Black History Month health fair proves fruitful
Brandon Marcell, a local flute player, performed for more than an hour in the Gannon Building cafeteria during the Black History Month health fair Feb. 6. (Photo by Larry Hook)
Joe Israel
Sports Editor
The annual observance of Black History Month in the U.S., U.K. and Canada is about remembrance of important people in the African diaspora.
For many students and faculty at Lansing Community College, the same ethos is still maintained with an emphasis on community.
LCC campus was exuberant as the month-long festivities kicked off Jan. 31 with a plethora of entertainment, guest speakers and a special guest performance by Lansing’s own recording artist, Taylor Taylor.
The positive vibes and uplifting energy made its way through the Gannon Building Feb. 6. A health fair on the second and third floor served students’ needs with an emphasis on not only the state of African-Americans’ health, but everybody who inquired.
The on-site services at many of the available booths included back alignment assessment, blood pressure checks, site testing for sickle cell anemia traits, chair massages, fitness testing, Ingham County Health Plan registration information and much more.
The fair also featured the aforementioned Ingham County Health Plan (IHP) registration booths, complete with a representative from NorthWest Initiative to get people signed up.
“I like all of the different booths and organizations here that are community based,” said NorthWest Outreach worker Danielle Evans. “And maintaining your health is so important.”
For many on the campus, it was a time to build and fuse the student body together regardless of race, nationality or creed. The greater goal was the physical and spiritual advancement of all races, nations and creeds with Black History Month as the backdrop.
“The change that I’ve noticed has been remarkable,” said LCC Adviser Gil Hill. “People are making progress without going backwards.”
Students were treated to a special lunchtime musical serenade, as area jazz musician Brandon Marcell filled the room with melody. The saxophonist bonded the old school with the new, as Alicia Keys was mashed up with Marsalis.
“Starting with the President of the U.S. as well as higher education, we’re starting to see a lot more black men and women get diplomas and degrees,” Marcell said. “It’s a great time to showcase our history and show what blacks have done past and present.”
Category: Other Featured
