Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement Hosts Be the Change Community Event
The Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement hosted a free community event on Wednesday, August 11 titled, “Be the Change: A Social Justice Initiative.” As part of the evening, Be the Change mural artists Richard Johnson Jr., Ebony Branch, and Nigel Cooper engaged their work with attendees.
The Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement hosted a free community event on Wednesday, August 11 titled, “Be the Change: A Social Justice Initiative.” The Springfield College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement is located at 385 Eastern Avenue in Springfield.
As part of the evening, Be the Change mural artists Richard Johnson Jr., Ebony Branch, and Nigel Cooper engaged their work with attendees, which encouraged individuals to show up, speak up, and never give up. In addition, Springfield College Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Slandie Dieujuste and Springfield College Vice President for Inclusion and Community Engagement Dr. Calvin Hill provided words of advice and encouragement for those in attendance.
“Be the change not only means showing up to community events for ourselves, but it also means showing up for others,” said Dieujuste. “It means speaking up when others choose to be silent, it means to advocate for our communities and be involved in community organizations, it means engaging in the political process. We do this not only for ourselves, but for others.”
The night included opportunities to enjoy free food, listen to music, participate in games, and learn about community resources from our neighbors of the College.
“I love community, I understand our community, and I understand our hopes and dreams,” added Hill. “It’s important for us to be here together, and understand our resources, and how we can use our voices to make a difference in our community.”
The event was in collaboration with the Ward 4 Democratic Committee.
“We are so happy to be able to partner with our great community members and bring our community together,” said Springfield College Center for Service and Leadership Assistant Director Nicole Coakley. “It was a tremendous team effort, with help from Charlene Elvers, Camille Elliott, and Giselle Gaines. It was great to bring people together and encourage service to our community.”
Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.
