How one professor is paving the way for more diversity at CU Boulder

Boulder, Dr. Reiland Rabaka stands outside of Mackey Auditorium, home to the Center for African and African American Studies which Rabaka founded in 2021 / University of Colorado, Boulder

On November’s Black Talk, KGNU’s Michele Simpson talked with Dr. Reiland Rabaka the founder and director of the Center for African and African American Studies (the CAAAS) at CU Boulder. Rabaka, who began working at CU Boulder in 2005, says he considered not taking the job because of the school and city’s overwhelming lack of diversity and BIPOC representation.

*Dr. Reiland Rabaka stands outside of Mackey Auditorium, home to the Center for African and African American Studies / University of Colorado, Boulder*

16 years later, in May of 2021, during the height of nationwide George Floyd protests and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Rabaka opened the doors to CAAS.

Michele Simpson talks with Rabaka about building a legacy for African And African Americans at CU Boulder, Afrofutruism, poetry, his grandmother, how he loves trees, and celebrating the duality of unspeakable black trauma and triumph.

CAAAS Director Reiland Rabaka, CU Athletic Director Rick George and head football coach Deion Sanders at the CAAAS grand opening which they celebrated in February of 2023/ (Casey A. Cass/University of Colorado)

Rabaka delivers keynote at MLK Day event at CU Boulder

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How one professor is paving the way for more diversity at CU Boulder Alexis Kenyon

Alexis Kenyon

Alexis Kenyon is an experienced radio reporter with more than 15 years of experience creating compelling, sound-rich radio stories for news outlets across the country. Kenyon has master's degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, Graduate School of Journalism in radio broadcast and photojournalism. She has worked in KGNU's news department since 2021 as a reporter, editor, and daily news producer. In all her work, she strives to produce thought-provoking, trustworthy journalism that makes other people's stories feel personal. In addition to audio production, Kenyon runs KGNU's news internship program and oversees the department's digital engagement.