PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (July 16, 2020) – In the wake of dual pandemics, COVID-19 and outcries against systemic racism in the U.S., Prairie View A&M University’s Minority Achievement, Creativity, and High-Ability Center (MACH-III) will host a virtual town hall forum later today to address these issues and their effect on Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs).
Photo of Rev. Al Sharpton, courtesy of National Action Network (NAN).
The Fire This Time features American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, talk show host, and politician, Reverend Al Sharpton. Panelists for the forum, which is a part of the MACH-III Center’s Masterclass Series, comprises faculty and administrators from various HBCUs, including Drs. Fred A. Bonner II, executive director of the MACH-III Center, and Pamela Obiomon, dean of PVAMU’s Roy G. Perry College of Engineering.
“HBCUs have always faced discrimination,” said Obiomon. “Now that we are faced with the COVID-19 as well, we can clearly see the adverse impact. This forum allows us to share our unique experiences.”
“The goal is to foreground what key agents, internal and external, HBCUs are doing in response to the dual pandemics (COVID-19 and Systemic Racism),” said Bonner. “This is important because it provides a voice for those who see firsthand what is happening at HBCUs and the impact these dual pandemics are exacting. The narrative shared by Rev. Sharpton will be the entryway into this conversation that will be discussed by the collection of panelists.”
Sharpton currently leads the National Action Network (NAN), a not-for-profit, civil rights organization founded in 1991. According to its website, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda. With chapters throughout the U.S., members continuously fight for criminal justice reform, police accountability, crisis intake and victim assistance, voting rights, corporate responsibility and pension diversity, youth leadership, and bridging the digital divide.
“This forum was created to shine a light on HBCUs from multiple perspectives during this pandemics era,” said Bonner. “It’s critically important to hear more from these individuals who are authentic to the HBCU experience. HBCUs are vital towards creating a more diverse, healthy, and successful society.”
The forum will be held on the MACH-III Center’s Facebook page from 6-7:30 p.m. It is free and open to the public. Click here to sign up.
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By Marchita Shilo