BCCC celebrates Black History Month | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    BCCC celebrates Black History Month with songs, speeches, testimonials Over 200 people celebrated Black History Month at Beaufort County Community College on Monday, Feb. 18, in an event highlighted by children*s songs and an inspirational speech by noted author Columbus Copeland.

   The event was sponsored by Men of Success, a male mentoring club at BCCC with the goal of promoting achievement among the college's minority male students.
Keynote Speaker Columbus Copeland, pictured above, told the audience at "Keeping the Dream Alive" that "when you have a dream and a goal, you must run on ahead."
    As a child growing up in the South, Columbus Copeland dreamed of playing college basketball and earning a college degree. But despite his receiving numerous honors and awards for his athletic ability, Copeland wasn*t recruited by college coaches because of his poor grades and low SAT scores.

   Copeland did not let this stop him, however. On his own, he began writing and calling college coaches to give him a chance. Ultimately, that determination was rewarded and Copeland went on to play basketball and earn a bachelor's degree from Evangel College in Springfield, Mo.

"When God created us, he had something in mind," Copeland told the crowd. "I don*t care where you are right now. . .but that dream he gave you is going to come to pass."

    He told the group that in order to achieve their dreams, they have to know why they want them and should surround themselves with people who can help them achieve their goals.

"When that dream means something to you, you*ll keep on going," he said.

    "Choose people who can handle where you*'e going. Choose people who can make you stretch," he said. "If you*re the smartest person in your bunch - get a new bunch."

   Copeland also cautioned that there is often a price to pay for success.

    "Never become jealous of somebody's glory until you know the price they paid for it," he said.

   Your tombstone will list your date of birth and the date you died, separated by a dash, Copeland told the audience. The important question, he said is "What did you do with the dash God gave you?"

The event also featured songs by the Martin Community Action, Inc., Washington Head Start Center and the Multicultural Choir from Washington High School. It also featured testimonials from BCCC students. A reception followed the ceremony.

    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.
Members of the Men of Success and their mentors are, left to right, Tony Taylor, James Jones, Donte Lawrence, Daniel Wilson, Earl Hines, Christopher Lynch, George Burgess, Cedric Gray and Christian "Shaq" Worsley. The group sponsored the program celebrating black history held at BCCC on Feb. 18.