Coahoma Community College recently released its Black History Month event schedule. The 2022 BHM theme is “Black Health in Three Dimensions: Mind, Body, and Spirit,” corresponding with the 2022 theme developed by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

This year, the BHM committee, consisting of personnel in the Division of Academic Affairs, has concentrated on the intertwining relationship between a human's three essential parts.

Wellness in the Black community has inevitably evolved into a mandatory point of discussion as the mutating coronavirus continues to cause illnesses. Consequently, health becomes an inclusive term.

“Following the national theme, Black Health, the committee realized health has multiple dimensions,” explained committee chair Jeremy Pittman.

“Often times, people may only think physical wellness when the term is used. However, health includes mental and spiritual wellness. When we think of the Black community as a whole, the term “Black Health” could also include economic wellness as well.”

According to ASALH.org, Black Health dates back to clinics organized by the Black Panther Party and the National Association of Colored Women to grant equal access.

“We desire participants leave from the programs with an appreciation and the ability to think critically regarding the interconnectedness of the different facets of health as it relates to the Black community,” said Pittman.

Coahoma’s Black History Convocation, anticipated yearly and held in conjunction with the Art department, will be keynoted by Rolling Fork, Miss. native Ty Pinkins, a military retiree who reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CW3) while in the Army and is proud to have climaxed his tenure serving as a presidential communications aide to former president Barack Obama. Pinkins holds a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Maryland and earned a juris doctor and a Master of Laws from the Georgetown University Law Center.

To help kick off the schedule of events, Check Conversations CEO Jason Anderson of Grenada, Miss., Operation #iAM CEO Shonna Tillman, also of Grenada, and Evelyn Washington of Sunflower County will participate as panelists of an upcoming BHM panel discussion.

Events slated to celebrate rich Black heritage during February are as follows:

The Health and Wellness of the Black Community in the Mississippi Delta panel discussion | mental and spiritual wellness, economic health, physical well-being

Wednesday, February 16, 2022 @ 10 a.m.

via Zoom/Join Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83795826669

Meeting ID: 837 9582 6669

 

Black History Convocation (in-person), held in conjunction with the Art department

Thursday, February 24, 2022 @ 10 a.m. | Pinnacle

Guest Speaker Ty Pinkins

 

The Gospel Tradition: Highlighting Women in Gospel Music by the Coahoma Community College Choir

Monday, February 28, 2022 @ 1 p.m. | Whiteside Hall lecture room

 

Black History Knowledge Bowl

Monday, February 28, 2022 via Zoom

 

For more information regarding CCC’s lineup for Black History Month observance, contact Jeremy Pittman at (662) 621-4669 or japittman@coahomacc.edu.