Commitment to a Diverse Community

Commitment to a Diverse Community
2020–2021 ANNUAL REPORT
 

In the spring, Parx Casino and the Community College of Philadelphia Foundation renewed their diversity and inclusion partnership. Over the next three years, Parx Casino will continue to support College programming for traditionally underserved students through a generous $144,000 donation. Programs benefitting from this partnership include: the Center for Male Engagement; the Women’s Outreach and Advocacy Center; the Veterans Resource Center; the MarcDavid LGBTQ Center; the Center on Disability; and the Office of Collegiate Recovery.

“Parx Casino is thrilled to continue our partnership with Community College of Philadelphia and its important diversity, inclusion and equity initiative.”

Ron Davis, M.ED., Parx Casino Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Community Outreach



 

STUDENT MAKES THE MOST OF HIS SECOND CHANCE WITH SUPPORT FROM THE CENTER FOR MALE ENGAGEMENT

Leroy Brown

A second chance.

That’s what Leroy Brown, a Black Studies major, found in the Center for Male Engagement (CME) as a young Black male.

Leroy is expected to complete his degree program in fall 2021 and largely credits this accomplishment to the CME, a program that he calls “a mecca for young Black men, navigating life and higher education.”

Leroy was certain that transferring to a community college would be a walk in the park, “But it hit me like a ton of bricks when I failed my first semester.”

Feeling defeated and hopeless, support coach Patrick Robinson introduced Leroy to CME, and the constant support throughout the next semester helped Leroy finish with a 3.8 GPA.

“I love everything about this program; they have done so much for me,” Leroy said. “CME kept me on a narrow path to getting my associate degree. It was the discipline factor to block the distractions.”

 

Black Scholars Mentorship Program

The College established the Black Scholars Mentorship Program to help first generation Black students successfully navigate through college. The program not only made a difference in retention for Black students, but it also showed them the College community is committed to their well-being. Along with invaluable mentorship, the program also provides scholarships for students in need.

“This program has been so beneficial to me with how to navigate my first semester of college and make it successful. My mentor has gone over and beyond to encourage, assist and help me with everything. And the generous support has propelled me one step closer to attaining my goals.”

- Renae | Black Scholars Mentorship Program mentee and scholarship recipient