Castleton University is home to a new NAACP collegiate chapter – the first of its kind in Vermont.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909 in Baltimore, Maryland, and is the largest and most widely recognized civil rights organization. The NAACP’s work addresses issues in race and justice, education innovation, environmental and climate justice, inclusive economy, health and wellbeing, next generation leadership, advocacy and litigation, and more.
The group, which includes founding members Raynolds Awusi, Nadia Cox, and Tajae Edwards, began the process of forming a university chapter last spring. They received official approval from the national NAACP office in June. Castleton’s group is the fourth chapter in Vermont. There are currently more than 600 youth councils, high school chapters, and college chapters across the country.
Awusi, a Management major who graduated in May, was instrumental in leading the effort to launch the chapter. He was also an advocate for getting the Black Lives Matter flag raised on campus. He was also a student representative on the University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Edwards, a business major from Albany, New York, transferred from Hudson Valley Community College last year. He was considering continuing his studies at Cornell, but after meeting Assistant Director of Admissions Raphael Okutoro at a college fair, he felt connected to Castleton.
“When I transferred, the whole George Floyd issue was at its peak. I heard of the Black Lives Matter Flag being raised. I started connecting with other students and I met Ray. I saw some specific backlash from a student and that’s when I really wanted it to happen. This is not something we stand for, regardless of how different you think. It’s not what the masses think,” he said. “I wanted to be part of that.”
Cox is a senior marketing major originally from Massachusetts. She moved to Pawlet, Vermont – a rural town about 30 minutes from Castleton – when she was six years old. Cox said she loves living in the country, but acknowledges there’s not a lot of diversity in her hometown. She hopes the NAACP chapter can help attract students from different states and make them feel welcome at Castleton.
“There are so many out-of-state students that come from across the country and the world. Even though Castleton is small and there are not many students of color here, everyone should feel welcome and included. Students should feel welcome in Vermont,” she said.
To charter a new chapter, Castleton had to meet a number of criteria, including keeping a minimum of 25 members. At the end of the year, the chapter had approximately 30 members.
Edwards is especially proud of the diversity of the group.
“It’s important to this group that issues aren’t viewed as one-sided, or something we think is happening. For everyone to see that, it’s a big thing. Seeing it is a first step to wanting to change it. If you don’t see it, it’s because it’s not affecting you,” he said. “We want to see change and see everyone being accepted in an environment where we can live equal lives with equal happiness.”
Cox agrees, noting how the group celebrates diversity in all its forms.
“Diversity doesn’t just mean race,” she said. “It means sexual orientation, gender identity, religion.”
Membership in Castleton’s collegiate chapter is open to all students. The chapter will be overseen by student leaders, as well as advisor Rich Clark.
This year, Edwards and Cox hope to continue engaging the Castleton community in important conversations, while also continuing to produce programming like film discussions, training for the community, and more.