As part of CCP’s 40th Annual International Festival, a contest encouraged to submit essays that embodied the theme of Building Bridges Across the Globe and spoke directly to their own personal experiences as international students.

Abdullo’s essay, "Bridges' and 'Walls' in Tajikfilm," examined the debate about the impact of Hollywood movies on the moral of Tajik society. Abdullo is an Accounting student at CCP, working toward a degree and career change so he can better support his family. Before immigrating to the United States, Abdullo worked as a journalist in Tajikistan, which is part of the reason he was interested in participating in the essay contest. “Winning this contest brought back a part of myself that I thought I had left behind,” Abdullo said. “It reminded me of my passion for writing and gave me hope and motivation for the future.”

Abdullo’s essay discusses the cultural debate in Tajikistan about the influence that Hollywood films have on Tajik films. It explores the tension between preserving national values and embracing global ideas. The piece also examines how censorship in film can build “walls” and alienate certain ideas and practices, while global storytelling can build bridges between cultures.

Abdullo is so glad that his professor, Mary Scholl, encouraged him to submit his essay for the contest. “Her belief in me gave me the confidence to participate,” he said. When Abdullo learned he was the contest winner, he was filled with emotion. “As an immigrant starting over in a new country, this achievement reminded me that I still have something valuable to offer,” he said. “It helped restore my self-belief and gave me renewed confidence and motivation.”

CCP’s Annual International Festival is meant to bring the College community together to celebrate different cultures and learn from one another. The essay contest is just one part of a multiday event that aims to educate and inspire. “[The festival] showed me how powerful writing and storytelling can be in building understanding between people,” Abdullo said. “I was proud to be part of an event that brings people together through culture and ideas.”

The winner was announced at the International Festival Luncheon, "Cuisine from Around the World," on April 2, 2025. Congratulations to Abdullo on this wonderful accomplishment!

Community College of Philadelphia hosted a daylong symposium on May 13, 2025, an annual day of reflection and commitment declared by the Philadelphia City Council, that brought together members of the community to reflect on the 40th anniversary of the 1985 MOVE bombing. The event gave space for scholars, journalists, artists, activists and cultural leaders from throughout Philadelphia to engage with questions of commemoration and collective understanding.

The day opened with an introduction from Councilwoman Jamie Gauthier, who represents West and Southwest Philadelphia as the City Councilmember for the Third District. Then programming kicked off with a panel discussion titled, “First Draft of Memory,” featuring four journalists who reported on the MOVE bombing in 1985, moderated by Ernest Owens, an award-winning journalist and adjunct instructor at CCP. During this session, panelists Barbara Grant, Larry Eichel, Larry Litwin and Pete Kane shared their respective stories and experiences from May 13, 1985. Barbara, Larry Litwin and Pete all reported live during the event, some of them having to seek shelter under their news vans to avoid shots being fired prior to the bombing itself. Barbara recalled police, “systematically [moving] the reporters back so that [they] couldn’t see what was really going on at Osage avenue.” The panel discussion also covered what the media landscape looked like in Philadelphia at the time of the bombing.

The second panel, “Gatekeepers of Memory,” was moderated by David Brown, associate professor and assistant dean for Community and Communication, Klein College, Temple University, and included Josué Hurtado, coordinator, Public Services and Outreach for the Special Collections Research Center at Temple; Dr. Krystal Strong, assistant professor of Black Studies in Education, Rutgers University–New Brunswick; Brother Shomari, activist and educator; and Jason Osder, associate professor, School of Media and Public Affairs, The George Washington University. This discussion centered around storytelling, story sharing, and the ethics and biases around archival work. Panelists talked about the word “gatekeeper” and how it could infer limiting information instead of making materials accessible to all; and they discussed how technology is changing how stories are told, who tells them, and how they are recorded. During the panel, Dr. Krystal Strong posed the powerful question, “How do we tell an authentic story, one that tells the story of the people that were murdered by the state? How do we do that if the only records that are at our disposal are the ones of the state that did it?”

The event’s keynote speaker, Mike Africa Jr., engaged the audience in a call and response activity where he clapped in rhythm followed by the audience chanting, “hard work.” Mike is the author of On a Move and star of the HBO documentary, “40 Years a Prisoner.” Mike was born in a jail cell and freed his innocent parents, Mike and Debbie Africa, from 40 years of incarceration. Mike was joined on stage for a portion of the talk by his father-in-law, Mo Africa. Both Mike and Mo spoke to the importance of remembering how this event effects every Philadelphian and every American, and how essential the fight for justice is in this country.

The final panel of the day, “Siting/Sighting Memory,” was moderated by Monica O. Montgomery, founder and president of DiasporaDNA Story Center, and included panelists Karen Falcon, principal of the Jubilee School; Dr. Ashley Jordan, president and CEO, African American Museum; and Dr. Kerry Sautner, president and CEO, Eastern State Penitentiary. The closing panel discussed how interpretive spaces engage questions of memory and meaning-making—and what their responsibilities are in shaping public understanding of the past. Their conversation centered around commemorating challenging moments in history and the necessity to make these events known so a better future can exist. Karen Falcon was joined on the panel by a student of hers who worked with a group of his peers to apply for and secure a historical marker at the site of the MOVE bombing.

