Campus Quilt Is the Fabric of Black History Month
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Waterbury, Conn. - Each year in February, the country and the college turn a spotlight on African American culture in honor of Black History Month and this year was no exception. Beginning on February 19, the College hosted a series of important events documenting the Black experience in America.
“Celebrating black history is celebrating American history,” said Pamela Tolbert-Bynum, Ed.D, director of the Arts and Humanities Division. “It is an opportunity for students, faculty and staff to come together and celebrate love, togetherness and black culture in America.”
Each year, celebratory events are selected by and organized through the NVCC Black Student Union (BSU). The main event this year was the campus wide Heritage Quilt Project, which asked “anyone with a bit of African in their genes” to design a 10"x10" piece of fabric to be sewn into the quilt. Thirty pieces were collected altogether.
Jasmine Floyd, a sixth-semester student at the college and three-term president of theBSU, coordinated the project along with Elma Solomon, club advisor and professor of business, and Penny Austin, a staff member in the Academic Center for Excellence.
“I wanted our club to construct a quilt that would celebrate African heritage and it turned into a major campus-wide production, which I was happy to see,” said Austin, who is credited with the idea.
On Feb. 20, the quilt was unveiled to a filled Café West with a historical overview of its cultural significance by Dr. Bynum, who has published on African-American quilting.
“Quilting is a work with a specific mission,” said Dr. Bynum. “Historically, quilts memorialized and recorded that which is the substance of life: births, deaths, epiphanies and even murders."
Following Dr. Bynum’s presentation, Floyd engaged attendees in learning a traditional African dance.
“I wanted to make our stories come alive,” said Floyd.
Other events hosted by the BSU in honor of Black History Month included a panel discussion and a fashion and talent show.
“The African-American Experience in Education,” a historical overview and panel discussion
Students revisited historical milestones and connected with faculty and staff at “The African-American Experience in Education,” a presentation and panel discussion held Feb. 19.
“We want you to see the struggles and achievements of people who have come before you and be encouraged to follow your academic dreams,” said Elma Solomon to the large student crowd.
Panelists included Kathy Taylor, J.D., director of the Academic Center for Excellence; William Terry Brown, Ph.D., director of the Behavioral and Social Sciences academic division; and Robyn Jay-Bage, assistant professor of business.
L to R: William Terry Brown, Ph.D., Robyn Jay-Bage and Kathy Taylor, J.D.,
Taylor shared her experience dealing with doubtful professors and her consequent need to overachieve when she transitioned from Hampton University, a historically black college, to the University of Connecticut.
“While at Hampton, I was surrounded by my black peers and most of my professors where black as well,” said Taylor. “At UConn, the first black person I met was a secretary. I felt the need to prove myself to everyone but today, I am learning to say, ‘thank you’ when I am introduced along with my accomplishments.”
Dr. Brown talked about the struggles he faced while achieving his goals, acknowledging that racism still exists for today’s students but perhaps in more passive forms.
“There will always be a fight against the negative idea that there’s something you can’t do,” said Dr. Brown.
Students who apprehensively voiced their academic worries and concerns were received with understanding and encouragement.
“Don’t let someone make you feel that your dreams are less important than theirs. Believe in yourself and always have a vision,” urged Professor Bage.
BSU Annual Fashion and Talent Show
The Grand Finale of the Black History Month celebrations was the BSU’s annual Fashion & Talent Show, themed “Black Style throughout the Years.” Students from the BSU and other clubs united together in a festive display of colorful costumes and models flaunting hairstyles from the 70’s-pesent day.
During the talent portion of the show, people from the community enjoyed dances performed with flare and passion and songs of freedom that commemorated this special time. The atmosphere was one of remembrance and unity.
According to Solomon, each year the BSU donates profits from the event to a foundation that benefits a cause that is close to a BSU member. This year the club chose the Scleroderma Foundation.
“The club chose this foundation because it has special meaning to a member of our club,” said Solomon. “We want to take care of our members and increase community awareness of these issues.”
Past recipients include The Sickle Cell Foundation and Bravo, which donates musical instruments to schools in Waterbury.
For more information on the BSU or Black History Month celebrations at NVCC, contact Elma Solomon at 203-596-2180 or
