The campus kicked off Black History Month with an opening ceremony that included speeches, singing, dancing, poetry and a fashion show in the Recital Hall on Feb. 4.

The opening ceremony included performances from students who are part of the Black Student Union or the Black History Month student committee. The ceremony was coordinated by Brianna James, the student support specialist for the Black Empowerment Center.

The four students on the planning committee “have different lives and different backgrounds, but they share a passion for Black culture and history and community and solidarity,” James said.

Nae Clemmons, a 27-year-old sociology major, who is the president of BSU, said she gave her speech on stage to show that unity and community matters.

“If there’s ever going to be a difference to be made, it’s going to be made together,” Clemmons said.

After the student committee gave their speeches, James came back on stage to introduce a student who sang the Black national anthem and that led into the performances.

Nasiriyah Thompson, an 18-year-old interior architecture major, who is a part of the BSU, danced on stage alongside James.
Thompson said that originally she wasn’t supposed to be dancing, but instead singing. But, she preferred to dance because she has been doing ballet since she was a kid.

Ezekiel Simpson, an 18-year-old radiology technician major, walked during a fashion show that showed students’ individual taste in fashion. This fashion show gave us a look at the variety of styles this campus has to offer. Simpson said that fashion and modeling is an interest of his.

“I love to model, I love to put on fashionable outfits, so that’s something I can see myself doing more in the future,” Simpson said.

Maggie Beuchi, a 19-year-old political science major said she came to the event in support of her peers.

“I wanted to support my community and just to see what they have been working hard to produce,” said Beuchi. “Because I really cherish this month and I always appreciate any acts that kind of showcase any talent.”

The month of February celebrates Black history and culture, so check the calendar and events category on the Cosumnes River College website for more information on upcoming events.

“African and black culture is so rich, there’s just so many things going on,” James said. “And so, just to be able to have this task of creating events on campus was already a privilege.”