Celebrating Black History Month at Palo Alto College

Palo Alto College’s mission is to inspire and empower our diverse communities for leadership and success. With 85% of Palo Alto College students identifying themselves as part of an ethnic or racial minority group, we encourage our diverse community to draw inspiration and guidance from the past to help shape our future.

In celebration of this year’s Black History Month, Palo Alto College kicked off the celebrations on Feb. 1 with a virtual event named “Painting with a Twist — We Are In This Together.”

All month long, the Ozuna Library and Learning Center will host a traveling exhibit through Feb. 28 titled “Courage and Determination: A History of African Americans in Medicine,” an exhibit from the Texas Medical Association. The exhibit highlights contributions to medicine from ancient Egypt through the 20th century.

On Wednesday, Feb. 16, the College will host a STEM Panel, “Challenging the Status Quo in the Healthcare Industry.” Participants can expect to learn more about STEM programs and its significance within the field of healthcare.

On Thursday, Feb. 24, the College will host Grammy-nominated artist SaulPaul. Guests will get to hear his life story of transitioning from tragedy to triumph as was presented in the documentary “Tower to Tower” and his memoir “Be The Change.” Whether via art, entrepreneurship or community service, SaulPaul is committed to #BeTheChange.

All events are open to the public, and a full list can be accessed online at 0412xp.net/pac/BHM. Students who participate will earn experiential learning credit for designated events.

By recognizing the achievements and remembering the struggles faced by individuals who came before us, students at Palo Alto College and our community will gain a global perspective of our nation’s history. It is this shared understanding of our differences and diverse backgrounds that will guide us towards a brighter tomorrow.

This column by Dr. Robert Garza, president of Palo Alto College, was originally published in the San Antonio Express-News' Southside Reporter and mysanantonio.com.