Ryan Coogler, and Ossie Davis.

The College is closed for the 4th of July to allow for students, faculty, and staff to commemorate the Independence of the United States of America with their families.

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

This "Coming Together" virtual event examined the life of Harriet Tubman via the 2019 film Harriet as well as other historical sites in Maryland that depict the history of slavery and freedom during the Civil War era.

As our first "Coming Together" virtual event from the Office of Diversity and Inclusivity and the Inclusivity Collaborative, this was our inaugural event for conversation, hearing personal stories, and answering questions or sharing comments following the deaths of Mr. George Floyd, Breonna Tayler, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others as well as conversation regarding racial injustice and moving towards racial justice.

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual) and a time for remembering those who paved the way for the LGBTQ+ community in addition to those who continue to do so. It is a time for education and breaking down barriers. The College provided a variety of information, websites, videos as well as hotlines for LGBTQ+ students in need.

The Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia Micronesia and Polynesia. Cecil College celebrated virtually with weekly short videos and links to websites via social media, student e-Blast and the Faculty/Staff virtual newsletter, The Communique.

National Women's History Month

The Women's Heritage Month 2020 celebration was cancelled due to Covid-19.

Irish American Heritage Month

The Student Life Office showed the film "Ireland’s Great Hunger and the Irish Diaspora" three times on Thursday, March 12, 2020 to allow students, faculty & staff multiple opportunities to stop by to watch the film. Food was offered as well as a short discussion on themes in the film after each session. The Milburn Stone Theatre donated 20 tickets to Cecil College students to attend the 2020 Celtic Festival on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The Celtic Festival featured Charlie Zahm, one of the most popular soloists at Celtic music festivals. The Brandywine Harp Orchestra was one of the featured acts, as well as the McAleer School of Irish Dance.

Keynote Speaker; Cheryl Renée Gooch, Ph.D., author of Hinsonville’s HEROES: Black Civil War Soldiers of Chester County, Pennsylvania, discussed her book which traces the stories of residents of Hinsonville (now parts of Oxford and Lincoln University), a free black community who fought for the Union. Some of these heroes can also be traced to parts of Cecil County, including Chesapeake City and Port Deposit. A Cecil College student read a portion of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.