Del Mar College Dean of Student Engagement and retention Cheryl Sanders said Black History Month is a change to showcase the evolution of African-Americans within American society.
"Black History Month is very important to me," she said. "It's a time to celebrate and honor those of African descent and our history; to celebrate them, because of the challenges that they've been through and also the accomplishments they've achieved. It shows how far we've come as a people."
She said she is personally grateful for black history, because it gave her shoulders to stand on and has shaped her into who she is today.
"If it wasn't for African people in history," she said. "I wouldn't be in this position I'm in today."
Sanders said it's also a point of pride to be able work in one of the first places in the country to welcome African-Americans into its ranks.
"Del Mar College was one of the first institutions in history to embrace desegregation," she said. "Two years before Topeka vs. Brown, which is "separate is not equal," seven black students enrolled to attend Del Mar College. So for me, I am proud to be a part of that type of history here in Corpus Christi, working at Del Mar College."
