Enough Is Enough

Enough Is Enough

Message to the College Community

Dr. GeneralsDear faculty, staff and students:

Community College of Philadelphia is committed to the development of a campus environment that welcomes, celebrates and promotes respect for all. In our commitment to build a more inclusive campus community—one that understands, accepts and embraces the value of diversity among students, faculty and staff—we seek to include knowledge and values from many cultures through comprehensive and broad initiatives. As the city's College, we must continue to create environments where Philadelphians can come together with both experts and peers to hold dialogue about systemic racial inequity. 

In fulfilling this commitment, we have created the Enough is Enough Teach-in Series. This series seeks to eliminate discrimination and promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the College community. The series works toward creating an environment that understands and values diversity. From recommended strategies, methods of prevention, applied practices and a direct call to action, we are educating and demanding justice while learning how we can hold our leaders accountable.  

Enough is Enough began as a four-part series created in direct response to the atrocities and civil unrest in our communities that occurred immediately following the death of Mr. George Floyd in May 2020. It was our goal to create a safe space for people to receive valuable information and hear firsthand assessments of systemic racism. Topics focused on police reform, privilege vs. injustice, the transgender community and allyship. The series has grown tremendously, reaching more than 4,000 people and receiving positive media attention. This resourceful website includes recommended readings, a video library, and information about past and upcoming sessions. It has transitioned into a full College-wide initiative that supports the College’s goals of being an institution that champions diversity and equity across every facet of the College. 

We strive to exhibit a sense of community and solidarity that includes impartiality among all systems and institutions we encounter. Solidarity is not sympathy; it is a conscious decision to effect change. Since May 2020, we've seen small bouts of justice for those like George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, but the fight continues. We understand the work does not end here. We still recognize the need to educate and deescalate situations where we see the trepidations of racism. In 2022, we will be adding a sixth pillar to the College’s Strategic Plan. For many years, innovative work in this area has taken place throughout the College community, however, adding this pillar to the Strategic Plan signals the College’s uncompromising commitment to diversity, equitable outcomes and inclusion. This pillar will seek to address ways we can equitably grow and impact the work taking place throughout the College and the city at large.  

We stand to eradicate racial discrimination, callousness, xenophobia, myopic thinking and unwarranted hatred. Through this series and all of our DEI initiatives, we will continue to amplify our voices as we remember and say the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray and far too many others on this appalling list of the murder victims of racism. None of us can breathe until we are all allowed to breathe freely from the horrors of racism.  

Community College of Philadelphia stands in continued solidarity with you. 
 

Sincerely,

Donald Guy Generals, Ed.D.
President

 

I Stand in Solidarity
 
 
 

 

Enough Is Enough Teach-in Series

Access to Fair Housing

April is National Fair Housing Month. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination in housing.

At Community College of Philadelphia, we work hard to make housing and related resources accessible to students, faculty and staff year-round. In 2021, the College partnered with the Philadelphia Housing Authority to provide low-cost housing for students, with a focus on students with experience in the foster care system. The Shared Housing Program provides housing on North 10th and 11th streets, less than a mile away from Main Campus.

Anthony KeenanStudent and Student Government Association (SGA) Senator for the West Regional Center, Anthony Keenan, moved to Philadelphia in 2020. Everything was going well until an unexpected health issue had arisen. Facing reduced work hours and income, Anthony was living in a homeless shelter on their first-year anniversary in Philadelphia. The College's SGA advisors connected Anthony with the College's Shared Housing Program team, and Anthony was able to move into low-cost housing provided by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. "This program has greatly impacted my life by giving me stability and shelter when I needed it the most. My involvement in this program has allowed me to regain my focus on my academic and career goals. My year two anniversary of being a Philadelphia resident was celebrated with me being in my own place."

Resources related to housing insecurity, legal assistance, and more are also available.

 

In The Media