40, 14, 4

It's business as usual. After the disappointing election results, I opened an encouraging email and read that, despite Tuesday's outcome, we must continue. We don't have time to fuss and pout; we must use our resources to advance work in service to and in collaboration with vulnerable populations.

The climate will change in the US. Regardless of the propaganda promoted by the incoming administration, global warming is real. Political and social landscapes will also evolve under Trump's hands, but we must use our shovels to uncover solutions to the problems ahead.

Since you're in the headspace of repeat, we'll return to this introduction near the end of this blog post. 

If you’re like many, you need to be made aware of significant events, groups, and individuals in this area of the US. You may know that Colorado was one of the few states where VP Harris won the electoral college's vote.

I didn't know much about Fort Collins until I received an invitation to interview for a position as the Director of the Black/African American Culture Center at Colorado State University. To prepare, I read about the campus community and the contributions of Black people to freedom movements, the entertainment industry, businesses, and schools. My findings inspired a poem I shared with students, staff, and faculty in an open forum.

After learning of the voting results, I revised it to what follows:

Approximately 40 Black Students in the 1960s is where it began.

Yup, years after Grafton St. Clair Norman, the school's first black student, planted his feet in the soil of the then Colorado Agricultural College.

Hunger for knowledge of self

Thirsty for better housing options

Starving for improved campus conditions led 40 to protests.

They wanted resources for success

A celebration of their identities

Curricula rich with their histories

Unities between the Black Student Alliance and

the Mexican American Committee for Equality formed coalitions.

They expressed solidarity with the 14 Wyoming Cowboy football players removed for challenging the exclusion of Black pastors in the Mormon church.

Jesus Save Us

Through demonstrations at basketball games in the Moby Arena

Colorado State University Students scored Project GO to

Generate Opportunities for student-athletes and others of color.

One thing led to another and the Black African American Culture Center was born.

Vivian Kerr's became the parent of leadership and she worked for

4 relationships with students, for Black Students at Fort Collins,

She created the Griot, a newsletter to share their stories

And document the office's contributions to campus

In the 80s, we saw Dawn Person and Blanche Hughes

Move through the pews to create campus ministries, award ceremonies,

cultural programs and soul food chats.

Between collard greens, yams, fo shos, and what's happen-ins,  we honored each other

And connected in the 90s through musical soundtracks of

Kriss Kross, TLC, and Tupac, while Bruce Smail expanded the MLK March across campus.

In 2000, we stepped forward and admired how Dr. Molock lit MATCHES through the

Mentoring, Advising, Teaching, Caring and Helping initiative.

FIYA. FIRE. It is, indeed, The Fire Next Time, James Baldwin

Molock also created the Honoring Our Own Pillar of Excellence Award,

The Rites of Passage Program, and a haven for Black frats and sororities in the culture center.

The fight for justice continues for,

4 Black girls who became women like Kamala Harris and continue to dream for their turn as President

4 children like the 4 Black Girls killed in Alabama in 1963

We will not forget Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley,

and Addie Mae Collins.

No, not here in Fort Collins.

We will remember these 4, along with the 40, 14, and

Every Ancestor who came and left before.

After reading a draft of the poem, 40,14, 4, I answered questions about how I would lead the center in the current political climate. I responded while imagining the nuances of challenges for diversity centers on college campuses under Kamala Harris as President of the United States. With Trump confirmed, my resolve to be an agent for social justice has intensified.

Use poetry, art, athleticism, culinary skills, organizing abilities, or whatever talents, platforms, and skills we possess to create awareness and inspire actions to address inequities. The struggle continues, and we must maintain commitments to liberating individuals and institutions in oppressed communities.

Watch this month's vlog episode below and gain inspiration to pursue positive possibilities during a difficult season. We will get through this together.