Michael Vick, former professional NFL quarterback, shared his experiences with resiliency in a sit down on Zoom, to encourage students at Pasadena City College to stay determined through the COVID-19 epidemic.
Blackademia enlightens students amid America’s racist reckoning
Prior to the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor that sparked worldwide outrage in recent months, the Blackademia program at PCC held meetings discussing police brutality. A few months ago, they discussed how the lives of Black people aren’t taken seriously. Some students believe they don’t get the same opportunities to work, go to school and speak as freely as others because of the color of their skin. They expressed their anger, sadness and concern for equality for all Black people. “One of our …
PCC’s Black community mobilizes support, demands reform after killing of Black individuals
As evident with the thousands of protests that have ignited around the world, emotions such as anger, sadness, frustration, grief and fear only briefly touch upon what millions are experiencing as a result of the recent killing of Black individuals. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery lived across the country, but even PCC’s Black community feels the shared loss of their brothers and sisters. With the deaths of Floyd, Taylor and Ahmaud spanning within months of each other, it became apparent to many that …
Black students and staff call for PCC to take action
Feeling overlooked and unsupported by PCC, living in fear and getting harassed by police are just some of the experiences Black students and staff shared on the “Our Black Lives Matter – Listening Forum” that occurred on Thursday, June 4. As each panel member shared and read a portion of the resolution presented to the Academic Senate for them to denounce the killings of Black people, things simultaneously grew very emotional and heated. Frustrated by the lack of action and Black student and staff support …
Amid unrest, Black leaders demand action at PCC
After the unjust killing of George Floyd by fired police officer Derek Chauvin and ensuing protests, PCC’s Black coordinators called on leadership to address the pain students and staff are experiencing, in an email to staff on May 30, with plans to support the campus community during this time.
Ujima fosters culture, community and creativity
People are gathered at tables, painting beautiful pictures of logos, nature and space. Doing art work together, with shiny, multicolored balloons floating around the room as the soundtrack of the movie “Black Panther” played in the background. It is only one of the many events happening this February, including African dances, black history game night, and a hip hop forum. The festival was sponsored by Ujima, Blackademia, and ASPCC and was located in the CC building. The Ujima Festival occurred on Thursday, February 28 and …
PCC celebrates its diversity during Black History Month
Black History Month celebrations were taking place all over PCC’s campus this past February thanks to the efforts of Ujima and Blackademia. With over 250 students in Ujima, and many more in the Blackademia program, there was no shortage of people celebrating African-American culture. Despite hampered student attendance in the beginning of the month due to it being winter intersession, that did not stop the celebration. Director of the Ujima program, Gena Lopez, talked about this by saying, “Even though there weren’t as many students, …
Students gather at mirror pools to reflect on diversity
Last Thursday afternoon, Associated Students held a rally in support of solidarity and spoke about the issues students of all backgrounds face everyday.
Lack of black leadership on campus prompts outrage
A growing rift has opened between the PCC administration and black faculty, staff and students over recent decisions to remove black faculty from long-held positions.
New success committee strives for student equity
In order to better help students achieve their educational goals, the new Student Success committee has been created. Consisting of faculty, staff, and student body representatives, the Student Success committee forms a union of the Student Equity committee, Student Success and Support Program, and Basic Skills Initiative.