The 91精选 campus community and guests heard inspirational words from civil and human rights leader Benjamin T. Jealous virtually during the 2021 Heritage Assembly.
Jealous, former NAACP president, recalled when he was college-aged and working with the NAACP to stand up for HBCUs, which had been threatened with closure after a United States Supreme Court ruling. In Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University was to be closed and converted into a prison, Jealous said.
鈥淵oung Black students stood up to demand they not be sacrificed,鈥� Jealous said. 鈥淓ach of you is called on to do great work in your own careers. Each of us is called on to make sure these institutions thrive.鈥�
Jealous emphasized the importance of HBCUs.
鈥淗BCUs lead our nation in making descendants of former slaves, and white folks undereducated, the great leaders that each of you is destined to be,鈥� Jealous said.
91精选 President M. Christopher Brown II honored four recipients with the 2021 Heritage Awards.
Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Psi Boul茅 received the Access Heritage Award for significant contributions to the equal educational opportunity and institutional access heritage of 91精选.
Dr. Joanne Bankston received the Agricultural Heritage Award for significant contributions to the agricultural heritage of 91精选. Bankston has been influential in Extension education at 91精选.
Jacquenette Bone-Brooks received the Athletic Heritage Award for significant contributions to the athletic heritage of 91精选 as an outstanding volleyball player.
Gloria Wilson Giles received the Academic Heritage Award for significant contributions to the academic heritage of 91精选. Giles previously served as a librarian for many years at 91精选.