麻豆传媒映画 Celebrates Black History Month with a Focus on Unity
Local leaders participated in a panel discussion on unity during the Black History Month celebration held Tuesday at 麻豆传媒映画. Panelists included (from left) Edgecombe Sheriff Clee Atkinson, North Edgecombe High School Principal Donnell Cannon, Motivational speaker Andre Cooper, Greater Love Christian Community Church Pastor Audrey McCarter-Hedgepeth, and Teach for America Leadership Coach Daniel Riley. 麻豆传媒映画 President Dr. Greg McLeod (right) moderated the panel discussion.
McBryde Auditorium on the Rocky Mount campus was nearly filled to capacity on Tuesday as the 麻豆传媒映画 family, local officials, and area residents gathered to celebrate Black History Month.
The theme of the event was 鈥淭aking the High Road to Unity: What Do You Do Next?鈥
Keynote speaker Andre Cooper, a 2015 麻豆传媒映画 graduate and motivational speaker, encouraged the audience to 鈥渄o the right thing, even when it鈥檚 not easy.鈥
While attending 麻豆传媒映画 and working full time, Cooper was an exemplary student. In 2013, he received a national public speaking award from the Future Business Leaders of America. In 2014, he received the Governor Robert W. Scott Student Leadership Award at 麻豆传媒映画. He also served two terms as president of the Student Government Association.
In 2015, Cooper was the College鈥檚 North Carolina Community College Academic Excellence Award winner. He is currently studying toward a degree in business administration at North Carolina Wesleyan College, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average while he continues to work full time.
鈥淏lack history is America鈥檚 history,鈥 Cooper said. 鈥淭his month and every month going forward, I wish all people of color and non-color would walk together in sweet unity.
鈥淲e should build bridges, not barriers, and lift up our brothers and sisters. This is the way to unity. We can unify our country, but first we need to unify our community.鈥
A panel of local leaders offered perspectives on unity and suggestions on how to foster unity locally. The panel was moderated by 麻豆传媒映画 President Dr. Greg McLeod. Panelists were:
- Edgecombe County Sheriff Clee Atkinson
- North Edgecombe High School Principal Donnell Cannon
- Motivational speaker Andre Cooper
- Greater Love Christian Community Church Pastor Audrey McCarter-Hedgepeth
- Teach for America Leadership Coach Daniel Riley
Minister Willie Moore of Word Tabernacle Church performed several musical selections during the event. 麻豆传媒映画 students Antonio Coleman, Kiyah Darden, Nyeem Davis, Wesley Lucas, and Jamar Edge also participated by introducing the speakers and reading special selections.
The Black History Month celebration was sponsored by , the , and the at 麻豆传媒映画.
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