By James Lancy, Live Wire Assistant Editor

Thursday afternoon gave a chance to remember the prominent figures in African-American history, as well as awarding three women in Manchester for their efforts in providing quality leadership for the community of Manchester.

President Gena Glickman welcomed the attendees to the ceremony and T.J. Barber emceed the event as he introduced several of its speakers. Several members of “Brother-2-Brother” and “Sister-2-Sister” served as a way to provide perspective from an African-American to the attendees. Shaquana Johnson spoke briefly about the theme for 2015 in African-American history dubbed, “A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture” as stated by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

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Andrew Allen, of “Brother-2-Brother,” read a poem by an unknown author entitled “I Am the Black Child,” while Phillip Hylton, a member from the same club offered a perspective about its history as it was taught in the Caribbean.

Professor of Communications Stephania Davis was the keynote speaker for the event. Davis addressed the unknown innovators of African-American history and what today’s society have to thank because of them.

Dr. Pamela Mitchell presented Leadership Awards to Regina Moye, a counselor at Manchester High School, Endia DeCordova, Dean of Development and Community Engagement, and Irene Darko, a student at MCC. Moye was granted the Community Leadership Award, DeCordova was given the College Employee Leadership Award, and Darko was given the MCC Student Leadership Award.

At the very end of the ceremony, Barber announced to the attendees that a petition would be brought to government officials concerning the limited funding that education entities have been receiving and urged students to share the impact that higher education has had in their lives.