NMSU’s Black Programs hosted City Connection in celebration of Black History Month at the Health, Education, and Social Transformation Hall Auditorium on Feb. 8. Students talked and collaborated with the City of Las Cruces and NAACP’s Doña Ana County Branch and the New Mexico State University NAACP College Chapter.
City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau represented The City of Las Cruces, while the NMSU NAACP College Chapter was represented by President Desirae Price. Black Programs organizers offered a light breakfast to attendants.
Price introduced herself and the purpose of the event, and Taumoepeau spoke about his experiences as a Polynesian American. Taumoepeau also explained what it means to be a city manager; a position he said his family often confused with city mayor.
Taumoepeau gave advice for college students based on his own academic struggles. Taumoepeau would then discuss how the Civil Rights Movement made it possible for marginalized people like himself to succeed in certain careers.
“I am currently standing on the shoulders of giants, like Martin Luther King Jr., who worked so hard to bring change to our society and the way things work in it,” Taumoepeau said. “Were it not for people him or other activists during that period, I along with other people of color would not have been given the chance to work in positions like the one I have now.”
After his speech, Taumoepeau opened the floor for questions from students in the audience, relating to his work in the city government and how to become an influential community member.
Price, who is also an ASNMSU senator, reflected on a recent resolution the senate passed codifying recognition of Black History Month, and how strides like those help preserve the traditions of the holiday.
“We look back to Clara Belle Williams, she went to school here when it was segregated, was not honored, or recognized until 1980 for what she had to endure here, and it has not even been a hundred years since she was not allowed to graduate,” Price said. “So, as a black organization, it is important that we continue to uplift and make progress that is needed, because just as how we can name a building after Williams, how can we cultivate a safe space for minorities in NMSU’s culture?”
One of the event’s attendants, Arch Jones, described how the event helped newer residents like himself get in touch with local organizations.
“I think the importance is you have really got to try and get a pulse on everyone in the community,” Jones said. “Especially when there is not a ton of black individuals in Las Cruces, events like this help kind of create a sense of community and getting to meet and network with other people who look like you, while still pulling from as many different backgrounds as possible.”
