In Honor of Black History Month
SBCC to host discussion with Black History Month featured author
In honor of Black History Month, SBCC Interim Superintendent/President Dr. Kindred
Murillo invites the community to a virtual event, Feb. 28, 12:30-1:30 p.m., when Dr.
Helen Benjamin and Rev. Larry D. Smith discuss the new book “How We Got Over: Growing
Up in the Segregated South.” Edited by Dr. Benjamin and 23 of her fellow graduates
of Peabody High School Class of 1968, the book is a series of vignettes capturing
the Black experience of childhood and teen years in mid-20th century Alexandria, Louisiana
and the surrounding areas. The stories told reflect the different life experiences
of the 24 graduates living with the racial, social, and economic injustices present
in an entrenched Jim Crow society of the 50s and 60s.
Tune in to hear the conversation via Zoom (https://bit.ly/3Hg5WNY). Audience Q&A will follow.
Dr. Benjamin and Rev. Smith have known each other since third grade. They both graduated
from Peabody High School in Alexandria, Louisiana, in 1968. Their paths diverged after
high school but they connected again in 2020 along with 22 of their fellow 1968 graduates
in the writing of their personal narratives which appear in “How We Got Over: Growing
up in the Segregated South.” They both credit their parents, a caring community and
excellent teachers for their strong interest in academics and civic affairs.
Dr. Benjamin served as Interim Superintendent/President of SBCC for nine months in
2019 and six weeks in 2021. She currently serves as a community college consultant
in board and management development, strategic planning, and governance. Her distinguished
career in education began as a classroom teacher in Dallas, Texas. In 2016, capping
off a 44-year career in secondary and higher education, Dr. Benjamin retired as chancellor
of the Contra Costa Community College District. Dr. Benjamin was the first African-American
and first woman to serve in a permanent role as chancellor of the Contra Costa Community
College District, a position she held for over 11 years.
Dr. Benjamin served as president of the California Community Colleges CEOs, as president
of the board of the Community College League of California and as chair of the California
Promise Leadership Team. She holds the distinction of being the first community college
representative appointed by Congress to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial
Assistance. She served with distinction as convener of the Presidents’ Round Table
of Community College African American CEOs and on the Board of Directors of the American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC). In April 2019, she received AACC’s Leadership
Award.
She is co-author of “Harvest from the Vineyard: Lessons Learned from the Vineyard
Symposiums” (2016) and a co-editor and contributor to “The Chocolate Truth: An Anthology
of Perspectives from Community College CEOs” (2012). She was among 20 community college
CEOS from throughout the country to participate in the first White House Summit on
community colleges held by President Barack Obama.
Rev. Smith attended Southern University in Baton Rouge where he received a bachelor’s
degree in Secondary Education and a Master of Arts degree in Black Studies (1973).
He pursued further specialized study in criminal justice at the University of Miami,
Colorado State University and San Diego State University. He studied public policy
at Miami of Ohio and Christian Ministry at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Rev. Smith is a retired civil servant, having served the State of Louisiana through
the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for 37 years. He was the first and
only African American to serve as warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary (Angola).
Over his career span, he has received three gubernatorial appointments, numerous awards
and was one of the highest-ranking civil servants in his field.
Always trying to give back to the community, Rev. Smith has been involved in a host
of community programs; however, he is most proud of his involvement with 100 Black
Men of Metro Baton Rouge. Rev. Smith served as pastor of historic Rose of Sharon Missionary
Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana, for 21 years. He retired in 2020, and in
2021 was elevated to the position of Pastor Emeritus.