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By Bithyah Israel, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Arts and Humanities
As a tour guide and the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Arts and Humanities at the Urban Ministry, I get the enjoyment of meeting a lot of our neighbors in Roxbury and learning of the triumphs that activism here has brought into reality.
One of those triumphs is evident in Roxbury Community College, a 16-acre campus located at 1234 Columbus Avenue in Roxbury, just a stroll away from the Urban Ministry.
What makes Roxbury Community College a hidden gem? Here are some intriguing facts:
Led by interim president Jackie Jenkins-Scott, who previously served as the 13th president of Wheelock College and President and CEO of Dimock Health for 21 years
The only predominantly Black community college in the northeast
Established in 1973 by community activists - RCC just celebrated its 50th anniversary!
Elected officials have been sworn in at RCC, including Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, U.S. Attorney Rachel Rollins, and Senator Elizabeth Warren. President Barack Obama attended a rally for Senator Ed Markey at the Reggie Lewis Center in 2013
Since 2017, RCC's state-of-the-art health sciences facilities boast mock hospital and nursing simulation spaces. RCC students receive many externship opportunities at Boston-area research hospitals, including Mass General Brigham and BU Medical Center
We will visit RCC many times during our walking tours of Roxbury this year, from May to September. The schedule will be published in April. Stay tuned!
Want to learn more? Take the virtual tour at https://www.rcc.mass.edu/explore/visit-rcc/virtual-campus-tour.html