Tom Zimmerman (left), Ernesto Querijero, Emanuel Terrell and Chantelle Franklin were given awards recognizing the importance of community and helping each other out. They embodied what MLK wanted for the future.
Courtney Prielipp | The Washtenaw Voice
Beck Elandt
Staff Writer
Music, food, and a resounding sense of equity could be found on the second floor of the student center on Jan. 16 at the campus-wide Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. Black History Month means many things, namely the celebration and remembrance of African American perseverance, and its importance to society.
“Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate,” said King in his “The Purpose of Education” speech.
At WCC, the concept of equity is something embedded in WCC’s mission statement “Our college strives to make a positive difference in people’s lives through accessible and excellent educational programs and services.” Some students take it a step further and proactively represent MLK’s sense of justice.
“In my case, I can use my capacity for empathy to enact change in the world while I’m still here. We all have the power to feel empathy, and through it, we learn to sacrifice for the benefit of us all,” said Inayah Amir Bey who earned her associate in digital media arts from WCC, speaking before the Equity in Action Awards, which represent an employee, a college department of initiative, or a community partner that has made an outstanding contribution in the areas of equity and inclusion for WCC and our greater community. Through her endeavors, Amir Bey aims to embody King’s contributions and create a space where people can learn and prosper through her work.
Equity Awards
The First Equity in Action Award recognized Emanuel Terrell, manager of the Entrepreneurship Center. Terrell is passionate about mobilizing others economically to promote welfare through the individual and into society.
“No matter who I meet, I meet them where they are,” Terrell said in his speech. When asked to describe how diversity and inclusion support an aspect of community, Terrell responded with networking.
“Networking is key,” Terrell notes, emphasizing the construct of helping others, and too, that it’s a good thing to be helped.
The next award winners of the night were Ernesto Querijero and Tom Zimmerman, two professors representing the WCC Writing Center.
“It’s a little strange that Tom and I are getting the award because the writing center is so many people, it’s so many employees, its many students and student tutors, WTMC students, folks who have graduated here,” said Querijero during his speech, emphasizing both the level of cohesion about the writing center and the niche of community upheld by its subculture. The writing center at WCC is a useful resource, and one that Zimmerman urges students to take advantage of, irrelevant to our social standing.
The final award of the event was for the Girls Group organization, a community partner whose mission is to empower young women to achieve emotional and economic self-sufficiency, and to continue to foster connections in their lives be it with teachers, mentors, parents, and friends.
“As we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, we are reminded of the importance of the community, and the collective effort required to bring about meaningful change,” said Chantelle Franklin, representing Girls Group.
“The partnership between Girls Group and WCC, has been essential to supporting our college and career-minded participants through initiatives like college tours, HBCU fairs, funding support, and ongoing engagements with participants,” said Franklin.
In Closing
After several photos, the WCC jazz ensemble led by Steven Sommers resumed, and the room filled with closure, music, handshakes, and a conversation of energy.
From a more executive standpoint on equity, WCC has a written prompt for equal opportunity; code 8028 of the Policy Manual, which provides a foundation and support for adversity around the college.
“We want to make sure students have access and success in college,” said Eric Reed, Dean of Access, Success, Equity, and Inclusion, on the subject of a diverse student body. “We’re giving everyone an opportunity to advance their social mobility.”
In case you missed this event or would like some more exposure surrounding the MLK legacy and Black History Month in general, there will be an open-mic celebration by participants of the “Radiant Stars of Love” MLK writing workshop on Jan. 30 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bailey Library on campus. Join in to see others feature themselves or even feature your own themes of social justice.
Editor’s note: Inayah Amir Bey, a student who gave a speech at the celebration, is a videography contributor at the Voice.
