Long Beach City College (LBCC) will host a special event this Thursday, October 24 commemorating the late civil rights activist Dorothy Pitman Hughes’ historic visit to LBCC in 2019. The event will feature an art exhibit and raise funds for the “LBCC Helping Homeless Students” initiative.

“This week’s fundraiser provides us with an opportunity to honor Dorothy Pitman Hughes’ legacy of activism, while supporting our unhoused students, which has been a priority for the Board of Trustees for years,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “The combination of art, history, and community engagement truly reflects the spirit of LBCC and our ongoing mission to promote social equity.”

Originally planned as a two-hour speaking engagement at LBCC, Pitman Hughes’ historic visit grew into a three-day event that included classroom discussions, a signature “Talking Circle,” and visits to key locations around the city of Long Beach, including Los Cerritos Elementary School and the Michelle Obama Library. LBCC was the site of her final professional speaking appearance before she passed in 2022.

The fundraising event will feature 13 multimedia art submissions from LBCC students, reflecting the life and legacy of Pitman Hughes. Other items on display will be available for an opportunity drawing.

All proceeds will go to LBCC’s Helping Homeless Students Fundraising Group, an initiative under the LBCC Foundation dedicated to raising money specifically to support homeless and housing-insecure students. The group’s primary goal is to provide emergency grants to students and free goods through partnerships with local businesses and donors throughout the community, all of which help students remain enrolled in school by reducing the burdens caused by housing insecurity.

The event will take place on Thursday, October 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the T Building lobby (located just north of Lew Davis Street, west of Clark Avenue), at LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus, 4901 E. Carson St., Long Beach. Admission and refreshments are free.