The University of New Mexico Department of Africana Studies “41st Annual Black History Month Kickoff Brunch” started Black History Month off strong, with the Student Union Building full of smells, sounds and an electrifying sense of community that could be felt as soon as one entered the ballroom.
The Saturday, Jan. 31 brunch started off with attendees and speakers singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by James Weldon Johnson; a hymn first written in 1900 and adopted as a rallying cry during the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s.
The afternoon began with brief messages from UNM students and Mr. and Ms. UNM Afro, Jayden Charter and Judie Oyinatumba, as well as a quick introduction from Albuquerque’s first African American City Council member, District Six’s Nichole Rogers.
The Department of Africana Studies Chair Kirsten Buick gave the first major speech, where she spoke about the importance of Black History Month and preserving Black History monuments and artifacts.
“Journalists are being killed, monuments are being destroyed and Black history is trying to be erased all over the country,” Buick said. “This country has never felt more like home than right now, especially for people of color, and gender queer people.”
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodríguez was the second speaker of the afternoon with stories of Black history in New Mexico. One story she told was of the Buffalo Soldiers stationed throughout New Mexico during the 19th century, whose job was to defend settlers while facing prejudice and discrimination.
The final speech was given by Rogers, who spoke on what being Black meant to her, as well as sharing insightful quotes she learned and remembered from her family growing up.
Rogers also spoke about her philosophies in government, and how she is a strong believer in servant leadership and participatory change; essentially meaning that power exists to serve the public and that those who are most affected by policy should be the ones deciding it.
“I’m really excited for the mentorship program that we’re launching right now, we have funding available for folks providing mentorship in District Six,” Rogers said. “We’ve also got an ambitious bill coming up about vacancies and working on vacancies on the Central Avenue corridor.”
The brunch ended with a pop quiz on influential members of Black history including Rosa Parks, Bob Marley, Toni Morrison and LeBron James.
Camillo Cretara is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
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