Chelsea Campus Celebrates Black History Month

Friday, February 21, 2014

The keynote address of Bunker Hill Community College’s February 20, 2014, Chelsea Campus Black History Month celebration, began with actress Kathryn Woods as Sojourner Truth, marching into the performance space heartily shaking audience members’ hands while singing “Amazing Grace.” Through dress, song and stories, Woods embodied the spirit of the former slave turned abolitionist.

The interactive performance joined Sojourner Truth toward the end of her life. Through a back-and-forth conversation with the audience, she recalled her early days as a slave, detailed her relationship with God, and shared poignant stories of her work for freedom.

The Black History Month celebration also included presentations by members of the Chelsea campus community that highlighted inspirational African Americans. Pharmacy technician certificate program student Eric McCurry recounted Judge Thurgood Marshall’s Supreme Court argument “Separate But Not Equal.” Francelle Gregoire, also from the pharmacy technician program, read from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.  And Science and Engineering Adjunct Professor Mark Beaumont, M.D, paid tribute to the remarkable accomplishments of the 19^th century inventor, draftsman, poet and Chelsea native, Lewis Latimer.