06/19/2020
A Message from President Cinderich’s Desk:
Dear Colleagues -
MISSION POSSIBLE: Organize. Energize. Mobilize.
That was the theme I unveiled during the EOA Annual Conference in Omaha, NE. When I selected this theme, I never imagined the weight those three words...those three actions, would have in the coming months. Since we were last together in November, our nation, state, institutions, communities, programs, colleagues, and students have faced unprecedented times, navigating the new realities of a COVID-19 world while combating the painful, continuing reality that racism is real.
One of my all-time favorite movies is National Treasure. In an early scene, Benjamin Gates (played by Nicholas Cage) references a statement from the Declaration of Independence and explains its meaning to be "when something is wrong, those who have the ability to take action, have the responsibility to take action." That phrase perfectly captures our origins as a TRIO community. Born out of the civil rights movement and Lyndon B. Johnson's war on poverty, our programs were created by those who chose to organize, energize, and mobilize to ensure equity in education.
As a community, in support of one another, but especially in support of our colleagues and students of color, we must band together with one mission and as one voice. We must remain open to listening and educating ourselves. We must continue to abandon preconceived notions and stereotypes. We must continue to step up and speak out against hate. We must continue fighting to dismantle the systems that continue to oppress. We must continue to love and support one another. We must continue to organize, energize, and mobilize to prove that equality isn't just a dream, it is in fact, a mission that is possible.
Black Lives Matter.
In Solidarity,
Adam B. Cinderich
President, Ohio TRIO
