Diversity drives Hostos Community College, and that spirit was in the air on February 27 when Congressman José E. Serrano and State Senator José M. Serrano celebrated Black History Month at the College with more than a dozen elected officials and community members.
The annual event took on a special theme as it honored the legacy of President Barack H. Obama, as well as local honorees who are going above and beyond in their communities, including NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, CEO of Renaissance Youth Center, Bervin Harris, and Bronx Community Activist Naimah Bilal.
Hostos President David Gómez welcomed all in attendance and shared a timely quote from President Obama’s final State of the Union Address from January 12: “Inspired by those voices of fairness and vision, of grit and good humor and kindness that have helped America travel so far. Voices that help us see ourselves not first and foremost as black or white or Asian or Latino, not as gay or straight, immigrant or native born; not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Americans first, bound by a common creed. Voices Dr. King believed would have the final word – voices of unarmed truth and unconditional love.”
The attendees enjoyed breakfast, performances, and readings that all highlighted the importance of Black History Month. The attendees included: NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr., State Senator Jeffrey D. Klein, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assembly Member Carmen Arroyo, Assembly Member Michael Blake, Assembly Member Mark Gjonaj, Assembly Member Latoya Joyner, Assembly Member Victor M. Pichardo, Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr., Council Member Fernando Cabrera, Council Member Vanessa Gibson, Council Member Annabel Palma, Council Member Rafael Salamanca, Council Member Ritchie Torres.
About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for nearly half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.
Hostos offers 28 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.