education

Black History 101 Mobile Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Hip Hop Culture on National Tour

St. Clair County Library System presents the Black History 101 Mobile Museum national tour which commemorates 50 Years of Hip Hop culture. The tour will stop at the Don Dodge Auditorium, located at 200 Grand River Avenue, Port Huron. 

The exhibit begins Friday, June 16th, from 10 am – 3 pm. Attendees can drop in at any time during tour hours to view the exhibit. The museum’s founder, Dr. Khalid el-Hakim, will deliver a presentation at 1 PM.

Featuring more than 150 original artifacts, the exhibition captures the evolution of Hip Hop culture and its profound impact on American society. It emphasizes the contributions of Black artists and innovators within the genre. 

The exhibit takes a unique approach by examining Hip Hop culture through the lens of significant social movements like the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Stop the Violence Movement. 

For more information, visit: stclaircountylibrary.org.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Community Groups Host Juneteenth Celebration At SC4

St. Clair County Community College (SC4) will be hosting their 2023 Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 19th, from 12-6 pm. The event will be located on the SC4 Greenway at 323 Erie Street, in Port huron. 

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Freedom,” as the event aims to commemorate this important day in American history and emphasize that freedom transcends race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. 

There will be games and activities, food and retail vendors, live entertainment, giveaways, community resources, and more.

The collaborative effort involves SC4, Port Huron Museums, Port Huron Branch NAACP, Black Lives Matter, the City of Port Huron, the St. Clair County Community Foundation, C4 Yourself Church, and St. Clair County Organizing for Regional Equity. 

The event welcomes everyone to come together and honor the significance of Juneteenth, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equality and freedom.

For more information, visit: sc4.edu.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Letter Grades For Students May Be A Thing Of The Past

Governor Whitmer has signed legislation that will bring about significant changes in how public schools in Michigan are ranked by the state. The current Revised School Code mandates the Michigan Department of Education to assign letter grades, ranging from A to F. 

Proponents argue that this system aids in determining funding allocations, but critics assert that the process of ranking schools is far more intricate than a simple letter grade, and that the school index accountability system would be a better model to follow.

The school index accountability system evaluates schools on a scale of 0 to 100, considering factors such as student growth, proficiency, graduation rates, English learner progress, attendance rates, advanced coursework completion, postsecondary enrollment, and staffing ratios.

State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice says, “Coupled with the parent dashboard, the school index accountability system, which predates the A-F system in the state, is more informative and complete, and has been approved by the U.S. Department of Education.”

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Gov. Whitmer Signs Legislation Lowering Costs of College Tuition for Military Spouses and Children

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that broadens the eligibility criteria for the Michigan National Guard state tuition assistance program, allowing spouses and dependents to benefit. The expansion of the program aims to enhance recruitment efforts, promote retention, and improve the overall quality of life for Guard members and their families. The expansion increases the funding cap from $10 million to $15 million.

The bipartisan bill signed by Governor Whitmer will significantly reduce the cost of higher education for spouses and children of Michigan National Guard members. The move demonstrates the state’s commitment to supporting service members and their families, who make selfless sacrifices to protect citizens and uphold fundamental values and freedoms.

House Bill 4199 opens doors to financial assistance for spouses and dependents of National Guard members attending public or private colleges, universities, vocational schools, technical schools, or trade schools in Michigan.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

FDA Approves Use Of Gene Edited Pigs For Food Source

Sausages made from gene-edited pigs have paved the way for a potential shift in the human food chain. A team of researchers at Washington State University cooked up sausages from five 2-year-old genetically edited pigs as part of a successful test case. 

Professor Jon Oatley, from the college’s School of Molecular Biosciences, led the study and obtained FDA food-use authorization for the pigs, demonstrating the safety of consuming food derived from animals edited using CRISPR technology.

The researchers aim to enhance desirable traits for improved food production and meat quality, addressing the global challenge of feeding a growing population. Although research on other livestock species, including cattle, goats, and sheep, is also ongoing, progress has been faster with pigs due to their shorter generation interval and larger litters.

While the FDA authorization currently applies only to Oatley’s research, the team plans to pursue food-use authorization for other species in the future. The breakthrough holds significant implications for protein sources, particularly in developing nations.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

The Blue Water Area YMCA And McMorran Plaza Team Up For Health And Fitness

Fitness enthusiasts in Port Huron can now enjoy free exercise programs this summer at McMorran Plaza, thanks to a partnership between the City of Port Huron and the YMCA of the Blue Water Area. The initiative aims to promote health and wellness within the community.

Residents can choose from a variety of exercise programs instructed by the knowledgeable staff of the YMCA. Whether it’s cardio, strength training, or yoga, participants can browse or register for their preferred program which will commence on June 1st.

A YMCA membership is not required to participate in these free programs. This inclusive approach ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can take advantage of the opportunity to improve their fitness levels.

Being a nonprofit organization, the Blue Water Area YMCA and their Open Arms Campaign rely on the members of the community to help sponsor these programs for all to enjoy. If you would like to donate or support the YMCA, visit: bluewaterymca.com. 

Photo: Sheila Potrykus-Volker

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell