Black History Month Fireside Chat Features Hampton Roads Power Panel
TCC Student Life and the TCC Business, Computer Science and IT Pathway partnered with Black BRAND to host an educational panel and networking event at the Norfolk Student Center Wednesday afternoon, February 12, in celebration of Black History Month. The panel featured a dynamic group of visionaries and thought-leaders who led a meaningful conversation about Black intelligence, excellence, and liberation.
In correlation to the 2025 Black History Month national theme, African Americans & Labor, the panelists answered questions about Black empowerment in the workforce and collaborative efforts to build collective wealth.
Co-moderated by Dean Nancy Prather-Johnson and Dr. ClauDean Kizart, the panel hosted an array of entrepreneurs, educators, and nonprofit professionals
Vivian Oden, the vice president for Equity and Inclusion at the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, has an extensive history in philanthropy and pursuing inclusivity and equitability in her community. As the co-creator of Unmasking Hampton Roads, a three-part learning series designed to examine historic and contemporary impacts of racism in Hampton Roads, she is dedicated to educating her community and giving them the tools that they need to fight against systemic racism.
Michelle Ellis Young is the CEO of the South Hampton Roads YWCA, and was recently recognized as Wavy News’ Remarkable Woman of the Year. She has been dedicated to helping organizations commit to diversity and inclusion and works as a community advocate to strengthen social movements that eliminate racism, empower women, and promote justice.
Dr. Shameka Gerald is a managing director at 2Revolutions and a proud Tidewater Community College alumna. She has over two decades of educational leadership experience and uses her voice to promote transformative changes to educational systems that will build young people up and contribute to the collective growth of her community.
Dr. Tiffanye Sledge is a professor of Sociology at Tidewater Community College. Her experience as an educator has allowed her to promote her strong ideals of inclusivity and united change in the classroom, as well as in her community.
Edward Fairley is a public speaker, author, podcast host, and founder of Know Love Inc, a relationship counseling firm. His experience as a relationship mentor has allowed him to understand the foundations of personal connections and how cultural factors can play a role in your day-to-day interactions.
Brian Owens is an entrepreneur dedicated to positively impacting his community by providing business owners with the technical assistance and support that they need in order to be successful. As a program manager at Black BRAND, he works to innovate and empower Black businesses in the Hampton Roads community by promoting group economics through professional development.
The members of the panel each brought their own expertise and insight to the conversation as they discussed the importances of unity and community in regards to Black labor. The two-hour panel gave speakers an opportunity to discuss Black labor in America in regards to needs of unity, collaborative support, and remembrance when it comes to creating a guide for individuals in the space to challenge systems and promote progressive ideas.