ECC 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 Edgecombe Community College. 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. ECC 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 Edgecombe Community College family, local officials, and area residents gathered to celebrate Black History Month.
The theme of the event was “Taking the High Road to Unity: What Do You Do Next?”
Keynote speaker Andre Cooper, a 2015 ECC graduate and motivational speaker, encouraged the audience to “do the right thing, even when it’s not easy.”
While attending ECC 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 ECC. He also served two terms as president of the Student Government Association.
In 2015, Cooper was the College’s 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.
“Black history is America’s history,” Cooper said. “This month and every month going forward, I wish all people of color and non-color would walk together in sweet unity.
“We 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.”
A panel of local leaders offered perspectives on unity and suggestions on how to foster unity locally. The panel was moderated by ECC 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. ECC 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 College and Career Readiness, the Student Government Association, and the Student Success Center at ECC.