University of Toledo students and community members on Thursday evening heard NAACP’s Director of Youth and College Division Tiffany Loftin discuss how she found her way to becoming an activist during a during a special program in Doermann Theatre.
Thursday’s event was a part of the University’s annual programming commemorating Black History Month. This year’s theme is Celebrating Resilience.
Ms. Loftin said resilience is how change arises. During her speech, she encouraged attendees to continuously work towards building community and unity.
“It’s not good enough for us to operate just in moments of crisis, to mobilize and then not follow through and get upset because we can’t retain the community,” she said.
As she continued her speech she listed key attributes students should consider when building communities on campus: communication, accountability; discipline, hope, and focus included.
UT freshman Nyreisha Tevis, 18, said the event inspired her to advocate for justice within her community.
“Just seeing different scenarios around me, what the African-American community goes through [nationally], it just makes me want to make a difference,” she said.
Ms. Tevis is studying social work.
Within her leadership role, Ms. Loftin serves more than 700 youth councils and high school and college chapters fighting for civil rights.
Her activism began long before her employment with NAACP, as she was the senior program specialist in community advocacy and partnership engagement at the Center for Social Justice with the National Education Association.
She also worked for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations Labor Commission on Racial and Economic Justice. Ms. Loftin served as racial justice program coordinator for the Civil, Human and Women’s Rights Department.
In 2013, Ms. Loftin was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans in Higher Education. She was only 24 years old at the time.
UT Senior Kyeisha Muhammad, 23, said she was inspired by Ms. Loftin’s journey.
“Any time that I can attend an event where the speaker is young and black like me, I will make it a priority to go. It’s just really inspirational just to see her being young and in the position where she can help others,” Ms. Muhammad said.
She added that this kind of programming is beneficial for students.
“It really gives students time to reflect on history as African Americans and it also provides unity by giving students an opportunity to be together,” she said.
Ms. Muhammad is studying Broadcast Journalism.
As Thursday’s event concluded the Toledo chapter of the NAACP present Ms. Loftin with a plaque to thank her for her work.
Ms. Loftin concluded her remarks by challenging those in attendance to assume leadership roles as they fight for equality and justice.
“Not only does Ohio need it, but America needs it,” she said. “So be great. I trust you.”
First Published February 7, 2020, 2:22 a.m.
