Celebrating Black History Month with the Pan African Alliance
The newly elected leadership team of the Pan African Alliance held the first event of its kind on campus, connecting Black students and faculty to each other, providing mentorship, inspiration and support.
The Orientation Hall in the Student Services Center on the main Santa Monica College (SMC) campus fills with people on Friday, February 24. The low buzz of voices explodes periodically into laughter and exclamations as introductions are made and embraces are exchanged. There is an excitement in the air reflected in the title of the event, the first of its kind here on campus, “The Pan African Alliance’s 2023 Black History Celebration”.
Dr. Jermaine Junius, newly elected president of the Pan African Alliance, explains how important it is to recognize and honor the achievements of Black students on campus and bring them together with Black leadership.
“We felt that it was really important as we begin our leadership here to bring together faculty, staff and administrators with… our Black students here on campus, to encourage and support them… helping them persist towards their education goals and graduation,” said Junius.
Kristen Ross, Vice President of the Pan African Alliance and math professor, emphasized that the event is about being part of a community. "To bring it back in person, that’s a really big thing."
The Pan African Alliance is a place where students can be mentored by Black faculty and staff. Secretary and treasurer Jocelyn Wynn adds that it’s important for Black students to be “able to physically see that there are other people who are Black who they can emulate their lives after and be inspired by. So this is just part of causing this idea of mentorship, bringing community together… the Black community here at SMC saying, we exist, we love each other, we care for each other, and that we’re here for educational and academic excellence.”
SMC student Lorrancia Lusiba was one of the award recipients at the event. After accepting the 2023 Deyna Hearn Student Award of Excellence, she reflected on what this particular community means for her. “I’m just really grateful for the support that I get from Black Collegians... It truly sets up the students that are a part of it for success, like everyone that was previously a part of it always comes back... and goes on to do amazing things.”
Looking forward, Dr. Junius mentions that this is going to be one of many events to come.
"We are going to be doing other events throughout the year to support our students and our members, and we have some great things planned," he said.