In the spirit of this year’s inclusive theme, Montgomery County Community College has expanded its annual Presidential Symposium on Diversity to a three-day extravaganza of activities – including a keynote presentation, book chat and workshops – to involve and inspire as many people as possible.

“My hope for all attendees is that they will become involved and feel empowered, lifted and engaged,” said Dr. Stephanie Allen, MCCC Director of Equity, Diversity and Belonging, who is leading the event. “I would love for the participants to leave our campuses and have a discussion within themselves about ‘what can I do.’”

The annual Presidential Symposium is a capstone event that advances and facilitates ongoing public dialogue on diversity and inclusiveness among students, employees and the community. The events are free and open to the community. For the full schedule and to register, visit the Symposium web page.

The Symposium kicks off with a keynote presentation, “Inspire Beyond Inclusion” by award-winning author, activist and educator, Dr. Lorene Cary, on Monday, Feb. 20, at 1 p.m. in the Health Sciences Center Gymnasium on MCCC’s Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike. Following the presentation, Cary will be signing her memoir, Black Ice, in the atrium, and free books will be available on a first come, first-serve basis.

Cary grew up in a working-class neighborhood of Philadelphia, and in 1972 when she was teenager, she had the opportunity to attend an elite boarding school in New Hampshire on a scholarship. Miles away from home and family, she learned how to navigate and succeed on her own terms. Later in her life, Cary wrote about her experience in Black Ice, which quickly made the best-seller lists.

Since the publication of Black Ice in 1992, Cary has authored several books, including The Price of a Child (1996), Pride (1999), If Sons, Then Heirs (2012) and Ladysitting (2019). She also wrote the play,  My General Tubman, performed  at Arden Theatre in 2020 and has other productions in progress. Cary currently teaches Creative Writing at the University of Pennsylvania and directs #VoteThatJawn to bring Philly youth to the polls.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. the Symposium continues with a Black Ice book chat and Q&A with Cary in the North Hall 202 Gallery of MCCC’s Pottstown Campus. Free parking is available at the South Hall building parking lot at 101 College Drive. Books will be available on a first come, first-serve basis, and light refreshments will be served.

In addition to the book chat on Feb. 21, online workshops will be presented by MCCC’s faculty and administrators. The sessions include “Rapid Rapport Building: Enhancing Clinician Communication Skills to Decrease Health Disparities in the LGBTQA+ Community” by Director of Physical Therapist Assistant Program Dr. Isabelle Porter, “Montco Libraries Revisit Elizabeth F. Fideler’s ‘Still at Work’ Series” by Reference Librarian Associate Professor Kevin Strunk, and “Healing, Forgiveness & Discrimination” by Criminal Justice Assistant Professor Jayden Sampson, JD.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, MCCC will host several free online workshops. The day starts with “Teaching Honestly: Historically Responsive Literacy” by English Professor Dr. Monica D’Antonio followed by “The Overlooked Costs of Upward Mobility” by Spanish Associate Professor Luz Gamauf; “Disabilities in Higher Education” by Student Success Coach Aliyah Novelli, MSW, LSW; and “Working Towards Justice: Volunteering & Belonging” by Experiential Learning Coordinator Sean Hutchison.

Throughout the week, MCCC will be collecting non-perishable donations for its Stock Up for Success Food Pantries, which are located at both campuses. The pantries provide free food and other items for students, helping them to combat food insecurity.

In the event of inclement weather, the Presidential Symposium activities will be held virtually, and the online links will be available on the website.