Linn-Benton Community College Celebrates Black History Month

Linn-Benton Community College is celebrating Black History Month with weekly talks focusing on the importance of African Americans in Government with a spotlight on Oregon. All of the talks will happen on the Albany campus in the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Center, Forum 220. You can also attend each session virtually here.

“It's important that we continually recognize the contributions that African Americans have made in this country specifically around the political arena as we think about how to move our country forward in a more inclusive diverse and equitable way,” said Dr. Ramycia McGhee, Professor of English & Literature at LBCC.

The scheduled list of events is:

Wednesday, February. 1st, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Lorette Smith 
Former Multnomah County Commissioner and recently ran for Congress this past election cycle. She will be discussing the importance of running for local political office specifically here in the state of Oregon as well as her journey into the political arena. 

Monday, February 6th, 1:00 - 2:00 pm: Briae Lewis 
Recently elected as the First Black Woman to serve on the Corvallis City Council. She will be discussing her journey, specifically her campaigning and subsequent election to the Corvallis City Council, and what that means for and to her, the city of Corvallis, and the Black community here in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Wednesday, February 15th 12:00 - 1:00 pm: Mayor's Panel featuring Alex Johnson II (Mayor of Albany) and Tim Hall (Mayor of Garibaldi)
They will be discussing their journey to becoming mayor, their top responsibilities and priorities as mayor, and their vision for their perspective cities.

Wednesday, February 22nd 2:00 - 3:00 pm: Fatuma Ali
Former Policy Director to Oregon State Senator Akasha Lawrence-Spence
She will be discussing her journey as a former policy director and some of the projects she has been able to work on, the people she's been able to work with, and her overall experience working in government on a local and federal level.