The Africana Studies Department at Cerritos College marked the centennial of Black History on Wednesday, Feb. 25, honoring the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month.

The event featured a panel discussion with school faculty, course leaders, and distinguished panelists as part of the college’s Black History Month celebrations.

“100 years of Black History Month, I don’t think that’s something to be taken lightly,” said Dr. Amiri Mahnzilli, a professor at Cerritos College. “Carter G. Woodson, one of the seminal important figures in Black history and Black thinking, is the progenitor of Black History Month.”

The panel delved into the role of Africana Studies in preserving and advancing Black history, emphasizing the discipline’s foundation in history and culture.

Panelists discussed how the field serves as both an academic discipline and a broader intellectual pursuit rooted in African traditions and perspectives.

Louis Walee, a professor of Africana Studies at Cerritos College, highlighted the structured and meaningful approach of the college’s Black Studies Department. “They just want to jump on Black studies like it’s a hustle,” Walee said. “And what you see here is you don’t have any of that because it’s actually structured… when we talk about Black studies as an academic discipline, but also really as a broader epistemic project, you see that it has a lot of different layers to it.”

The discussion also touched on the transformative power of Black history education.

Professor Prince Gumbi, also of Cerritos College, emphasized the importance of understanding one’s history to foster personal growth and pride. “Part of my work is not to teach you knowledge, but to heal you,” Gumbi said. “To heal you from all this pressure and this misinformation that has been inculcated in you, to heal your soul, to heal your mind.”

The event underscored the significance of Africana Studies in shaping identity, fostering pride, and building community.

As the panelists shared their experiences and insights, they encouraged students to continue learning about Black history and its contributions to education and society.

The celebration of Black History Month at Cerritos College continues to honor the mission of Carter G. Woodson by promoting a deeper understanding of the rich and multifaceted history of the African diaspora.