Dear Fellow CUA Alumni:

Now is a time that we are all trying to do better. I've been listening, learning, researching, protesting, and one thing that is clear, that I always knew but now need to hold myself accountable for, is this:

Gentrification is violence against black lives.

It is absolutely no secret that our university has contributed in large ways to the gentrification of the Brookland community. If you graduated in the last few years as I have, then you likely watched it happen before your eyes. New luxury apartments went up so that students could live in the same comforts that many of us grew up in. Chipotle and Starbucks were brought in. We went to happy hour at rooftop bars in Shaw and paid astronomical prices for drinks. Yes, these changes boosted the local economy and decreased crime rates in the area. But who benefited from these changes? Our predominantly white university community. Meanwhile, long time residents of the area, some who had lived in Northeast DC for generations, were forced out because they could no longer afford to live here. Sabiyha Prince, an activist with Empower DC, wrote, “Infrastructure has been altered, public property has been privatized, the will of voters has been rescinded, minority-owned businesses have been shuttered, and the bodies of people of color have been stopped and frisked to accommodate and enhance the respective presence and comfort of newcomers.”

I believe that as a community, our university needs to take responsibility. I have spoken with the co-founders of LinkUp, which continues to fight gentrification in the Brookland area. They currently have a campaign concerned about the ongoing displacement of tenants from Brookland Manor Apartments ahead of Mid-City Financial’s proposed “RIA” luxury redevelopment project. They are willing to facilitate a conversation between President Garvey and DC tenant leaders to see what actions the university can take on positive projects that benefit both the university and long time residents. I am confident that we can create a community that upholds our Catholic values and provides a safe place for EVERYONE. I am pledging to hold any donation to the university until such actions are taken. I have created a list of actionable items for CUA alumni, and a resource document that includes educational materials and organizations to donate to are in my bio. I am keeping this document open for edits and welcoming everyone to make contributions. I am encouraging my fellow CUA alumni, and current students, to do the same. Let's hold ourselves accountable. Email President Garvey. Sign the position. Do not donate to the university until changes are made. Instead, give your money to organizations that are fighting gentrification in D.C.

CUA is not the only university contributing to this phenomenon. Gentrification is happening in communities across the country and disproportionately impacting black folks. Please take similar steps at your universities, especially if it is a predominately white institution like mine.

LinkUp currently has a fundraising goal of $5,000, which they are about $2,000 short of. I am challenging the CUA community to help them reach this goal this week. Please share these resources with other alumni and repost these action items on your social media. #WeMustDoBetter #HoldCUAccountable

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1npb4gZAc2qqjhy1_SiHXDKkUGnej9vZVNhSRFYZfn-s/edit?usp=sharing