Earlier this year, when protests were held across the country to challenge systemic racism, Case Western Reserve University seniors Aliah Lawson and Anaiya Manuel were inspired to organize their own 250-participant peaceful protest in Cleveland suburb University Heights, Lawson’s hometown.
Today, they each remain active in conversations surrounding racial justice, both on and off campus.
Aliah
“I want to make sure that, even if it’s small, we do work that’ll change how our lives are here on campus and in the surrounding community.”
- Majoring in political science and psychology on a pre-law track
- Previous president of the Black Student Union, currently an advisor to the group
- Co-chair of the Racial Justice Committee of For a Better CWRU: A Student-Led Task Force, an initiative to make progress within the campus community
- Member of committee convened by University Heights mayor to review use-of-force and community interaction policies for the city’s police force
Anaiya
“Many of the people [at CWRU] have taught me lessons that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
- Political science major with a social work minor
- Holds positions on the student-led task force’s committees on racial justice, mental health and sexual assault
- Working with the CWRU chapter of the Ohio Student Association, which engages individuals at universities and in communities and seeks to push for reform and policy changes as they relate to equity
Ready to take the lead?