Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to announce the return of the Tea Time Speaker Series on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm with “Grito de Lares / Puerto Rican Independence” at the college’s Gardner campus.

September 23, 1868 marks Puerto Rico’s official declaration of independence from Spain, which led the island on the path to independence until the US invaded it in 1989. The “Grito de Lares” presentation will focus on the historic relationship between Puerto Rico/Puerto Ricans and the United States government and the ongoing struggle to end colonialism in Puerto Rico and within the mainland US.

Hosting the event will be Irene Hernandez, a longtime community activist with a background in social work. Hernandez is currently the program director at Active Life Adult Day Health Center. Prior to Active Life, Irene worked as the program coordinator for Fitchburg Community Connections Coalition and served for many years as the assistant to the former mayor of Fitchburg and served as a project manager for the Charles E. Shannon CSI Grant/Tri-City Anti-Gang Violence program for the cities of Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner.

The lecture will be given by David Thibault-Munoz. Thibault-Munoz has been an educator, organizer and activist for the past twenty years. He was an active member of the National Boricua Human Rights Network between 2000-2018 and taught Puerto Rican History 1898-present at the Dr. Pedro Albizu-Campos High School located in Chicago between 2002-2005. Between 2006-2018, David brought the play Crimes Against Humanity, depicting the lives and experience of Puerto Rican political prisoners to venues in Leominster, Worcester, Holyoke and Lawrence in order to bring light to the situations and cases of the remaining Puerto Rican political prisoners, and organized events surrounding Puerto Rican history and culture at many community venues in Fitchburg, MA, including two large events held at the Fitchburg Art Museum.

In addition to the lecture, the band Bomba de Aqui Bomba y Plena will perform traditional Afro-Puerto Rican dance and drumming.

This event is sponsored by the Gateway to College, the President’s Office at Mount Wachusett Community College, , , , the International Center for the Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion, and

Sharmese Gunn is the creator of the nationally recognized Tea Time Speaker Series.  The goal of the “Tea Time Speaker Series” is to create monthly dialogue that engages the college community and community members in conversations around diverse issues that are current in our community and society. Tea Time will reinforce cultural awareness within the college community, acknowledge differences, and create healthy dialogue around diverse conversations.

To register for this free event, visit the or on

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Join us as we celebrate Black History Month at Mount Wachusett Community College with the following programs.

Tea Time Speaker Series Presents: “Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the significant role they play in American History and Education.“

Monday, February 22nd from 12:30-2:00 pm. The nationally recognized Tea Time Speaker Series will present a panel focused on  “Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the significant role they play in American History and Education.”  During this panel, we will discuss culture, politics, and education and learn how do these prestigious colleges and universities thrive of student success.

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Team Presents: Social Code or Social Crisis: An Exploration of Bias, Prejudice and Microaggression

Tuesday, February 23rd from 2:00-3:00 pm. Mount Wachusett Community College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team will host Social Code or Social Crisis: An Exploration of Bias, Prejudice and Microaggression by Dr. Jodi Merriday.

Explore bias, prejudice, and microaggression using Hip-Hop/Rap music. Artists are discussed that use the N- and B- words to question how language with historical connotations used inside of groups can have positive and negative implications. The pros and cons of “codified” language and the ability of words to define communities are evaluated to assess how perception and alliances are impacted by Hip-Hop/Rap culture and music. Popular culture is used as a lens to unpack “difference” increase cultural literacy and engage students in critical thought. Sponsored by: Student Life Office at Mount Wachusett Community College.

International Center for the Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion Presents: “Exploring the behind the scenes look at the role Massachusetts played in the slave trade.“

Thursday, February 18 and Sunday, February 21 at 4:30 pm. International Center for the Promotion of Diversity and Inclusion will host a lecture series on “Exploring the behind the scenes look at the role Massachusetts played in the slave trade.” Follow the trails from western Africa, Brazil,  and the Caribbean by faculty member, Candace Shivers.

Racial Injustice: Start Here at LaChance Library

The Guide provides introductory resources and concepts for understanding racial injustice and discrimination.  The Guide presents information in a variety of diverse formats. From movies, graphic novels, podcasts, to biographies, articles and everything in between, the Guide offers several entry points to assist in moving these critical discussions forward.

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Join us for  “Leadership is Not a Title, It’s an Action” from award-winning speaker Erika Gilchrist on October 26, 2020.

Gilchrist, a 20 year veteran of the speaking circuit, is the author of over a dozen books, creator of the WTF – Women Thriving Fearlessly! Brand, and founder of the largest conference for women in business in the Chicago area – the Women Thriving Fearlessly Expo. Additionally, she has been featured as one of the “15 Most Powerful Women on the South Side of Chicago,” Chicago Woman Magazine, WCIU, CLTV, and Rolling Out Magazine. You can learn more about her on her website.

The “Leadership is Not a Title, It’s an Action” event is ideal for emerging leaders, starting them off with a strong foundation on which to build their strengths and authenticity. The virtual event will be held on Monday, October 26th from 12:30 until 2 PM. Students should go to to register, community members can

The ��Ԫ���� Tea Time Speaker Series fosters conversation among the college and the surrounding community around diverse issues current to our region and society. Tea Time events reinforce cultural awareness within the college community, acknowledge differences, and creates a healthy dialogue around diverse topics. The Tea Time Speaker Series is sponsored by Gateway to College and the President’s Office at Mount Wachusett Community College.

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