Hickory – Catawba Valley Community College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will hold its 17th annual Black History Celebration Tues., Feb. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the college’s Tarlton Complex.
Ron Carson, coordinator of CVCC’s Minority Males on the Move initiative, will give the keynote address of “Better Together.” Carson works to improve the recruitment, retention and graduation of students, especially students from underserved populations. He leads the Student Ambassador Initiative and oversees operation of the Hawk’s Nest student food pantry. 
Carson is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University where he earned a bachelor of arts in sports management. Born and raised in Hickory, he graduated from Hickory High School. Carson enjoyed a 20-year career in the grocery industry as a sales representative for Merchants Distributor Inc., The Pillsbury Co., and Cross Mark.
He also served as a substitute teacher for the Hickory City Public School System.Lead Pastor of Covenant Christian Church in Newton N.C., he has served this ministry for the past nine years. He is a board member of Transformation Journey and a past board member of the Catawba County Council of Adolescence.
He and his wife Katie Stinson Carson have been married for 29 years and have one daughter, Katia. The CVCC Choral Ensemble, led by CVCC’s Director of Music Caroline Simyon, will provide musical entertainment. The event, including a meal, is free to the community. If you have a disability and need accommodations, contact CVCC’s Counselor for Students with Disabilities at least 72 hours in advance to allow time to arrange the services at 828-327-7000, ext. 4222, or [email protected].
The event is sponsored by BB&T, the CVCC Foundation, Inc. and CVCC. For more information about the, call 828-327-7000, ext. 4578, or www.cvcc.edu/savethedate.
