Connected by their grip on a giant pair of blue scissors, Equity Center Director Jason Dorsette and student leader Esther Manzano Lopez initiated a new chapter of providing education for all at a celebratory ribbon-cutting.
Jason Dorsette, Yanci Duran Aviles, and Angel Dorantes hosted the event Feb. 26 to showcase the Equity Center renovations on the Albany campus. Visitors to Forum 220 will discover changes in the shape and organization of the room. Many people spoke over the course of the open house.
College President Lisa Avery demonstrated her passion for the project, saying, “We mean education for all now more than ever.”
In addition to providing education for all, messages conveyed during the event included bridging educational gaps in core subjects for students of diverse backgrounds, and facilitating engagement between students, faculty and staff.
The Equity center is now prepared to hold cultural heritage month events, upcoming conferences, and provide a space for charities to rent, bringing another source of income for the college.
Esther Manzano Lopez said, “The Equity Center brought me a sense of community, a sense of belonging in an area where I might not feel represented enough.”
Dorantes reiterated those same themes of safety, welcoming, and belonging, saying we must “continue to have those courageous conversations that we now more than ever need.”
He further outlined the renovations on the slideshow. The comparison showed a significant expansion and upgrades to the center's functionalities.
Starting with the sketched floor plans outlined on the slideshow, he compared the new curved wall, expanded gathering area, furniture layout, and kitchen area to the old floor plan.
Dorantes highlighted the giant cabinets transported from Salem by volunteers, to electrical outlets suited for the kitchen area done by community members, and boxes full of stuff from the center packed by students to be relocated while the center was being remodeled.
Dorantes added plans to include four latino leaders in their community on a portrait to be displayed in the center concluded by thanking the administration for securing funds for the project.
Dorsette explained the center’s remodel was funded by LBCC’s leftover capital funds and
described their plan to rent the space out to nonprofit organizations to raise money for the center in the aftermath of federal.
Multiple speakers repeatedly emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for students to gather and find community.
The Equity Center wants to provide that to clubs, study groups, friends having lunch, and any other reason students have to gather.
The Equity Center cut the ribbon to unveil their new renovations on Wednesday, February 26 in Forum 220. Speakers included college President Lisa Avery, Executive Director Jason Dorsette, Latino Outreach & Retention Manager Angel Dorantes, Executive Assistant Yanci Duran Aviles, and multiple student contributors. Drop by the Equity Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to discover a welcoming community of students and get involved with the center's projects.
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