SPOTLIGHT ON BLACK HISTORY

Recognizing Past, Present, and Future Black History makers at CVCC

Catawba Valley Community College’s Black History Celebration is special, but it’s nothing new: the college has held this outstanding celebration for 20 years. To emphasize the importance of diversity across time and space, this year focused on six individuals from three different time periods: Past, Present, and Future.

The first recipient, Mr. Sam Hunt, took audiences back in time to the late 1960’s, when he started at Catawba Valley Technical Institute (CVTI). As one of the first African-American students at CVTI (now CVCC), he witnessed many historical moments in the college and in the community. Hunt’s leadership began one regular afternoon, when he sat down at a chair in the cafeteria. Typically, students took the surrounding chairs from his table, and left him alone by himself – but Hunt did not prefer this. One day, though, things changed, and Hunt found himself on the journey to college leadership. A group of students approached him, sat with him, and asked if he would be interested in becoming one of the first members of the CVTI Student Body Board.

“The students felt that there should be a black representative on the board,” Hunt says, “and because of my boldness might fit in...I told them that would talk it over with my wife, family members, and church friends.” After serious thought and consideration, Hunt joined the Student Body Board. He was elected as one of the seniors and appointed as the First Vice-President of the college’s student body. “The Vice-President was black, and the President was female,” Hunt says, noting that this student leadership was very progressive for the time.

Another valued leader, Dr. Iris Barrett, was recognized at the ceremony for her service on the CVCC Board of Trustees and continued service to the community. As the first African-American member of the Trustee Board, Dr. Barrett provided meaningful insight to the direction of the college. While the Board appreciated her expertise and wisdom, Dr. Barrett credits the growth of her organization, The Word Is My Life Training Ministry, to the connections and experiences she received through the Board. “I learned so much by sitting around the table with leaders in this area who were growing businesses and institutions, and learned more than I realized,” she says. “When the Lord guided me out of the business realm into ministry, I was connected to leaders at CVCC and throughout the city. I gleaned more than realized.”

The ceremony also focused on celebrating Black history makers whose present leadership holds an overwhelming influence on the lives of our students and faculty. Visitors listened to the story of each recipient, learned about the college’s efforts toward equality, and listened to current student, Dior Scott, give an outstanding performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

“I am so pleased to see the diversity of our student body. I have seen that progression over the years. I would want every student that walks on our campus, every person that walks on our campus, to know that they are valued, that we need them, that we need their voice...that’s what I hope we’re continuing to work on, that welcoming environment, so students feel like they are a part of the CVCC family.”

Another award recipient, Carolyn Brandon, came to CVCC as a single mother of three children who was eager to earn a degree toward a lasting career. After landing a position in CVCC’s Financial Aid department as a student, Brandon took advantage of every opportunity to advance her skills. She worked hard, graduated from CVCC, and became the first person in her family to earn a Bachelor’s degree. Over 18 years later, she remains working at CVCC and has been the college’s Financial Aid Director for at least four years. Brandon is humbled to receive this year’s award. She hopes to continue celebrations such as this in the future. “To me, this award is a great honor,” she says. “It wasn’t something that I was expecting, but it’s very exciting.”

“Getting more students of color to come to CVCC is one thing, but we want to get them to graduate and to earn a degree that makes

DIVERSITY & ENGAGEMENT

them proud of themselves.” Catawba Valley Community College strives for student success, because students are our future. This year, 2023 graduates Latasia Gross and Jerron Turner-Clark were recognized as student recipients of the Black History Award.

Gross came to CVCC in 2021, after serving in the U.S Military near Washington, D.C. She’s a straight-A student set to pursue a Law degree after graduating from CVCC. She believes the college does value diversity, and once she recognized an appreciation and acceptance of all students, she felt a drive to get involved with student life.

“Receiving this award is absolutely an honor and something that was not expecting,” says Gross. “The fact that we have this (award) to honor people from the past, present, and future just shows the growth that the school is headed to, and I feel like, if this continues, it can just get bigger and bigger and from then on, it’s more than just the school – it’s the community.”

Jerron is graduating with a degree in Computer-Integrated Machining and hopes to open his own business. But this ambition and confidence took work—he was hesitant to put himself out there in the first year of college. In his second year, Mr. Carson asked if he wanted to be President of Minority Males on the Move (M3), and although the prospect made him anxious, Turner-Clark agreed. It was one of the best decisions he could make during his time at CVCC. “You can’t be the leader of a group being shy and timid,” says Turner-Clark. “I had to put myself out there. Doing that, I introduced myself to a lot of people who, now, are my best friends. I’ve been able to help people figure out what they want to do.”

“You never really know the impact you can make on other people, so you do the best you do and hope you’ve done enough.” With a humble spirit and positive attitude, Turner-Clark is bound to make an impact beyond the CVCC student body.

The Office of Student Equity and Engagement is proud to honor these six individuals with the 2023 Black History Award, and looks forward to continuing similar celebrations in the future.