CEO Insights: Black History Month at Penn State
As the leader of the world’s largest Alumni Association of its kind, I took a few moments recently to reflect on February’s celebration of Black History Month at Penn State. At your Alumni Association, we strive to foster a diverse and inclusive membership to create a strong and welcoming alumni community representative of the Penn Staters it serves.
Noble words that require us to broaden our perspectives, develop a deeper appreciation of our differences, and acquire a keener understanding of how coming together makes us all stronger. I am by no means an expert on the Black experience at Penn State… all the more reason for me to embrace this part of the Penn State alumni story. One thing I know for certain is that Black history at Penn State is an important part of Penn State’s history.
In that spirit, I hope you will join me in celebrating Black History Month. This is an opportunity for all Penn Staters to recognize the contributions of African Americans to the University, and to society as a whole.
Understanding how the University we love has taken great strides to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its history, but also has at times fallen short will help us all understand the various ways that Penn Staters experience Penn State. I was tempted to write about individuals and key moments but that felt like I was talking about something that has ended or is finished. In addition, others have done a much better job than I could at chronicling the past. To that end, I encourage you to explore the?African American Chronicles: Black History at Penn State?web site. This celebration is more than acknowledging achievements. It is more than looking back. It is more than moments in our past. Celebrating history should inform how we pursue today and dream about tomorrow.
Appreciating our history helps us all acknowledge where we have been, recognize how far we have come, and seek ways to get where we need to be. By celebrating Black History Month in February, and supporting diversity and inclusion every day of the year, alumni demonstrate our support for all students and show that we care about creating a more positive and supportive environment.
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Here are some additional online resources where you can learn more:
And be sure to check out some of the many?Black History Month activities taking place throughout the Penn State system.?
Your Alumni Association is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and creating an environment where all feel like they belong. It’s who WE ARE! To learn about our commitment, check out our?strategic plan.
For the Glory,