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Miles College Biology Club Hosts Inaugural Quilt Exhibition to Serve and Inspire Community
Regardless of color, design, texture, or condition, quilts hold significant meaning within the Black diaspora. Across diverse ethnicities, quilts symbolize enduring connections among individuals, from grandmothers to mothers, mothers to children, neighbors, and friends. On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, the Miles College Biology Club (MBC) hosted the inaugural event, Quilt Exhibition: Covering Those in Need with Creativity, Comfort, and Care, at the C.A. Kirkendoll Learning Resources Center (LRC) at Miles College.
Quilting occupies a powerful and sacred role in Black history. Beyond providing warmth and decoration, quilts have functioned as storytelling devices, historical records, economic resources, and symbols of resistance and resilience. During enslavement, quilts served as coded communication tools along the Underground Railroad. Throughout Reconstruction and the Jim Crow era, quilting circles offered spaces for fellowship, entrepreneurship, and cultural preservation among Black women. From the renowned artistry of Gee’s Bend to church quilting ministries across the South, quilting has consistently embodied creativity, care, and communal strength. This evening, we honor that legacy by engaging students in scientific endeavors to extend comfort and dignity to those in need.
The event was picturesque, bringing together community members, students, faculty, and staff across campus to enjoy the featured artwork, speakers, food, and music. If you were not present, you missed a dynamic event! This exhibition was not simply an event. It was coordination, collaboration, stewardship, and service. It was a vision translated into structure. It was creativity aligned with purpose.
First, on behalf of the MBC, we extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Bobbie Knight, whose leadership continues to set the standard for excellence at Miles College. Thank you for cultivating an environment where innovation and service thrive together. To our Provost, Dr. Tonya Perry, thank you for your steadfast support, for sacrificing your time, and for your belief in initiatives that elevate both scholarship and community engagement.
We thank our dynamic keynote speaker, Dr. Angela D. Williams, for her powerful and inspiring message. She reminded us that quilts represent more than fabric; they embody legacy, testimony, and hope, stitched together intentionally.
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We are grateful for the artistic expressions that enriched this evening. Thank you to Dr. Stallworth for the compelling spoken-word presentation, and to our student performers in the skit, Under the Quilt of God’s Grace (Tribute to Jesse Jackson), for grounding us in pride, resilience, and reflection.
We extend special thanks to Ms. Candice Hardy of the LRC for her consistent guidance and support throughout the planning and execution of this event. Excellence requires infrastructure, and her assistance was instrumental in its development. We also request that our gratitude be extended to her outstanding staff.
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We thank the artists who contributed their creative work and entrusted their pieces to us. Their contributions serve as a bridge to upcoming arts celebrations throughout the Birmingham area, extending the message of comfort and care to a broader community. Additionally, we express our gratitude to Dr. Esther Suswam and the students of the McNair Scholars Program for their partnership, and we anticipate expanding interdisciplinary collaborations across campus.
We thank the faculty and staff of Miles College, including Dr. Cunningham of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, as well as the faculty and student leadership of the Miles College Biology Club, Dr. Willis Lyons, Mrs. Margaret Ssenkoloto, Dr. Cassandra McCullum, Ms. Ashlei Blount, Ms. Takayla Brooks, Ms. Kyla Burns, Ms. Akiera Cannon, Ms. Aniya Erkskine, Ms. Mel’ Niya Lewis, Ms. Jasmine Little, Ms. Takeria Watkins, and Mr. Brendan Whitman, for their coordination efforts, financial contributions, time, and unwavering support.
Thank you to Ms. Sanders and Dr. Leon Parker of the Office of Student Affairs, Reverend Willis, Mr. Prevo, Chief Blackwell, and Miles College Public Safety for ensuring that this event was executed with care, coordination, and security.
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We also extend heartfelt thanks to Reverend Faush for establishing the funding mechanism that enabled our quilt donations. Because of your leadership and strategic insight, this initiative moved from idea to sustainable impact. And to the Miles College student body, our dedicated alumni, and the greater Birmingham community, thank you for showing up and standing with us in service.
