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NEW LONDON, Conn. (Feb. 8, 2024)—Mitchell College invites the community to attend “Letting OUR Voices Be Heard,” a celebration of Black heritage and culture, Sunday, February 25, 1–5 p.m. in the Clarke Center at Mitchell College, 437 Pequot Ave., New London. (Snow date is Sunday, March 3.) Event admission is free, but registration is recommended. Register at: https://mitchell.edu/2024/02/01/blackvoices/ The Black History Month event will feature dozens of Black performers and Black-owned businesses, including dancers, vocalists, instrumentalists, influential Black speakers, poets, natural hair specialists, visual artists and others. DJ Tim Allen will infuse the event with the music of Black culture, and drawings for giveaways will take place throughout the day. Black-owned food trucks will be onsite with food for purchase. First-year Mitchell College student Inonda Peterson conceived and organized the event as a way to show younger generations in the Black community that they are not defined or limited by their skin color. She is also the owner of InondaWrites, LLC, whose mission is to give a voice to those who have been silenced by pain. Peterson said, “In planning this event I wanted to paint a picture of Black success to show younger generations what they can aspire to do and be. Letting OUR Voices Be Heard will showcase Black excellence, Black prosperity and Black success and is meant to educate all ages and all skin colors about Black heritage and culture. Everyone is welcome.” Dr. Alicia Martinez, dean of student affairs and belonging, said “Mitchell College is excited to open our doors to the community and celebrate Black culture and heritage together at Letting OUR Voices Be Heard. This event is one example of how our students are empowered to be architects of their own Mitchell experience. Inonda had an idea, enlisted support for it and followed through to make it happen. Knowing that she is part of a community that strongly values respect, trust and inclusion without judgment enabled her to pursue her vision with confidence.” Peterson has received community support in planning the event from Mitchell College Professor Kevin Booker, community partner Lisa Ann Curtis, State Rep. Anthony Nolan, New London Police Chief Brian Wright, Hearing Youth Voices and Mitchell College staff and faculty. In a show of cross-town support, the Connecticut College Black Student Union will also be promoting the event on its campus with plans for its students to attend the event. ### About Mitchell College An inclusive, independent institution, Mitchell College believes in harnessing the power of transformation and uncovering what’s radically possible for every student, supporting a wide spectrum of diversity in race, gender, class, age, ethnicity and learning style. Over more than 85 years, Mitchell has developed the Mitchell Ability Model, a distinct educational approach blending a tradition of mentoring with expertise in teaching those with different learning and processing styles. Through a journey of self-discovery, learning adaptability, career development and mastery of essential abilities, students are challenged, supported and equipped for lifelong success. Mitchell is committed to the broader community through building strong, creative and cooperative partnerships. Located on a beautiful waterfront campus in historic New London, Connecticut, the college is part of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and home to championship NCAA Division III athletics, Thames at Mitchell College, the Mystic Program, the renowned Bentsen Learning Center, STAIRs and the Mitchell Hub for Digital Innovation and Educational Excellence. We are Radically Possible. Powerfully Mitchell.
NEW LONDON, Conn. (Feb. 8, 2024)—Mitchell College invites the community to attend “Letting OUR Voices Be Heard,” a celebration of Black heritage and culture, Sunday, February 25, 1–5 p.m. in the Clarke Center at Mitchell College, 437 Pequot Ave., New London. (Snow date is Sunday, March 3.) Event admission is free, but registration is recommended.
Register at: https://mitchell.edu/2024/02/01/blackvoices/
The Black History Month event will feature dozens of Black performers and Black-owned businesses, including dancers, vocalists, instrumentalists, influential Black speakers, poets, natural hair specialists, visual artists and others. DJ Tim Allen will infuse the event with the music of Black culture, and drawings for giveaways will take place throughout the day. Black-owned food trucks will be onsite with food for purchase.
First-year Mitchell College student Inonda Peterson conceived and organized the event as a way to show younger generations in the Black community that they are not defined or limited by their skin color. She is also the owner of InondaWrites, LLC, whose mission is to give a voice to those who have been silenced by pain.
Peterson said, “In planning this event I wanted to paint a picture of Black success to show younger generations what they can aspire to do and be. Letting OUR Voices Be Heard will showcase Black excellence, Black prosperity and Black success and is meant to educate all ages and all skin colors about Black heritage and culture. Everyone is welcome.”
Dr. Alicia Martinez, dean of student affairs and belonging, said “Mitchell College is excited to open our doors to the community and celebrate Black culture and heritage together at Letting OUR Voices Be Heard. This event is one example of how our students are empowered to be architects of their own Mitchell experience. Inonda had an idea, enlisted support for it and followed through to make it happen. Knowing that she is part of a community that strongly values respect, trust and inclusion without judgment enabled her to pursue her vision with confidence.”
Peterson has received community support in planning the event from Mitchell College Professor Kevin Booker, community partner Lisa Ann Curtis, State Rep. Anthony Nolan, New London Police Chief Brian Wright, Hearing Youth Voices and Mitchell College staff and faculty. In a show of cross-town support, the Connecticut College Black Student Union will also be promoting the event on its campus with plans for its students to attend the event.
### About Mitchell College An inclusive, independent institution, Mitchell College believes in harnessing the power of transformation and uncovering what’s radically possible for every student, supporting a wide spectrum of diversity in race, gender, class, age, ethnicity and learning style. Over more than 85 years, Mitchell has developed the Mitchell Ability Model, a distinct educational approach blending a tradition of mentoring with expertise in teaching those with different learning and processing styles. Through a journey of self-discovery, learning adaptability, career development and mastery of essential abilities, students are challenged, supported and equipped for lifelong success. Mitchell is committed to the broader community through building strong, creative and cooperative partnerships. Located on a beautiful waterfront campus in historic New London, Connecticut, the college is part of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) and home to championship NCAA Division III athletics, Thames at Mitchell College, the Mystic Program, the renowned Bentsen Learning Center, STAIRs and the Mitchell Hub for Digital Innovation and Educational Excellence. We are Radically Possible. Powerfully Mitchell.