Shaw University Cancels SNCC60 Celebration Due to COVID-19 Concerns
Planned week of events had included appearances by nationally recognized civic/social leaders, activists, journalists
Raleigh, NC — (March 17, 2020) – – Shaw University today announced that, as part of its comprehensive COVID-19 response, they have canceled the week-long observance of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC. “The Spirit of SNCC: Beyond 2020” was scheduled to take place March 30 – April 4, 2020, on Shaw’s campus, where SNCC was founded in 1960.
“While we are profoundly disappointed to have to cancel the SNCC60 celebration, our foremost concern is always the safety and wellbeing of the Shaw University community,” said Dr. Paulette Dillard, president of Shaw University. “We also believe that the spirit of SNCC will live on through the dedication and the work of those who believe in justice and access to opportunity for all.”
Key events for the week had included:
- A “watch party” for Shaw Rising, a documentary on the history and impact of Shaw University
- An artistic tribute featuring excerpts of the film Freedom Song, performances of songs from the civil rights movement and spoken word performance
- Young Leaders Town Hall discussion of civil and social justice moderated by CNN political analyst Bakari Sellers
- SNCC60 Legacy Banquet featuring “A Conversation with” House Majority Whip, Rep. Jim Clyburn and Dr. David C. Forbes, Sr., founding member of SNCC.
For more information on Shaw University’s comprehensive response to COVID-19, go to https://www.shawu.edu/COVID-19/.
