PCC to Celebrate Black History Month Virtually

WINTERVILLE—Pitt Community College will celebrate Black History Month Feb. 22-24 with a series of virtual events organized by the college’s Multicultural Activities Committee (MAC).

Leading off will be the first of two hour-long presentations on noted black composers. The Feb. 22 program will begin at 1 p.m. with PCC Music Instructor RaSheeda Waddell detailing the life of Margaret Bonds, an accomplished pianist and longtime friend of poet Langston Hughes. Joining Waddell will be Michael D. Johnson Jr., vocal and orchestral coordinator for Pitt County Schools, who will talk about the accomplishments of Adolphus Hailstork, an award-winning composer now serving as Old Dominion University’s Eminent Scholar and professor emeritus of music.

A second presentation on black composers is scheduled for Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. It will feature PCC Music Department Coordinator Michael Stephenson discussing legendary jazz composer and band leader Duke Ellington. PCC Music Instructor Reginald McNeill will also participate in the event and focus his remarks on William Grant Still, a conductor and composer of nearly 200 works.

Sandwiched between the discussions will be “Black to the Future: Tracking Folk and Family Ways from Africa to the Americas” on Feb. 23. PCC English Instructor Regina Garcia, a MAC member, will lead the presentation, along with East Carolina University Ethnic Studies Coordinator/English Instructor Gera Miles. The program will run from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Pitt’s black history celebration concludes Feb. 24 with “Elevating Our Voices – Episode 1: ‘We Are Family’” at 2 p.m. The event will feature a student panel discussing student realities and needs for the benefit of their campus family.

Links for students and members of the community to join the virtual programming will be posted on PCC social media sites once they are available.

02/15/2021