African American History Month Leadership Awards
Leadership Awards Presented at MCC In Honor of African American History Month Opening Ceremony
Manchester, Connecticut-( February 8, 2012)…Four leadership awards were presented at the opening ceremony for African American History month at Manchester Community College. The awards are named in honor of prominent African Americans who made significant leadership contributions to history.
The High School Leadership Award is given in honor of Ruby Bridges. On the morning of November 14, 1960, federal marshals were called in to escort Ruby to her elementary school in New Orleans representing the beginning of the end of segregation in the school district. The recipient of this award is Ebony Campbell, a student at Great Path Academy and a resident of Bloomfield. Ebony, an 11th grade student, is taking college classes, plays sports and mentors younger students.
The MCC College Student Leadership Award is given in honor of Jibreel Khazan, formerly known as Ezell Blair, Jr. On February 1, 1960, four college students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University sat down at a segregated lunch counter at Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina, challenging the store’s policy on segregation. The award recipient is Toni Coble, an MCC student majoring in the Sports and Exercise program. She is a resident of Manchester and President of the Black Student Union and active in the Sister- to- Sister mentoring program.
The Community Leadership Awards are given in honor of Shirley Chishom, who was the first black woman elected to Congress. She served in Congress from 1969 to 1983 and in 1972 became the first major-party black candidate for President of the United States. The award recipients are Dotti Cannon, Owner of Brown Sugar Caterin,g and Jennifer Jackson, Coordinator of Youth Services, Town of Manchester.
Dotti Cannon is recognized for being a leader in the Manchester community. She is a small business owner, and active in many organizations including Lutz Museum, Police Activity League, MARC, My Sisters Place and the Manchester Chamber of Commerce.
Jennifer Jackson is the Youth Service Coordinator for the Town of Manchester. She has been with the Manchester Youth Service Bureau since 2002. She designs, coordinates and facilitates positive youth development programs for youth.
Students of any age who possess the desire to pursue higher education are welcome at Manchester Community College. MCC is proud of its academic excellence, new facilities, flexible schedules, small classes, low tuition and faculty with both academic and ”real world” credentials. The College offers over 60 programs, transfer options, financial aid and scholarships, as well as access to baccalaureate degrees.
