PIQUA — The Diversity Committee at Edison State Community College is honoring Black History Month with a special evening that focuses on unity. Offered free of charge, the event will be held on Monday, Feb. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Robinson Theater of the Piqua campus.

The event will begin with a social hour and will include performances from African and gospel dance groups, musicians, poetry readings, trivia, and a special keynote address from Elizabeth “Liz” Stafford titled, “Unity For All People.”

Stafford began her career as the first African-American female to teach health and physical education, including swimming, in the state of Ohio. In 1977, she joined the teaching staff at Piqua’s Bennett Junior High School, where she taught eighth-grade language arts and social studies for 15 years.

Outside of teaching, Stafford’s passion for helping youth led to founding a youth program called NUBIA (New Union of Blacks Improving America) and starting a clothing business, which she used to help students with self-esteem issues. Today, Stafford is a committed member and one of the founders of New Life Baptist Church in Troy.

For more information, contact Marva Archibald, Diversity Committee chairperson, by calling 937-778-7908 or emailing [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.