Ahmad Lewis

Ahmad Lewis made a convincing case for the value of a community college education when he spoke at today's rally. After storybook success as a rapper, including a gold album at the age of 17, he went back to school at Long Beach City College, graduated in 2008 as a valedictorian, and transferred to Stanford.

And he's willing to share his secret of academic success:

"You know how you get into Stanford? You turn in that one paper due tomorrow on time."

From South Central L.A. to Stanford
Video by John Ayers

President Perfumo Welcomes Students

Paulette Perfumo, President of Pasadena City College

Video by John Ayers

Protest or Celebration?

Today's rally was originally intended as a protest against planned cuts in community college funding, but last week the state legislature, in a rather unusual move, passed next year's budget several months early, and it is surprisingly generous to community colleges given the cuts being made in other areas.

In a quick about-face, the rally became a celebration of community colleges and a thank you to the state for having recognized the contribution community colleges can make to California's economic recovery.

Speakers nonetheless mentioned economic hardships their schools continue to suffer, and a group of students from West Los Angeles College interrupted Dat Phan's routine with the chant, "They say 'cut back,' we say 'fight back!'"

They later expressed concerned that the budget, which seems like a good deal for community colleges now, will be revised in May. That's the month in which the governor usually presents revisions to the proposal he's required to present to the legislature in January. It's also the month voters will either approve or disapprove of the state's plan to borrow against lottery monies.

We Need More Funding

Paulette Perfumo, president of Pasadena City College, told the Hornet that today’s rally is meant to hammer home the message that community colleges can make an important contribution to solving California’s financial woes.

“We are the key to economic recovery,” she said.

“There is soaring unemployment, and those people are coming to us for retraining. While we were glad the cuts weren’t deeper, there were cuts and at a time of soaring enrollment, we need more funding.”

--Chris Haire

Welcome to the Hornet's Coverage of "We Are the Key"

Comedian Dat Phan will entertain students from southern California colleges at a rally at Pasadena City College this Friday from 10 a.m. to noon.

The rally is the brainchild of the Community Colleges Public Relations Organization which wants to put out the message that community colleges are the key to California's economic recovery.

"This is a celebration of what we do," said Juan Gutierrez, director of public relations at Pasadena City College, which is hosting the event.

Students will gather in the mirror pool area. Attend the rally at 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., or follow the rally here.