Black History Month Luncheon at Texarkana College Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies

On February 26, 2025, the Great Room of the Truman Arnold Student Center at Texarkana College was filled with anticipation as Student Activities hosted a vibrant Black History Month Luncheon.

Employees of Texarkana College joined students from Texas High School and Arkansas High to enjoy an afternoon of inspiration. TC Music student, Chantal McCulloh, led by Choral Director, Marc-André Bougie, sang a spiritual and led the audience in “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Dr. Kimberly M. Lowry’s keynote presentation, “Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies: The Role of Education in Black History and Beyond,” left a mark on everyone present.

Dr. Lowry, Vice President of the Texas Association of Community Colleges and Executive Director of the Texas Success Center, brought a wealth of insight to the event. With a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of North Texas and a career that includes roles at Wilberforce University and Houston Community College, she spoke with authority about education’s power to transform lives and communities. Her central message was clear: education breaks cycles of poverty while forging legacies that endure across generations.

She began by honoring the “giants” whose historical fight for educational access laid the groundwork for today’s opportunities, quoting Nelson Mandela—“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”—to frame its enduring significance. Her words struck a chord with the audience, setting a tone of reflection and resolve.

Dr. Lowry brought the past into the present by celebrating contemporary figures who embody education’s impact. She introduced Ariana Brown, a San Antonio poet whose dual degrees in African Diaspora Studies and Mexican American Studies from UT Austin fuel her exploration of Afro-Latinx identity. Dr. Wendy Okolo, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from UT Arlington at age 26, was hailed for her pioneering work and Black Engineer of the Year Award. Ashanti Johnson, one of the first African American female chemical oceanographers with a Ph.D. from Texas A&M, was recognized for her research and STEM advocacy. Hayden Cohen, a nonbinary Texas student and co-founder of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), was celebrated for empowering youth in policymaking. These stories resonated deeply with the students and staff, offering tangible proof of education’s potential to shape futures.

Dr. Lowry didn’t shy away from the state’s stark realities. She shared that 84.6% of Texans hold only a high school diploma, placing Texas near the bottom nationally in educational attainment. With a poverty rate of 14%—ranking 8th worst in the U.S.—Black (19.7%) and Hispanic (18.6%) residents face disproportionate hardship. She highlighted that 46% of employers struggle to fill jobs, and only 56% of households earn a living wage. Charts tracing Black educational progress from 1970 to 2022 showed advancement, yet underscored persistent gaps, urging the audience to recognize the work still ahead.

Turning to the future, Dr. Lowry challenged the room—packed with young faces from Texas High and Arkansas High, alongside Texarkana College students and employees—to see themselves as torchbearers. “Every degree earned, every barrier broken, helps lift the next generation,” she proclaimed. She outlined three “Commitments”—do your best every day, finish what you start, and pay it forward—as a blueprint for turning education into a lasting impact.

Her closing questions—“What impact will you leave? Who will you inspire? What barriers will you break?”—felt personal and pressing. She ended with a powerful call: “You have the power to build a legacy. What will yours be?” It was a challenge that lingered in the minds of all who heard it.

The Black History Month Luncheon, hosted by Texarkana College’s Student Activities team, was a triumph of community and purpose. The Great Room hummed with connection as attendees reflected on Dr. Lowry’s words. She bridged history and hope, honoring past struggles while inspiring action for the future.

As participants left the Truman Arnold Student Center, her message echoed: education is a key to opportunity, a tool for empowerment, and a legacy worth building. For those gathered, it was a moment to celebrate progress—and a call to break the barriers still standing.