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SEASON 1, EPISODE 4 |
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The CAAAS Conversations with Reiland Rabaka: A Video Podcast |
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Karia White, originally from New Jersey, now based out of the Boulder and Denver, Colorado area is a student, organizer, activist, poet, artist and steward of resistance and reclamation of space. She has helped to initiate, lead and found some of the University's prolific art spaces such as Shades of Honey, an open mic space that gave space, place, voice to the Black, Brown and Indigenous Community on CU Boulder’s campus. Shades of Honey, now affectionately dubbed “Shades” has now blossomed into the community and carries the responsibility of holding the long legacy of many other Black artistic movements, specifically centered around poetry. Karia is one of the student co-founders of the Center for African & African American Studies (CAAAS).
Ruth Woldemichael, raised in Denver, Colorado as a first-generation student with both parents hailing from Tigray, Ethiopia, is a student, organizer, poet, and storyteller. She is a 2021 recipient of the Black Voices for Black Justice Fund alongside Olivia Gardener for their work around transformative activism, centering police divestment and resource allocation. Ruth is a published writer; her first personal essay, “Fighting to Survive and Thrive”, was published in the November 2020 issue of the Coloradan Alumni Magazine. Ruth is one of the student co-founders of the Center for African & African American Studies (CAAAS).
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What's happening in the CAAAS? |
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University of Colorado Boulder Faculty and Staff there is still time to register to attend Black Graduation 2022, which will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022, 1-4pm. Please register by May 6, 2022 at 5 PM.
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Congratulations Class of 2022! |
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“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela
We are excited to be celebrating all of our 2022 graduates of African descent from the University of Colorado Boulder. Let us recognize that 110 years ago, Charles Durham Campbell, the first Black male undergraduate, and 104 years ago, Lucile Berkeley Buchanan, the first Black female undergraduate, earned their degrees from CU Boulder. You stand on their mighty shoulders.
Although we have come a long way from 1912 and 1918, we know that this journey was not easy. Look at all that you all have accomplished during your time here. Take this time to celebrate your brilliance and honor the community that helped you get to this momentous occasion. We will miss you on campus, but you will always have a place in the CAAAS (Center for African & African American Studies). Please see the list of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students that will be recognized at Black Graduation 2022.
**This list is not exhaustive of all graduates of African descent.
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Recognizing Our Graduates |
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Undergraduate, College of Engineering & Applied Science |
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Beka Admasu |
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If you stop being Active you stop being Active! Free Ddawg
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Halima Afrah |
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Computational Mathematics major & Sociology minor
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Amel Attalla |
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Sudanese native, Fort Collins born, grew up in big-city Dubai, but came back to Colorado to get my bachelor's in Integrative Physiology. Hopefully moving on to a masters degree in Public Health in the near future!
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Zen Auguiste |
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Zen is graduating with double majors in International Affairs and Psychology. Over the summer she will be traveling to Tanzania and getting ready for her upcoming move to Washington, D.C. where she will work and then pursue a Masters's Degree in Clinical Social Work the following year.
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Undergraduate, College of Engineering & Applied Science |
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Mickis Brown |
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Following graduation, I will be going into industry as a software engineer. Further in the future, I would like the explore the idea of owning a business/businesses.
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Undergraduate, Leeds School of Business |
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Nebyat Demessie |
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I am a first-generation college student and Ethiopian immigrant graduating this May from Leeds School of Business with a degree in Business administration with a dual emphasis in Finance and Marketing.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Alannah Gregory |
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I am a chemistry major with a minor in art. I love CU Boulder and the culture that comes with it. I am a proud second-generation immigrant from Thailand and hope to go to medical school when I graduate.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Sara Hagos |
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Sara is a first-generation graduate who earned her degree in Political Science with a minor in Ethnic Studies.
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Masters, Graduate School |
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Eriana Henderson |
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Eriana Henderson currently serves as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Associate within CU Athletics. Henderson graduated from CU Boulder with a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology and is currently finishing a masters in Organizational Leadership. Every family has their thing, for some it is academia other’s it is theatre and arts, but for her family it was sports. Henderson began participating in track and field when she was just five years old, following in the footsteps of her older sister. Track and field afforded her experiences and accomplishments that last a lifetime like, such as becoming a NCAA All-American and Olympic Trials Competitor while also exposing her voice and identity outside of athletics. Growing up in a women dominated household and being black in America along with other intersections, Henderson’s passion to use her voice to shed light and share the stories of other marginalized and underrepresented peoples has pushed her to marry her love for sport and passion for injustice. She aims to attain a leadership role in Intercollegiate Athletics where Diversity Equity & Inclusion is embedded into everything she does with hopes to provide an inclusive culture where student-athletes and staff can flourish athletically, academically, and personally.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences & School of Education |
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Feben Kassahun |
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I was born in Addis Abeba Ethiopia. I grew up in Aurora, Colorado. I went to school for integrative physiology. I will be pursuing my passion of becoming a pediatric nurse.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Ite Lobung |
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I am a first generation college graduate, first generation immigrant from South Sudan, and a proud CU buff.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Ricardo Martinez |
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If you follow your dreams, you are capable of anything!
