February 20, 2025

R-CCC Honors Local Black History Makers in Commemorative Event

 

AHOSKIE, NC –Roanoke-Chowan Community College (R-CCC) hosted a commemorative event celebrating Black History Month on Feb. 18, 2025. The event highlighted the significance of Black history and recognized four community leaders as the 2025 Black History Maker Honorees including education advocate Dr. Mary Ruffin-Harrell, community leader and mentor Pastor Donnie Graham, trailblazer in public service Sheriff Dexter Hayes and past chair and member of the Hertford County Board of Education Sheila Porter.
 
R-CCC President Dr. Murray J. Wiliams delivered the welcome, emphasizing the importance of honoring those who have made significant contributions to the local community. “Today, we unite to celebrate and honor the diverse histories, cultures and achievements of our united community. This month is a time to reflect on the struggles and the triumphs that have shaped the journey toward equality and justice.”
 
A highlight of the event was the recognition of local Black History makers whose achievements and dedication have had a lasting impact. These individuals have broken barriers, inspired change, and paved the way for future generations.
 
“We are especially honored to recognize our local Black History makers whose achievements and dedication have made a significant impact on our community,” Williams continued. “Their stories are a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of community.”
 
Judge Takiya Lewis Blalock was the keynote speaker. A history maker herself, on Jan. 1, 2025, Judge Blalock joined her father, W. Rob Lewis II on the bench and they became the first father and daughter judges to serve at the same time in the same district in the state.
 
Blalock emphasized her humble beginnings, growing up in Ahoskie, attending Hertford County Public Schools and graduating from Hertford County High School, attending church in Ahoskie and graduating from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and North Carolina Central University’s School of Law, both Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
 
“I didn’t come from a big city or get an education from a special school, and I went to HBCUs for college and law school. Growing up, I didn’t have access to all the things that students in cities like Raleigh and Charlotte have but what I did have was my faith in God, the support of my family and belief in myself,” said Blalock.
 
Growing up in a family with two law professionals as parents, she thought she would become a lawyer, but along the way, that career became the field she wanted to pursue.
 
“I made a conscious decision to follow the path that my parents set before me. However, I want you all to know that having a legacy or being part of a legacy does not restrict you to having the same career as your parents or grandparents,” she continued. “Legacy is so much more than that. Legacy is a long-lasting impact of someone’s actions on other people's lives. We are living our lives based on the impact and actions of all the Black folks that came before us. We would not be where we are today if it were not for them.”
 
“There are so many people who have changed history and created a legacy for all of us to be able to live freely,” Blalock said.
 
Citing the importance of education, she added, “Education is the only thing that cannot be taken from you… Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change your world. Once you know a thing, you cannot unknow it. That is why it’s important to learn Black history. Once you know where you are and how far you’ve come, you know that you will never go back.”
 
R-CCC Dean of Student Affairs Danielle Ruffin added, “To our students, remember that the history we celebrate today is not only a part of the past but is a living force that continues to inspire and shape our world… Black History Month is more than a month of celebration. It is a call to action. Let us continue to honor Black history every day through our actions, our learning and our commitment to create a more inclusive future for all.” 

Roanoke-Chowan Community College’s Mission

Roanoke-Chowan Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System and located in Hertford County, is a public, two-year institution of higher education offering associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, college and career readiness, and customized business and industry training in a variety of delivery modes promoting public service, transfer, and workforce development for a diverse student body, leading them to contribute to the vitality of an increasingly global community. www.roanokechowan.edu #DiscoverRCCC “Where community and careers connect”

Media Contact: Melanie Temple, Director of Marketing & Recruitment/PIO, metemple7181@roanokechowan.edu, 252-862-1243