Redlands Alumni for Black Lives Matter
Bowie Rivera ‘22
Jahmari Johnson ‘21
Kalei MacDonald ‘23
By Jonathan Garcia ’16
Johnston Summer Interns: A Gift for the Grads
For decades, Black students at the University of Redlands have been insisting on systemic change. It is not hyperbole to state that these calls for change have been ignored and delayed, or when acted upon, cosmetic, fraudulent, and short-lived in nature. The Redlands Alumni for Black Lives Matter is a group of alumni mobilizing fellow graduates of the University of Redlands to insist this change come fully and swiftly this time. We have demands. We have a petition to sign. We are asking every signee to cease all donations to the University of Redlands until these demands are met. In just two weeks, we have gathered over 1000 signatures, engaged over 50,000 individuals, and are acquiring press and exposure. Join us. As a non-Black POC, I am identifying my role during this time as one of action and support for the Black community. You have influence at the University of Redlands as alumni. Please consider using it for the advancement of our future alumni. As a Johnston alum, I’d like to think it is always our duty to hold power accountable. I write these words with love.
Pici Dennon ‘21
As a graduate of the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies, I need to say something to you—we must do better. As we watch our cities rise against the systemic violence towards Black people that has plagued this country since its founding, I urge you to take a look at the University you have graduated from—we are not exempt.
Aria Hurtado ‘21
Kelly Sandoval ‘21
By Pici Dennon ‘21 Amidst the trying times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Johnston Center still finds a way to support students in need of summer employment. Managing to create an internship program in a completely remote setting, this group of employees works methodologically with Zoom, internet clouds, and epic emailing skills to collaborate on a special project. Split into two groups: content creators and designers, students work with staff members M.G. Maloney and Maggie Ruopp to create a yearbook dedicated to the graduating class of 2020. Content creators Bowie Rivera ‘22, Jahmari Johnson ’21, and Kalei MacDonald ’23 are practicing outreach skills by writing personalized calls for submissions, file management, as well as scouting community photographers for submissions. As emails are sent out and content is sent in, designers Aria Hurtado ’21, Kelly Sandoval ‘21, and Pici Dennon ‘21 are working on a design brief. As a whole team, the group works together through consensus on deciding title of the book, a social media call for submissions as well as ideas for imagery, themes, and the color palette. The book will highlight visual art and photography submitted by the class of 2020 to showcase their last year in college. It was a memorable year, even in light of the massive COVID-19 deaths and police brutality happening at this time. The book team is brainstorming ways to uplift graduates of color and their amazing contributions to the whole U of R campus. This yearbook will be no graduation ceremony on Bekins Lawn, but it will be a way for the Center to give back to the students who lost the experience they worked incredibly hard towards over the last four years. Students and staff working on the project aim to have the manuscript sent to local printer Citrograph by mid-August. Once printed, Johnston will mail the publication to the class of 2020 and house a copy of it in the Jimmie Room Bekins Library (and Coyotess Den archive) for current students to enjoy.