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Award-winning media personality Dyana Williams will deliver keynote address January 8, 2024, Blue Bell/Pottstown, Pa.— Montgomery County Community College is proud to announce the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity will be held Feb. 13-16 on the College’s campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown and online. This annual capstone event advances and facilitates ongoing public dialogue on diversity and inclusiveness among students, employees and the community. It will include four days of learning and discussion designed to engage our campuses and communities. “This is a four-day event, themed ‘Transforming Lives: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Change,’ is a nod to our 60th anniversary tagline ‘Transforming Lives and Communities,’” said Dr. Stephanie R. Allen, MCCC Director of Equity, Diversity and Belonging. “This year’s symposium is a family-friendly event, meaning there are events and activities for all ages and stages of life.” The keynote speaker for the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity is Dyana Williams, an award-winning on-air personality and a trailblazer in broadcasting, music activism and celebrity media strategy. She will deliver an empowering and uplifting keynote address on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. about her journey in media over the last 50 years in the theater at the Montco Cultural Center. Williams began her career in broadcasting first in radio in 1973 under the pseudonym Ebony Moonbeams working for stations in New York and Washington, D.C. and later in television. In fact, she was the first Black rock DJ in New York. She eventually moved to Philadelphia in 1980 working as a DJ for WDAS 105.3-FM, where she continued to pioneer a trail for Black women in broadcasting to follow for decades to come. Williams is CEO of Influence Entertainment, working as a media consultant with some of the music industry’s biggest stars including pop stars Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Rihanna and Usher, to rappers T.I., and ASAP Rocky, as well as rock groups Dave Matthews Band and The Zac Brown Band. Williams helps her clients navigate fame and their image in the media. Outside of her work, Williams has helped found the International Association of African American Music Foundation and the National Museum of African American Music. Dubbed “The Godmother of Black Music” by Ebony Magazine, she also helped to establish June as Black Music Month. In 2011, News One listed Williams as #7 on the "Top 20 Black Radio Jockeys of All Time" and RadioFacts.com recognized her as #8 on the "Top 30 Black Women in Media." In 2014, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, presented a proclamation to Williams for her efforts to augment the Philadelphia slogan: The City of Brotherly Love, adding Sisterly Affection, acknowledging the inclusion of women. Her message to students during this year’s symposium will be to pursue the best versions of themselves. “It’s about living a life of fulfillment,” said Williams. “I want to pass on to students that life is about absorbing. I want to talk to students about actualization, realization and accomplishing your goals.” All events during the symposium are free and open to the public, though registration is required for certain presentations. Virtual sessions do not require registration, and links to each session will be available via the Presidential Symposium on Diversity homepage. For full details, visit mc3.edu/symposium. Tuesday, Feb. 13, Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell 11:30 a.m. – Monty Reads – story time with mascot Monty the Mustang, Children’s Nook, College Hall, Brendlinger Library 1 p.m.- Keynote Presentation – Dyana Williams, theater at the Montco Cultural Center, Science Center, this presentation is free but registration is required to reserve your seat 3 p.m. – Master Class with Dyana Williams and David Doskicz-Ivory, MCCC Director of Sound Recording and Music Technology The Mix Room at Montco, Advanced Technology Center Wednesday, Feb. 14, Pottstown Campus, 101 College Drive, Pottstown TriCounty Art Exhibition – High school student artwork on display, North Hall Gallery 10 a.m. Self-guided tour of the Wellness Center, North Hall 9 a.m. – Virtual discussion, “Teaching Honestly: Historically Responsive Literacy (HRL) in the Community College Classroom,” facilitated by Dr. Monica D’Antonio, MCCC English Professor. 10:30 a.m. – Monty Reads – story time with mascot Monty the Mustang, Library, South Hall 11:15 a.m. – “Bridging Generational Diversity Gaps,” facilitated by Constance Dugan, Vice President of Environmental Services at Waverly Heights, North Hall Room 202. This session is free, but registration is required. 12 p.m. – Health and Wellness Fair, information about resources for supporting health and well-being, first-floor lobby of South Hall 2 p.m. – Mental Health Allyship Training, facilitated by Dr. Nichole Kang, MCCC Director of the Wellness Center, and Dominic Ciccimaro, Recovery Specialist, North Hall Room 114. This session has a cap of 25 attendees and registration is required. Thursday, Feb. 15, Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell 11:00 a.m. – “The Ever-Changing Landscape of Education Panel,” facilitated by Jared Brown, MCCC Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at Pottstown Campus, College Hall Rooms144/148/151. The session is free but registration is required. 1 p.m. – “Roundtable Discussion: Affirmative Action Over the Years,” facilitated by Dr. Garvey Lundy, MCCC Sociology Associate Professor, College Hall Room 146 The session is free but registration is required. 3 p.m. – Virtual presentation “The Wells Collective: Putting Equity into Practice,” facilitated by Akailah Jenkins-McIntyre & Talia Busby Titus. This session is free, but registration is required. Friday, Feb. 16 Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell 1 p.m. – Virtual presentation, “Building Confidence and Community through Intentional Inclusion,” facilitated by Dr. Amanda Gatchet, MCCC Communication Studies Associate Professor, Jeslin Matthew, MCCC Communication Studies Assistant Professor, and Dr. Shuktara Das, MCCC Director of Analysis & Implementation. 6 p.m. – Disney’s “Elemental” movie screening, theater at the Montco Cultural Center, Science Center. The viewing party is free and open to the public but registration is required. Dr. Allen welcomes all students in the High School Dual Enrollment, Upward Bound, Montco's Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness (POWER), and Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS), program to attend the Presidential Symposium on Diversity. In addition, the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity’s service project will be collecting gently used instruments to donate to Girls First, a Norristown based after school program for young people. For full details about the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity, visit mc3.edu/symposium or contact edb@mc3.edu. Written by Eric Devlin Photo Captions Photo 1: Dyana Williams, award-winning on-air personality & trailblazer in broadcasting, music activism and celebrity media strategy, will deliver the keynote address during the Montgomery County Community College 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity. The event runs Feb. 13-16 on Blue Bell and Pottstown Campuses and online. Photo by Ricky Codio. Photo 2: Dyana Williams will deliver the keynote address during the Montgomery County Community College 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity. The event runs Feb. 13-16. Photo by Whitney Thomas. About Montgomery County Community College Since 1964, Montgomery County Community College has grown with the community to meet the evolving educational needs of Montgomery County. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students enjoy the flexibility of learning at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown and online. As an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction, the institution is positioned at the vanguard of national efforts to remove barriers to access, improve learning outcomes, and increase completion for all students. The College also is recognized regionally and nationally for its sustainability leadership, work with military veterans, community service and service-learning opportunities, and use of classroom technology. For seven years, MCCC has been named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in the nation by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for its commitment to diversity through inclusive learning and work environments, student and staff recruitment and retention practices, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities. For more information, visit https://www.mc3.edu.
