SBVC Celebrates Black History Month with Virtual Series of Guest Speakers
San Bernardino Valley College commemorated Black History with a series of inspirational guest speakers to speak to the campus and students. Kim Gardner, Circuit Attorney to the City of St. Louis, virtually discussed her work in social justice, its cultural importance to equity work across the nation, and the implications it holds for social justice advocates in an increasingly polarized society. Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka, clinical psychologist and hairstylist, joined campus virtually to explore the concepts of PSYCHOHAIRAPY and organization where she is the founder and CEO. Her organization uses hair as an entry point for mental health services in beauty salons and barbershops, as well as through social media to connect her community to the mental health services they deserve and desire, as well as hairs “deep rooted” connections to black identity. Campus also hosted a discussion with author and medical ethicist, Harriet Washington. She was able to virtually discuss with students the implications on black and brown communities’ resistance to receiving the current COVID-19 vaccines currently being developed and distributed. The month’s events were presented by the SBVC Arts, Lectures & Diversity Committee, in partnership with the SBCCD Black Faculty and Staff Association.
