“…to unify the Black students, to present the Black point of view to the student body at large, and to promote programs and policies fitting the needs of the Black students…throughout the College.”
-1969 OCC Student Handbook, Association of Black Students
This statement of purpose is from the Oakland Community College Association of Black Students (ABS) in 1969. The ABS was a student-led organization with the assistance of Faculty Advisors that formed across OCC’s Campuses. Part of the Black Power and Black Student Movement sweeping the nation in the late 1960s, the OCC ABS chapters rapidly sprung up following the establishment of the National Association of Black Students in August 1969 (Benson, 2017).
Membership was open to any person indicating concern and willingness to work towards the advancement and representation of the Black students. Not wasting any time, the OCC ABS championed the observance of what was then called “Afro-History Week.” Initially events were hosted on Campus, but the ABS soon expanded their aim to include the community in 1972.
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The program for 1973 was held at the Whitmer Human Resource Center in Pontiac and featured a series of lectures, workshops, exhibits, poetry, music, song, and dance. The Michigan Chronicle praised the event as “probably the finest series of programs in observation of Afro History Week held in the metropolitan area.”
Locally as well as internationally known speakers highlighted the event, such as: Jon Onyé Lockhard, Civil Rights Leader Hosea Williams, and Arthur Fletcher- Executive Director of the United Negro College Fund, New York. George Norman’s “Black Odessy” exhibit using pictures, sculpture and words to tell the stories of African Americans was on display throughout the week and each day ended with the arts. Black Theater by the Wayne State Players, African folk dance by the Ashanti Drummers and Dancers, Gospel music sung by the Baptist, Methodist, and Church of God Gospel Community Choir, Kasuka Mafia and the Success Orkestra, and the Detroit Post Office Male Chorus were all performers.
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Our Association of Black Students was a catalyst in precipitating diversity and advocacy at OCC. They were a voice for our Black community through a time of great social change and their determination and dedication to the celebration of Black history and achievements blossomed here at OCC 17 years before National Black History Month was codified by Congress.
Do you have materials on the ABS? We would love to grow this collection on this important part of OCC history. Please send an email to archivesocc@oaklandcc.edu or call 248-232-4470 to speak with our College Archivist.
More information on OCC's Association of Black Students can be found in our Historic Materials Collection.
References
Benson, R. D. (2017). Black Student-Worker Revolution and Reparations: The National Association of Black
Students, 1969-1972. Phylon (1960-), 54(1), 57-78. http://www.jstor.org/stable/90011264
Black, B. (1973 March 22). Outstanding Afro History Program At Oakland CC. The Michigan Chronicle.
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