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Esther Omegba |
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Esther is graduating from CU with distinction and a major in Political Science and a minor Theatre. After transferring to CU in the fall of 2020, Esther realized that life is too short to not follow your dreams, which led to her picking up a Theatre minor. She plans on using the acting and writing skills she learned at CU to help her in pursuing a career in acting and playwriting after graduation. Of all the things she has accomplished in her years at CU, the three that she is proudest of are: making it on the deans-list every semester of her CU career; becoming a finalist at CU's annual New Play Festival, which led her to becoming the first ever CU student to be chosen by Local Theatre Company to be a playwright in their Local Lab Festival; and, becoming the Student Program Vice Chair of the Conference on World Affairs, which is an annual conference at CU that brings Nobel Laureates, Grammy award winning artists, Fortune 500 CEO's and many other notable individuals together to speak on a plethora of topics impacting the world. Esther wishes she had spent more time at CU, but knows that her entire college career and life can only be summed up in one phrase: God's plan. So, she takes the experiences she's had, the friends she has been lucky enough to meet, and the opportunities she has been blessed with, and regards them with great love and immeasurable appreciation. She thanks every professor and faculty member that has aided her along the way, and gives a great shout out to her loving parents who are her #1 fans and biggest cheerleaders. She can't wait for the next chapter of her life to begin.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Anika Ralston |
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Throughout her four year at CU, Anika has been a core member of the CU Women's Club Soccer team serving as the Vice President her last year. Anika is an aspiring educator and is excited to continue to learn and grow by continuing her education in the future.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences & Leeds School of Business |
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Helina Seyoum |
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I am a first-generation college graduate with a degree in Integrative Physiology and a Business minor!! My goal is to pursue a career in the medical field post-graduation. I am thankful for my family and friends the past 4 years!
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Jaylyn Sherrod |
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Member of the Women's Basketball Team
Sociology Degree
From Birmingham, Alabama
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Erica Shivers |
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Erica double majored in atmospheric and computer science and plans to start grad school in the fall, she dreams of starting a rescue form sanctuary for animals.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Kolondja Thillot |
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Graduating in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a minor in Leadership studies, Kolondja regards his time at CU as a character builder, truly testing his resilience to obstacles. He thanks his mother Meta for instilling in him a strong desire for educational excellence. Next steps is to see the world.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Karia White |
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Karia White, originally from New Jersey, now based in the Denver, Colorado area, is Black woman scholar, organizer, educator, writer and artist. She is graduating with a double major in Ethnic Studies and International Affairs as well as minoring in Political Science. She is one of the student Co-Founders for the first ever Center for African and African American Studies in CU Boulder's history. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Her current projects in the community are Books for the Block, Shades of Honey, Denver Freedom Skool. Karia will be attending CU Boulder in the fall in the pursuit of her Masters in the Learning Science and Human Development Department.
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Undergraduate, College of Engineering & Applied Science |
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Gabriel Williams |
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Hi everyone! My name is Gabe and I studied mechanical engineering here at CU. I’ve had an amazing experience here and made priceless memories and friendships. As I continue my journey, I’m proud to announce that I’ve received an offer from Boeing to be a Propulsion Engineer.
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Undergraduate, College of Arts and Sciences |
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Ruth Woldemichael |
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Ruth double majored in Ethnic Studies andInternational Affairs with a Spanish minor. She is a co-founder of the Center for African and African American Studies and former President of theBlack Student Alliance.
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Undergraduate, College of Engineering & Applied Science |
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Kaylee Zamastil |
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Kaylee is graduating with a degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, a minor in ethnic studies, and wrapping up a EKG certification this summer. Thanks to mentors, abolition minded programs, and beautiful collectives on campus Kaylee will continue to work in spaces that prioritize POC/feminist action in environmental and educational spaces.
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May 3 |
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CU Boulder to reflect, celebrate as Juneteenth becomes official state holiday
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Gov. Jared Polis signed a legislative bill into law, declaring Juneteenth a state holiday. The holiday recognizes the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates the self-determination of Black Americans. This year, the university will offer a floating personal observance day for all leave-eligible faculty and staff.
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Consider Giving To The CAAAS |
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