A VOICE for African-Americans in New Mexico By: Michael Gardner Yvette Kaufman-Bell (BS 96) always wanted to go to
In the NMOAAA, Yvette ensures the voices of African-
college but didn’t know how. At Clovis High School,
Americans are heard, and that their history and heritage
she had straight As, took college prep courses, was an
are in the forefront. For almost seven years, she has
athlete and member of student council. After having
led initiatives in health, education, history and policy.
recited Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream”
Yvette has traveled to Zambia, Africa, on behalf of New
speech from memory during a presentation for Black
Mexico, to assist with efforts promoting education,
History Month, she was approached by a former ENMU
safety, cultural exchange and economic development.
professor who asked if she was interested in going to
She and her team are currently leading a historic effort
college. He offered her a scholarship to be a competing
with the state’s Public Education Department, looking
member of the speech and debate team.
at the high school core standards to see what indepth
Yvette was on the team for two years. She was also
history can be taught about the black experience.
the black student services coordinator, a member
“The rewards this position has yielded are
of student council, and second runner-up on the
immeasurable,” acknowledged Yvette. “I have been
Homecoming court. While working toward her degree
afforded the opportunity to meet people throughout
in speech communication and religion, she remained
the state, including our elders, Tuskegee airmen, and
grounded in her heritage. Yvette explained, “It was
the first black mayors, legislators, educators, engineers
important to me to be a voice for all minorities on
and business owners. Experiencing the successes of
campus who needed advocacy. The opportunity to
African-Americans in our state is one of the many
organize and initiate programs as a student helped me
treasures I will take from this journey.”
develop into who I am today.”
Yvette is also a published author and has a mentor
Speaking to at-risk communities, communities of color
program providing career, educational and spiritual
and those facing inequities are a few of the things Yvette
guidance for women all over the world. “My hope for
set out to do in her career. She worked for the YMCA of
all is that we discover the next journey with hope, trust
Central New Mexico for 13 years. She helped open YMCA
and happiness,” Yvette recommended. “Life is always
programs in Santa Fe, Rio Rancho and Albuquerque.
shifting but keep trust in the Lord. There is always
Yvette has always focused on the quality of life of
another road in your journey. No matter what, never let
children and families. When she was appointed as the
life harden you.”
youngest executive director of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs (NMOAAA), she began another journey, this time as a public servant.
Pictured above: In Zambia, Africa, Yvette visits with (from L-R) His Worship Mayor Lungu of Lusaka, City of Albuquerque Economic Development Director Gary Oppedahl, Albuquerque Sister Cities President Richard Buckler and City of Albuquerque Global Relations Randy Trask.
Green & Silver | December 2018
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