Nelson Mandela Day was celebrated with twelve hours of words about freedom at the Jefferson School City Center on Thursday (July 18). Beginning at 10 am, the public was invited to come share their thoughts on freedom at the African American Heritage Center. The event was live-streamed and several tenants throughout the building set up places for visitors to watch and listen. Participants were welcome to bring their own writings to share. Many chose to read speeches from Mandela or other civil rights heroes.
Jennifer Van Winkle chose to read the Nobel prize acceptance speech from Rigoberta Menchu Tum, an indigenous Guatemalan woman who dedicated her life to promoting civil rights in the region. “There were many readings by well-known men, so I wanted to include a woman’s voice, Van Winkle said. “Her speech is also important because she speaks about peace as an ongoing thing. This speech is still relevant.”
The day featured many readings of Mandela’s speeches, Gandhi’s works, and even quotes about freedom from Dr. Seuss. “This was meant to be an entirely organic thing,” said Andrea Douglas, director of the African American Heritage Center. “Uncomplicated. Just show up and share.”
Mandela turned 95 on Thursday and events were held all over the world in honor of the South African President and revolutionary.
Fall Semester Info Sessions at Jefferson School Center
Piedmont Virginia Community College is hosting information sessions for fall semester at the Jefferson School Center. Sessions are from 4 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, and Wednesday, Aug. 14. No appointment is necessary.
PVCC advisors will be available to assist prospective students with applying to PVCC, selecting a program of study and enrolling in fall classes. Financial aid representatives will also be on hand. Eric Breckoff, associate professor of PVCC’s new culinary arts degree program, will present child-friendly cooking demonstrations in PVCC’s new commercial teaching kitchen. Additional information about PVCC’s new Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts will be available from Chuck Bohleke, dean of Business, Mathematics and Technologies.
An open house and tours of the YMCA Intergeneration Learning Center will also be available. Discounted child-care services at the YMCA Jefferson School are available for children of PVCC students. Additional information about full-time child care and hourly child watch services is available at www.piedmontymca.org or call 434.974.9622.
Registration is under way now for the fall semester at PVCC. Credit classes start Monday, Aug. 26. Online registration is available on PVCC’s Web site at www.pvcc.edu 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Up, down, and up again
Banners were returned to the Jefferson School City Center parking lot this week and reinstalled by the CBRE maintenance staff. City Council formally approved the banners promoting individual tenants at their July 15 meeting. The Board of Architectural Review previously unanimously recommended approval of the 26 changeable banners on the light poles.
Jefferson School City Center is a voice of the nine nonprofits located at Charlottesville’s intergenerational community center, the restored Jefferson School. We are a legacy preserved . . . a soul reborn . . . in the heart of Cville!
