Cosumnes River College kicked off its Black History Month celebration in the Recital Hall in front of a crowd of more than 100 people on Feb. 1.The crowd also sang along to “Lift Every Voice” by James Weldon Johnson and listened to a speech by CRC President Dr. Debbie Travis.“I am very pleased to be able to have this celebration of the diversity of our campus,” Travis said. “We have come along way and we are proud to be able to hold an event like this.”

Liberal studies major Camico McKnight recited the poem “Phenomenal Women,” as the crowd cheered her on.

This year’s Black History Month’s theme celebrates Black women in American history and culture.

A panel of three women spoke: Dr. Glenda Goodwin, Diane Marshall-Freeman, J.D. and Senior Vice President in APCO Worldwide’s Sacramento office Cassandra Walker Pye.

The women touched on many topics such as their careers, accomplishments and offered a little advice to the audience.

“We are so proud to see so many of you here,” Goodwin said. “It is important for you to attend events like these, because you can learn so much and grow as an individual.”

The women also stressed the importance of education and ended the opening ceremony with some final words.

“Don’t let anyone tell you where you’re going to go and what you are going to be,” Marshall-Freeman said. “You will run into obstacles, but with your education you can overcome.”