Category: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

SC4 event to explore Toni Morrison’s short story ‘Recitatif’

St. Clair County Community College’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a guided book discussion highlighting “Recitatif,” a New York Times best-seller by Toni Morrison, on Friday, March 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

“Recitatif” is the powerful story of two young girls, Twyla and Roberta, who are roommates at St. Bonny’s Orphanage. Morrison keeps Twyla’s and Roberta’s races ambiguous throughout the story and weaves themes of friendship, race, childhood, memory and trauma throughout the story.

Dr. Leah Howell, director of Learning Design at Everspring, Inc., and Dr. Portia Watkins, Michigan State University director of Transitions and Transfer Student Success and a trainer of the Kingian Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation program, will serve as facilitators for the event.

The event will explore the key themes and symbols found throughout “Recitatif” within the context of the American education and foster care systems, examine the impact of the narrative decisions made by Morrison on the reader’s experience of the story, and reflect on the power of friendship. Attendees will be invited to reflect on their own assumptions and personal experience of relationships over time, the impact of our environment on how we learn to navigate relationships, and the role of human connection and belonging in our lives.

Book are available by contacting SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at (810) 989-5564 or visiting the DEI office during normal business hours in SC4’s Welcome Center.

To register for this free event, visit sc4.edu/event/book-discussion-recitatif-by-toni-morrison/ or send an email to dei@sc4.edu.

Black History Month Read-in event planned Feb. 4

The SC4 Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion will host a Read-in event featuring Detroit-raised artist and guest author Solomon Johnson to honor Black History Month on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 10:30 a.m. to noon in the SC4 Fine Arts Theatre. This event is open to the public and K-12 students, SC4 students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members are invited to attend.

The National African American Read-in was created in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English to make literacy a significant part of Black History Month by bringing together community members to listen to the reading of poems, stories and book excerpts by Black authors.

“Black History Month is a celebration of achievements and contributions to human development. And the fact that Black history is part of American history is essential for all Americans to know, learn about and understand,” said Jessica Brown, Vice President of SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Student Recruitment, Advising & Admissions. “The Read-in event reflects groundbreaking efforts to encourage communities to read together, centering on African American books and authors and celebrating the beautiful legacy together.”

The mission of SC4’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is to advance the college’s efforts in providing educational access and support for all. The office hosts national speakers, podcasts, guided book discussions, events and programs to make SC4’s campus an inclusive environment for students, faculty, staff and the community.

Attendees are asked to register in advance for the free Read-in event by filling out the event registration form or by sending an email to dei@sc4.edu. To read more about SC4’s DEI Office, visit sc4.edu/dei.

SC4 to host Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Jan. 16

The St. Clair County Community College Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the SC4 Global Diversity Advisory Council will present the 21st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in the SC4’s Fine Arts Theatre.

The theme of this year’s event is “Daring to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a New Generation.”

The event, which also will be live-streamed at sc4.edu/dei-live, will feature a celebration of Dr. King’s legacy with a diverse variety of speakers, musicians and other performances.

Register for the event online or send an email for more information to dei@sc4.edu.

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 announces Dec. 10 public mission date

>>> Register here

Challenger Learning Center at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will launch visitors to the moon with Mission: Lunar Quest at 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10. The mission date is open to the public and limited to the first 34 registrants. Seats on the mission are $25 per person and those ages 10-99+ are welcome!

Challenger Learning Center at SC4 is the only Center of its kind in Michigan and one of 40 Challenger Learning Centers nationwide and around the world. It is a fully immersive, space-themed experience aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of STEM careers and topics and building critical 21st-century skills. It offers unique learning and team-building opportunities for students, educators, corporations and community residents.

“We’re so pleased to announce this open mission date,” said Kristin Copenhaver, vice president of communication and special projects. “If you haven’t yet checked out the Challenger Learning Center, this is an incredible opportunity to do so. Come and join the crew for this mission as individuals or with your families, friends or teammates. See what the excitement is all about!”

Mission participants will launch to the moon in search of a long-term human habitat, command and assist in Mission Control, or board the Spacecraft as an astronaut, serving on teams like biology, geology, weather, robotics, life support and more. They will help deploy a Lunar Exploration Rover to investigate areas of the lunar surface and make critical decisions to turn a potential catastrophe into NASA’s finest hour.

Challenger Center was founded in 1986 in the aftermath of the Challenger shuttle tragedy. The families of the crew came together and created Challenger Center to carry on the spirit of their loved ones and continue the Challenger crew’s educational mission. Challenger Center, with its network of Challenger Learning Centers and digital programs, has reached more than 5.5 million students and learners worldwide.

Register for the Dec. 10 mission at stclair.nbsstore.net/open-lunar-quest-mission-december-10. Mission: Lunar Quest is open to learners in 5th grade and beyond. Support may be available. Contact us with inquiries and questions at experiencecenter@sc4.edu or (810) 989-5789.

To schedule a full group mission at another time, visit challenger.sc4.edu/schedule-a-visit/.