Brookdale Marks Black History Month with Pan-African Flag Raising

Brookdale Community College marked the start of Black History Month with its annual Pan-African Flag Raising ceremony, a campus tradition honoring African heritage, resilience, and the enduring contributions of Black Americans.

The ceremony was led by Jocelyn Fajardo, Vice President of the Student Life Board, who served as master of ceremonies and welcomed students, faculty, and staff to reflect on the meaning of the red, black, and green flag. She invited College President Dr. David M. Stout to the podium, where he spoke about the flag as a powerful symbol of unity, perseverance, and progress.

“The Pan-African flag embodies unity, strength, and endurance,” Stout said. “By raising this flag, we honor those who came before us and recommit ourselves to building a fair and inclusive society where every member of our community feels respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive.”

Speakers highlighted the symbolism of the flag’s colors: red representing sacrifice and struggle, black honoring shared history and identity, and green symbolizing hope and the promise of future generations. Remarks also recognized the profound impact Black Americans have had across fields including the arts, science, medicine, government, and education, naming trailblazers such as Dr. Daniel Hale Williams and Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett.

The program included a moving performance by Kelli Sanders-Jennings, supervisor of Conference Services, who sang Lift Every Voice and Sing and We Shall Overcome, followed by a reading by Fajardo from Still I Rise by Maya Angelou, reinforcing themes of resilience, justice, and collective responsibility.

Reflecting on the poem, Fajardo shared, “Still I Rise was written as a call to action during the Civil Rights Movement, and its message remains just as powerful today. At moments when our nation feels divided, it is vital that we continue to celebrate culture, honor history, and uplift voices that were once silenced. As Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ Through resilience, education, and unity, we will continue to rise, together.”

The ceremony concluded with an invitation for attendees to continue the conversation at a community reception hosted by the Student Life Board, underscoring Brookdale’s commitment to coming together in reflection, celebration, and solidarity.