Colorado State University Pueblo Welcomes the NAACP Pueblo Chapter and Rep. Joe Neguse
Release Date: February 23, 2022
Pueblo— Colorado State University Pueblo welcomes the NAACP Pueblo Branch as they host U.S. Congressman for Colorado’s 2nd District, Joe Neguse on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022, as part of programming in observance of Black History Month.
“The NAACP Pueblo Branch #4005 are honored and excited to bring U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse to Pueblo for Black History Month, after he had to cancel his appearance at our Freedom Fund Banquet due to obligations in Washington, DC,” said Roxana Mack, Pueblo’s NAACP president. “We want to thank Colorado State University Pueblo and President Timothy Mottet for hosting the event.”
Rep. Neguse will deliver a keynote address at 4:45 p.m. in the Occhiato Student Center. The event will welcome community leaders such as members of the NAACP, the mayor of Pueblo, Nick Gradisar, and CSU Pueblo’s President, Timothy Mottet. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend this event.
"As the people’s university, we are proud to host the NAACP Pueblo Branch and their keynote speaker Congressman Neguse,” said President Mottet. “This event provides us the opportunity to connect with the community and to create dialogue while recognizing a voice in Congress who mirrors the values of CSU Pueblo.”
Rep. Neguse was elected in 2018 and became Colorado’s first African-American member of Congress. He serves as a member of the House Judiciary Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. Additionally, he serves as chair of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, and Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
“We are honored to say, Congressman Neguse is a friend of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and our mission, ensuring equity and social justice to all people,” said Mack.
The keynote address by Rep. Neguse will be prefaced with a performance by the local Pueblo gospel group, the Sankey Sisters who will be introduced by Mikayla Lerch, president of CSU Pueblo’s Associated Students’ Government.
CSU Pueblo also presented campus community with events that honor Black History Month, including a Brown Bag Dialogue facilitated by Ami Maureen Bajah-Onyejekwe, RN, MSN. Bajah-Onyejekwe is CSU Pueblo’s School of Nursing Simulation Coordinator. She was invited by the Center for International Programs and Inclusive Excellence to lead a discussion centered on the 2022 Black History Month theme of black health and wellness.
Both CSU Pueblo and the NAACP Pueblo Branch have worked to highlight events that create room for dialogue and learning throughout the month of February.
“The key to a healthy and strong unified community is communication and respect,” said Mack. “We hope by bringing such a leader like Congressman Neguse to our community, it will help strengthen our commitment to strive for the betterment of every Puebloan.”
For more information on the NAACP Pueblo Branch, their events, or membership visit their Facebook page or visit their website.
