Rutgers African-American Alumni Alliance (RAAA), Inc. launched an online campaign in support of the Class of 1971’s Paul Robeson Plaza initiative. As an organization that greatly values and continuously honors the legacy of Paul Robeson, we are excited to have joined forces with Rutgers University Class of 1971 Milestone Campaign in support of the highly anticipated Paul Robeson Plaza. The plaza will be prominently located near Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue Campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The class gift will serve as a beacon in celebrating the power of the human spirit, and in publically proclaiming his life and legacy as one of Rutgers’ greatest advocates for national and global social justice. The dedication will take place in 2019 in honor of his 100th graduation anniversary from Rutgers College.
The idea of a Paul Robeson Plaza online campaign spearheaded by RAAA, crystallized from talks between James Savage, Chair of the Rutgers Class of 1971 45th Milestone Campaign Committee, and Kendall Hall, President of RAAA, Inc.
Individual RAAA members were already supportive after attending an Africana Studies program one year earlier where Jim had spoken of the idea. In October 2016, RAAA included the initiative in the Hall of Fame program journal as well as presentation by Jim. The reaction and support was both immediate and very impactful. Based on the enthusiastic response, RAAA started planning for a campaign to put funding for the plaza over the top. Meeting with representatives from the Rutgers Foundation, the idea of an online drive was decided upon which the group launched on February 17, 2017 via the Foundation’s crowdfunding platform. We are honored to have two distinguished RAAA Hall of Fame Inductees, Mr. Alfred Edmond, Jr. and Dr. Randal Pinkett serve as Ambassadors for the project. Mr. Alfred Edmond, Jr. is Sr. VP/Executive Editor-at-Large at Black Enterprise. Dr. Randal Pinkett is co-founder, Chairman and CEO of BCT Partners.
RAAA’s primary goals are to:
1) support the great work and vision of the Class of 1971 as a means to pay homage to the legacy of Paul Robeson
2) enshrine the memory of deceased Black Rutgers graduates of note including RAAA Hall of Fame Inductees
3) to facilitate and encourage support for pavers representing as many student organizations as well as significant events/movements across all three campuses
The aim is to also encourage support beyond Rutgers University as it relates to Paul Robeson’s vast connections and affiliations across the globe. All interested persons are invited to generously support this fitting tribute. With the community’s help, we can bring the life achievements of Paul Robeson back to the very Rutgers grounds where he grew and flourished.
All checks should be made payable to the Rutgers University Foundation/Class of 1971. The memo line should read Class of 1971/RAAA. Online donations will be accepted thru April 9, 2017 via http://one.rutgers.edu/raaarobesonplaza
Please forward any questions to prp@rutgersblackalumni.org.
For PRP draft renderings and paver order form www.rutgersblackalumni.org/forms/PRP_PaverForm_Campaign.pdf.
Each $1,000 donation reserves a granite plaza paver (8×12) which can be inscribed as desired. Three remaining (12×18) granite pavers as also available set at $5,000 a piece.
#IAMPAULROBESON
by Nana Afrifah, 8/4/2017
