By D’Angela Dixon
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Black Lives Matter activist Kwame Rose came to Towson University last week and urged students to get involved in their communities to make the world a better place.
“There is no clear pathway to success,” Rose said during his keynote speech at the New Black City event on March 5. “I want students to define the odds and believe in themselves.”
Rose, who is the founder of Black Excellence and BE Foundation, opened the speech with a video of himself participating in the Baltimore uprising that occurred in April 2015 after the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.
He said the American system of racial bias is working just as it was intended to work when it was set up centuries ago.
Kwame also reminded students and faculty members who were in attendance that “we all play an important role in this movement.”
Rose said African Americans must claim their rightful space in society, even if they are not given the opportunity to do so.
“The only way you can demand space is with resilience and determination,” Rose said.
Kwame said African Americans must fight for their freedom and that young people should create social change in today’s society.
“As a race we need to break barriers and create names for ourselves,” Rose said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BY11qDi3c4U
He told students that social media is critical to a movement like Black Lives Matter.
“We need to use social media to our advantage, to talk about things that really affect our lives,” the 21-year-old activist said.
Kwame attended the University of Texas in San Antonio on a full scholarship before leaving to get involved in thehis Baltimore community.
Kwame has been very active in Baltimore and communities around the world for the past year.
He is currently on a speaking tour to discuss issues that impact African Americans each day.
The event was attended by Jahavaris Fulton, the older brother of Trayvon Martin, who was killed in Florida in 2012.
Students who were interviewed said they enjoyed Kwame’s speech.
“I felt very encouraged and empowered by what was said and acted out tonight,” said Ranya Marrakchi, a student in attendance. “I hope Towson has more events like this in the future.”
The New Black City events theme was based on the 90s hit show “A Different World.” The event included dancing, acting, singing and the spoken word – all revolving around the theme.
In between acts, students acted out skits from “A Different World” to help people understand the theme of the event a bit more.
This event also celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his efforts in the Civil Rights Movement.