The day wrapped up with the insights and ideas of Rev. Jacqueline (Jackie) Newsome, Esq., a preacher, attorney, and organizer committed to fighting for the freedoms of guilty people. Rev. Jackie Newsome urged the audience to consider ways in which everyone can help repair, rework and protect their communities to extinguish future atrocities like the MOVE bombing and to build a better world for all.

This symposium was organized by CCP’s vice president for Enrollment Management and Strategic Communications, Dr. Shannon Rooney and her colleague, Dr. Abigail Perkiss, a professor of History at Kean University. In addition to this event, the College also hosted the “40 Years: MOVE Activist Archive Exhibit,” at the Library and Learning Commons. The exhibit grappled with the events leading up to the tragic bombing, its aftermath and the ongoing fight for the truth and justice. The exhibit was curated by Mike Africa Jr. and Dr. Krystal Strong.

The CCP Artist in Residence program is a project based out of Spring Garden Records and the CCP Music department. The residency is meant to give students and the greater community a direct connection to musicians practicing in the field. Each year, the artist is asked to participate in two public events in both the fall and spring semesters, and record an album with Spring Garden Records. Residents are also encouraged to include students in these and other smaller events and activities, enabling them to share knowledge and experiences with aspiring musicians.

“Spring Garden Records is an experiential learning platform for our students,” said Paul Geissinger, Music department head. “And one of the key drivers of why we do [the residency] in the first place is so that the students have real world experience and real-world credits when they graduate from CCP.”

Christopher Michael Stevens, the 2024–2025 artist, did exactly that and more. In addition to the performances and album recording, Christopher also hosted a film scoring workshop, participated in a handful of CCP ensemble performances, hosted a music production workshop and participated in a touring artist panel discussion.

All of these activities brought a new perspective on the music industry to students. And for Christopher, it was inspiring to watch how students grew and evolved. “There were some [students] that I met that were like kind of shy, you know,” Christopher said. “But beyond that shy exterior is like this brilliance, and to watch it come alive and then ... just to watch them blossom is really inspiring because I'm like, ‘Man, that's what we're supposed to do in the world.’”

Though Christopher hadn’t really worked in an educational role before, the concepts of teaching and sharing knowledge seemed to come naturally to him. “I've just really enjoyed the overall kind of learning environment and watching everybody in their different capacities,” he said.

Paul echoed Christopher’s natural ability to connect and engage. “I would say that Chris is a very good communicator and very strong at answering questions about his career and giving solid advice to those who are inquiring about what their next steps are in their career,” Paul said. “And his willingness to just dive in and get more immersed in what's happening in the department and at Spring Garden Records, you know, he doesn't have do to that.”

As for what’s next for Christopher, he is wrapping up the album he recorded with Spring Garden Records and then heading on tour with John Legend, which he’s been doing for the last 10 or so years. After that, he hopes to take his own album on tour; “From Then till Now” will be released this summer.

And up next for Spring Garden Records is finding a 2025–2026 Artist in Residence. Interested artists are invited to apply online by the May 31 deadline.    

This month, Community College of Philadelphia announced that two students were awarded the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, a prestigious award that provides last dollar funding to community college students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. In recent memory, this is the first time that CCP has had two students chosen for this opportunity in a single year. Kamal Rhodes and Olivia Schade were recently surprised with the news, congratulated by their faculty, staff, friends and of course, Roary.

Kamal is pursuing a degree in Architecture at CCP and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK). He is also the recipient of the Hayward L. Bell and the Joseph and Marie Field Foundation Opportunity scholarships, in addition to now being a Cooke Scholar. Kamal plans to transfer to Temple University to continue studying architecture. He is particularly interested in enrolling in their accelerated 4+2 Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and Master of Architecture dual degree program so he can move quickly to graduate with a master’s degree. Kamal’s long-term goal is to become a licensed architect and to eventually own an architecture firm of his own, using his knowledge to invest in real estate development opportunities. In addition, Kamal owns a catering business, BBQ Clubhouse, which he founded during the pandemic after learning the trade from his father.

"I’m living proof that there’s nothing God won’t do for you when you stay focused and locked in on your goals,” Kamal said. “Your dreams are worth fighting for.”

There was a time in Kamal’s life when he had to put a pause on his education. Kamal became a father at a young age and was forced to focus on working and providing for his family. “No matter where you are in life, it’s never too late to go back and get your education—especially when amazing organizations like The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and CCP are there to support your journey." Today, Kamal is so proud of investing in his and his family’s future by starting his higher education pathway at CCP.

Olivia studied Biology and is proud to be the recipient of the Muriel Shapp Excellence in Biology Award and the American Association of University Women-Landsdale Branch Scholarship, in addition to now being named a Cooke Scholar. She also participated in the competitive Bucknell Community College Scholars Program, which provides for select CCP students to take part in a free, six-week residential program at Bucknell University during the summer and ultimately receive financial and administrative support to earn a bachelor’s degree at Bucknell if they choose to do so. Olivia plans to transfer to a four-year institution this fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Neuroscience. Her long-term goal is to work in the medical field. She hopes to eventually attend medical school or study to become a physician assistant once she receives her bachelor’s degree.

“I feel incredibly appreciative for the opportunity, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and the Community College of Philadelphia,” Olivia said. “I am eager to continue furthering my education and becoming the best version of myself, with the blessing of this scholarship.”

CCP is so proud to have been a part of both Kamal’s and Olivia’s educational journey. This scholarship opportunity is one of the most competitive in the country, and Kamal and Olivia are both so deserving. Join us in celebrating their wonderful achievements.