Roxbury Community College (RCC) continued celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a two-day Academic Symposium in early November called “Learning, Innovating, Responding: The Power of Education in Building Thriving Communities.” The event provided attendees with an opportunity to listen, learn and reflect on the invaluable role of community colleges and their surrounding communities.

While speakers covered topics ranging from affirmative action, citizenship, restorative justice, wealth generation and more, themes of resiliency, perseverance, excellence and perhaps most importantly, grace, were central to all panel discussions.

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, co-founder of the Emancipator and nationally recognized scholar on anti-racism, and Dr. Makeeba McCreary opened the symposium with a keynote discussion on the role of narratives in challenging systemic racism, promoting inclusivity, and shaping a more equitable society.

The final event to be held to mark Roxbury Community College’s 50th anniversary will be the Golden Jubilee Gala February 24. One of the highlights will be the unveiling of a commissioned art installation by renowned local artists Napoleon Jones-Henderson and Stephen Hamilton to acknowledge the crucial ongoing support that the community has offered over the past half century.