CU ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ professor recognized for work to build βthe beloved communityβ
ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Chamber honors Reiland Rabaka with Impact Award at 2024 Celebration of Leadership
Reiland Rabaka believes in the beloved community.
An idea that originated with Harvard University philosopher and was embraced and , it guides Rabakaβs vision and work, including the founding of the ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) more than a year ago.
In recognition of that work, the ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Chamber presented Rabaka, a CU ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ professor of ethnic studies, the at its Celebration of Leadership Wednesday evening. The Impact Award βis presented in recognition of an individual or local company that makes significant contributions to their industry, environmental stewardship, and/or social sustainability within the ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ community,β the ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Chamber noted.
The award honors the establishment of the CAAAS and βhis role in conceiving and developing this welcoming and vibrant space for Black students, staff, faculty, alumni and allies. The CAAAS also has been a source of pride and optimism throughout the Black community in and around ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ.β
Reiland Rabaka (right) accepts the ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Chamber Impact Award Wednesday evening while John Tayer (left), ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Chamber CEO and president, looks on. (Photo: Casey Cass/CU ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ)
It also celebrates Rabakaβs vision for building a beloved community in ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ, βwhere Latinx folk, Native Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans and European Americans finally come together and work together to rescue and reclaim our humanity and achieve a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious American democracy,β Rabaka said while accepting the award.
βLetβs make Martin Luther Kingβs dream a reality by building the beloved community right here, right now in ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ, Colorado.β
Standing in sincere solidarity
Introducing Rabaka, a longtime ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ community activist, emphasized that Rabaka is βa visionary leader whose impact extends far beyond the boundaries of academia. The CAAAS center at CU a testament to the culmination of numerous aspirations finds their beating heart in the tireless efforts of Dr. Rabaka. It is evident that the CAAAS has become more than just a physical space; it is a sanctuary of belonging, community and culture for Black students, sending waves of pride and optimism throughout the Black community in and around ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ.β
She added that before CAAAS was established, ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ βmay have felt like a place where few Black individuals, especially young people, could find a sense of comfort and acceptance. Dr. Rabakaβs profound impact lies in creating joyful and welcoming spaces for Black students. CAAAS was necessary in a community where inclusivity is a crucial top of discussion.β
That commitment to inclusivity is central to Rabakaβs vision of a beloved community: βI dream of a world that is committed to acknowledging and honoring the lives, struggles and leadership of the most marginalized among us, including, but not limited to, those who are girls and women, queer and trans, formerly and currently incarcerated, poor and working class, disabled and differently abled, undocumented and immigrant,β he said.
βThe beloved community is committed to equal access to education and health care, to food justice, to animal rights and the preservation of plant life and to open and honest conversation about climate change and environmental racism and their devastating impacts on the poorest and most vulnerable among us. There can be no liberation for any of us if we do not center and fight for those who continue to be marginalized and exploited.β
Rabaka called on those attending the Celebration of Leadershipβthe beloved community membersβto stand in sincere solidarity βwith all oppressed, exploited, and racially colonized people who are fighting for their liberationβ and to be bridges βfor those that claim to be our allies and help them evolve into our advocates, and I believe Iβm with some advocates in here today.
βAnother way and another world is possible, but only if we are willing to work for it, only if we are willing to commit ourselves to making whatever sacrifices are necessary to bring the beloved community into being.β
Click the button below to hear Reiland Rabaka discuss community, art and many other topics on The Ampersand, the College of Arts and Sciences podcast.
Top image: Reiland Rabaka accepts the ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ Chamber Impact Award. (Photo: Casey Cass/CU ΒιΆΉΣ°ΤΊ)
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