Award-winning media personality Dyana Williams will deliver keynote address
January 8, 2024, Blue Bell/Pottstown, Pa.— Montgomery County Community College is proud to announce the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity will be held Feb. 13-16 on the College’s campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown and online.
This annual capstone event advances and facilitates ongoing public dialogue on diversity and inclusiveness among students, employees and the community. It will include four days of learning and discussion designed to engage our campuses and communities.
“This is a four-day event, themed ‘Transforming Lives: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Change,’ is a nod to our 60th anniversary tagline ‘Transforming Lives and Communities,’” said Dr. Stephanie R. Allen, MCCC Director of Equity, Diversity and Belonging. “This year’s symposium is a family-friendly event, meaning there are events and activities for all ages and stages of life.”
The keynote speaker for the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity is Dyana Williams, an award-winning on-air personality and a trailblazer in broadcasting, music activism and celebrity media strategy. She will deliver an empowering and uplifting keynote address on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. about her journey in media over the last 50 years in the theater at the Montco Cultural Center.
Williams began her career in broadcasting first in radio in 1973 under the pseudonym Ebony Moonbeams working for stations in New York and Washington, D.C. and later in television. In fact, she was the first Black rock DJ in New York. She eventually moved to Philadelphia in 1980 working as a DJ for WDAS 105.3-FM, where she continued to pioneer a trail for Black women in broadcasting to follow for decades to come.
Williams is CEO of Influence Entertainment, working as a media consultant with some of the music industry’s biggest stars including pop stars Justin Bieber, Pitbull, Rihanna and Usher, to rappers T.I., and ASAP Rocky, as well as rock groups Dave Matthews Band and The Zac Brown Band. Williams helps her clients navigate fame and their image in the media.
Outside of her work, Williams has helped found the International Association of African American Music Foundation and the National Museum of African American Music. Dubbed “The Godmother of Black Music” by Ebony Magazine, she also helped to establish June as Black Music Month.
In 2011, News One listed Williams as #7 on the "Top 20 Black Radio Jockeys of All Time" and RadioFacts.com recognized her as #8 on the "Top 30 Black Women in Media." In 2014, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, presented a proclamation to Williams for her efforts to augment the Philadelphia slogan: The City of Brotherly Love, adding Sisterly Affection, acknowledging the inclusion of women.
Her message to students during this year’s symposium will be to pursue the best versions of themselves.
“It’s about living a life of fulfillment,” said Williams. “I want to pass on to students that life is about absorbing. I want to talk to students about actualization, realization and accomplishing your goals.”
All events during the symposium are free and open to the public, though registration is required for certain presentations. Virtual sessions do not require registration, and links to each session will be available via the Presidential Symposium on Diversity homepage. For full details, visit mc3.edu/symposium.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell
Wednesday, Feb. 14, Pottstown Campus, 101 College Drive, Pottstown
Thursday, Feb. 15, Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell
Friday, Feb. 16 Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell
Dr. Allen welcomes all students in the High School Dual Enrollment, Upward Bound, Montco's Partnership on Work Enrichment and Readiness (POWER), and Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS), program to attend the Presidential Symposium on Diversity.
In addition, the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity’s service project will be collecting gently used instruments to donate to Girls First, a Norristown based after school program for young people. For full details about the 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity, visit mc3.edu/symposium or contact edb@mc3.edu.
Written by Eric Devlin
Photo Captions
Photo 1: Dyana Williams, award-winning on-air personality & trailblazer in broadcasting, music activism and celebrity media strategy, will deliver the keynote address during the Montgomery County Community College 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity. The event runs Feb. 13-16 on Blue Bell and Pottstown Campuses and online. Photo by Ricky Codio.
Photo 2: Dyana Williams will deliver the keynote address during the Montgomery County Community College 2024 Presidential Symposium on Diversity. The event runs Feb. 13-16. Photo by Whitney Thomas.
About Montgomery County Community College Since 1964, Montgomery County Community College has grown with the community to meet the evolving educational needs of Montgomery County. The College’s comprehensive curriculum includes more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students enjoy the flexibility of learning at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown and online.
As an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction, the institution is positioned at the vanguard of national efforts to remove barriers to access, improve learning outcomes, and increase completion for all students. The College also is recognized regionally and nationally for its sustainability leadership, work with military veterans, community service and service-learning opportunities, and use of classroom technology. For seven years, MCCC has been named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in the nation by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for its commitment to diversity through inclusive learning and work environments, student and staff recruitment and retention practices, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities.
For more information, visit https://www.mc3.edu.