Swami Hinojosa
Editor-in-Chief
As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor the past and take a moment to reflect on the present and look ahead to the future. This occasion profoundly impacts students, offering them support, awareness, and opportunities for growth, and helps us remember the reason behind our celebration and how Broward College inspires us.
Historian Carter G. Woodson proposed Black History Month in the 1920s to celebrate African American history and accomplishments. February was chosen because it coincides with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two crucial figures in the fight against slavery.
Over the years, February has become a time to recognize the significant contributions of the African American community to history, culture, and social progress. Black History Month profoundly impacts students by providing a platform for reflection, education, and celebration.
For many students, this celebration is more than just learning about historical facts; it is a chance to appreciate the complexity and diversity of the African American experience in American society. Recognizing past struggles and inspiring achievements fosters mutual respect and helps build more inclusive communities.
During Black History Month, people become more aware of the challenges and inequalities the African American community still faces. This recognition fosters greater student solidarity and support, laying the groundwork for advocating for equality and social justice on campus and beyond.
Celebrating Black History Month presents numerous opportunities for personal and academic growth. Students can attend various events, lectures, and educational programs that deepen their knowledge of African American history and culture. Participating in these activities also helps them develop skills such as leadership, critical thinking, and empathy, which are essential for success in both academic and personal life.
Today, Black History Month continues to be relevant and necessary. Despite the progress made in promoting equality, racial discrimination still exists in various forms. Celebrating African American history serves as a reminder that the struggle for equity and justice is ongoing and encourages students to become agents of change.
The Student Government at Broward College Central Campus encourages student participation in Black History Month by hosting an essay competition. Participants are required to write a 500-word essay reflecting on how African American leaders have influenced their lives.
The prompt asks students to explain how the successes and achievements of African American leaders throughout history have paved the way for their own success and upward mobility, identify their role models from Black history, and explain why they look up to them. The competition recognizes African Americans’ contributions and offers practical opportunities in the form of microgrants for winning essays.
The essay contest aims to acknowledge and celebrate the impact of African American leaders. It also offers an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their writing skills and share their unique perspectives and experiences with the broader community. Winning the competition means receiving a micro scholarship and gaining recognition and appreciation from your peers.
The Student Government is excited and fully prepared to read and analyze all the essays submitted and encourages all students to participate and take advantage of this incredible opportunity. “The Central Campus Student Government conceived the Black History Month Essay Contest because it believes this essay contest will be a powerful platform to highlight the importance of celebrating Black history within our community. Student Government is inviting, encouraging, and challenging the student body to participate and share their experiences and feelings of Black History Month through thoughtful essays. Top recognition of the essay that is impressively stirring, inspiring and insightful is a scholarship opportunity awarded through the Student Government Association,” said Joe Tinsley, Interim Student Life Director and Student Government Advisor.
The invitation is open to all Broward College students at the Central Campus to participate. Check out the bccentral.sg Instagram page.
In addition to this essay contest, there will be several more events celebrating Black History Month on all three campuses. To view BrowardCollege’s calendar of events, visit https://calendar.broward.edu/index.html
