By Jamil Oakford/editor-in-chief

Students and faculty will come together for the annual African-American Heritage: Celebrating Strides event Feb. 24. 

This year’s celebration will be on NW Campus, and planning committee chair and SE economics professor Robert McKizzie said he couldn’t be more excited.

“NW is going to blow this away,” he said. “It’s a celebration of African-American culture and how it touches other races and cultures throughout the world.”

Celebrating Strides began four years ago at the request of former Chancellor Erma Johnson Hadley, who asked McKizzie if he could help lead a group to plan a unifying celebration to conclude Black History Month. He said this year’s event will feature former New York Giants linebacker Keith Davis.

“He’s a motivational speaker now, and he’s got a great message that I think students can connect to it,” McKizzie said.

The event is open to the public, and attendees will be treated to performances from three different dance groups and a choral group.

“Beth Eden Baptist Church will sing for the event,” McKizzie said. “They’ll be performing John Legend’s ‘Glory.’”

Others will speak on various subjects like perseverance and self-motivation. Speakers include SE alumnus Janekka Colbert, who went on to earn a bachelor’s and a master’s from Texas Christian University after her time at TCC. Soul food, a traditional Southern black cuisine, will be served at the celebration. Free T-shirts will also be available to attendees.

McKizzie said registering through Volunteer Hub is best for students and faculty who wish to attend.

The event starts at 4 p.m. and goes until 8 p.m. in WSTU 1303-1305 on NW. For more information, contact McKizzie at 817-515-3583.