BLOOMINGTON, Ill. 鈥� At the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Teach-In, Dr. Taren Nance, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, welcomed Nikita Richards as our keynote speaker for the event. Nikita has abundant experience in many fields, whether in public service, communications, owning a business, or serving in the military. One of Nikita鈥檚 most prominent roles she spoke about at the event was the role she has played in the Illinois Governor鈥檚 office fighting for Equity and Inclusion.

Nikita has always championed and fought for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and has used her own experience and stories to help guide her in this process. Nikita talked about how her intersectionality has played a role in helping her to advocate for others. Intersectionality is the idea that people's identities are complex and can overlap, creating unique experiences of discrimination and oppression. Nikita has many different identities that have been used against her or to oppress her as she is an African-American Woman, who comes from the south side of Chicago living in the Robert Taylor Homes as she stated.

Nikita spoke about how her life of systemic marginalization was meant to hold her back, yet she did more than people thought she could. She used the bias that people thought she couldn鈥檛 rise to anything surmountable, but instead, she broke the glass ceiling and continues to lead with empathy, spirit, and vigor.

She told stories about her life and how she has turned things around from what was expected. She is now in a position of power and privilege, and she uses that privilege to not keep others down but to uplift more people with her. She fights for others, relying on the spirit of Coretta Scott King (MLK鈥檚 wife).

Corretta wasn鈥檛 just the wife of Dr. King, but she was a strong advocate for civil rights as well. Where others may have seen her simply as MLK鈥檚 wife, she used that position as a place of power and privilege. She advocated and fought for millions of people in her time. She championed civil rights by founding the King Center for Nonviolent Change in Atlanta. Corretta believed that nobody should be treated or discriminated against on the basis of their skin color. Corretta is remembered for one of her most famous quotes, 鈥淗ate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated.鈥�

Correta not only furthered the cause of civil rights, but also economic justice, women鈥檚 and children鈥檚 rights, gay and lesbian dignity, religious freedom, and the needs of the poor and homeless, among others. Nikita Richards continues the battle that Correta fought so hard for. Not only fighting for civil rights but for the rights of everyone, so that nobody has to live marginalized.

Nikita talked to the crowd about how she not only is a strong advocate on her own, but she works with others to fight for what鈥檚 right. She understands that nobody can make change on their own, but together, united, we can make a difference and fight for those who can鈥檛 always fight for themselves.

At the event, we also heard from two student speakers, Anaya Repke 鈥�27 and Cloud Benn 鈥�25. They both spoke about their trials and efforts in fighting for the rights of others. Anaya talked about how she is scared to stand up for others, but she knows that her fear can鈥檛 hold her back because there are so many people that need her help. She sees injustice and discrimination and she knows that she must use her voice to help those who need it. She uses her privilege to fight for others in more ways than one.

Cloud, coming from New Orleans, Louisiana, told a story about how they worked back home to fight for those who were challenged by socioeconomic barriers. They served on committees with youth in the area to help fight for things you think would be simple, but really aren鈥檛. Families faced financial struggles and some just had enough to get by. That means when a kid needed to use public transportation, and it cost $2.50, some people couldn鈥檛 afford that. Cloud advocated and got free rides for the youth back home and made a difference. $2.50 may not mean much to others, but for some that was a barrier that now being lifted, allowed them to use that money elsewhere.

Nikita ended the teach-in with more Q&A from the audience where she talked about how she has fought discrimination in so many different areas whether it being at ISU college for her undergrads and masters, or at her work, or in the general public. Nikita also touched on how she has worked with a network of sisters and supporters to help her in her battles. They not only assist one another but also are a source of support and can be people she leans on during trying times.

Nikita knows that the battle is far from over, but she will continue to persevere. She embodies the spirit of Coretta Scott King and every day she goes out to fight for others just as King did. She will continue to fight because she sees it matters every day when she sees young black people who need her help or when she worries about the world for her young black daughter. 

Submitted by Brady Poisal