Friday, February 7, 2025

Muskegon Community College (MCC) invites the surrounding Lakeshore community to celebrate Black History Month throughout February 2025 with a series of free events. This annual observance is an opportunity to honor the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans, and recognize the profound impact persons of color have had on Muskegon County.

Fact and Fiction: Media Consumption and History in America
What: Muskegon Community College Lecture Series presents a screening and discussion of Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project.
When: Thursday, February 13, 2025             Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Overbrook Theatre, 221 S. Quarterline Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442
Details: Uncover the extraordinary story of Marion Stokes—a radical activist turned archivist who preserved 30 years of American television. This compelling film delves into her relentless pursuit of truth, the impact on her family, and her enduring legacy in media preservation. A discussion with media experts Jon Covington, Sid Simone, and Dave Alexander will follow.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Louis Moore
When: Tuesday, February 18, 2025                  Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Gerber Lounge, Muskegon Community College, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon
Details: Author and Professor, Dr. Louis Moore will speak on his recent book, The Great Black Hope, The Making of the Black Quarterback. The book is the story of two pioneering black NFL football players who changed the face of America’s game for generations to come. There is no position in pro sports more important than an NFL quarterback. But quarterbacking was the exclusive domain of white players for many years. When Doug Williams and Vince Evans arrived in the league in the late 1970s, they got death threats, faced racist questions, and knew that a single mistake could end their careers. The Great Black Hope tells the twin stories of Vince Evans, an electrifying dual-threat quarterback ahead of his time, and of Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to become a champion. Moore shows how easily Williams’ triumphant story could have gone wrong and how his success changed the game and the country. A skillful blend of game-time drama and social commentary, this book captures unheralded heroes of the NFL and all that they meant, both on the field and off.  

Dr. Moore is a Professor of History at Grand Valley State University. The co-host of the Black Athlete Podcast, he is the author of three books and has two audible lectures for The Great Courses; African American Athletes Who Made History and A Pastime of Their Own: The Story of Negro League Baseball. He has also written for various news outlets and has appeared on NPR, MSNBC, and CNN. Food provided.

Honoring Black History Month Ceremony
When: Wednesday, February 19, 2025         Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Bartels-Rode Gymnasium, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442
Details: Recognizing local community leaders during the men’s and women’s basketball games vs. Mid-Michigan College. Honoring black history month with the singing of the black national anthem, color guard presentation featuring Black Veterans, and honoring community leaders, Coach Keith Guy of Muskegon High School and Coach Bernard Loudermill.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Jakia Marie
When: Thursday, February 20, 2025           Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Overbrook Theatre, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442
Details: Dr. Marie will present a historical presentation and timeline of African Americans in Muskegon. Gemini the Poet – will recite a poem, while African American-themed dancers will be performing. Dr. Jakia Marie is assistant professor of Integrative Studies and program coordinator of Africana Studies at Grand Valley State University. She graduated from Muskegon High School in 2009 and went on to GVSU where she earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with an emphasis in religion and nonprofit leadership and a Master of Education in college student affairs leadership. She earned an M.A. in Anthropology, and a Ph.D., in Pan-African Studies from the University of Louisville and has taught at the University of Tennessee and Bellarmine University. Food provided.

2025 African American Read-In
When: Thursday, February 27, 2025                Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Where: Stevenson Center, Room 1300, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon, MI 49442
Details: MCC joins schools, colleges, libraries, and churches across the country in reading aloud from African American literature. Community members are encouraged to sign up and share a one- to three-minute excerpt or simply listen and enjoy. Refreshments provided.
Contact: Dylan Hock, Academic Support / English Department, dylan.hock@muskegoncc.edu

“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history,” said Ken James, Chief Diversity Officer at MCC. “At Muskegon Community College, we remain committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse community by remembering the systemic challenges faced by Black Americans and celebrating the rich cultural contributions they have made to our society.”

Founded by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926, Black History Month began as a weeklong celebration to honor Black achievements and preserve cultural heritage. February was chosen to align with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, it became a federally recognized month-long observance, growing into a nationwide effort to highlight the essential role Black Americans have played in shaping the nation’s history, culture, and progress.

Muskegon Community College is dedicated to providing high-quality education and fostering an inclusive environment for students and the broader community. Through events such as Black History Month, MCC continues to celebrate diversity, honor cultural heritage, and engage in meaningful conversations that contribute to a more informed and united society.