Greetings, my name is Ceirra Noel, a young black woman from Denver Colorado who aspires to attend a Historically Black College University. Next fall I will be attending Community College of Aurora my senior year to complete my associates degree while still in high school! Neither of my parents went to college so it's been tremendously difficult to navigate almost everything I've done academically but despite that barrier I am 9/225 ranked and have a 4.2 GPA weighted. November of 2020 my freshman year, our school Martin Luther King Jr. Early College invited students to tour Denver University. We walked around the entire campus and afterwards watched a home hockey game, the experience was great! Around 12am after the hockey game and the bus ride back to our school my counselor Mr. Legg boldly offered a volunteer opportunity the very next day at 6am to pass out food boxes to ones in need. The motivated freshman within me decided to go despite how tired I was from the previous day and while passing out food boxes, my counselor referred me to create, lead, and present a volunteer club at my school. 3 years later I am the founder and still president of DMLK Volunteer Club. Honestly, I soon gained a love and commitment to community work. I learned that small gestures like holiday cards for detained immigrants or preparing sandwiches for the homeless goes such a long way! Even spending Valentine's day at an old folks home really can be the spotlight of one's day and I love that feeling unconditionally. Creating and participating in these events has allowed me to encourage volunteering to my peers and sparked my love for community service. I started to expand my volunteering to non-profit organizations. One being YAASPA (Young Aspiring American Social and Political Activism) and another being The Power of One who works to prevent youth violence in our community. I also collaborate with many other non profits such as Montbello Organizing Committee, Steps to Success Montbello, Struggle of Love, etc. to help plan, fundraise, execute events, recruit youth, etc. all to better serve my community and the youth within it! However, after traumatic back to back events based on racial inequities in 2020, I knew I needed to do more, I wanted to go deeper. So, I am now a co-host, business owner, and 1/5 leader of the LLC podcast Know Justice Know Peace who has now been locally and nationally acknowledged for disrupting the injustice for BIPOC students in our school district, Denver Public Schools. Through this podcast we tackle uncomfortable topics, hold authority in power accountable, and bring the light the inequities BIPOC students face daily. I soon realized that simply volunteering isn't my passion, uniting my community for the greater good is. I've made it my mission through the non-profits I continue to work with, through Volunteer Club and National Honors Society presidential positions, and through my podcast to recognize the issues we're tackling are way bigger than us. With change of policy, hard work, and an open mind we can do anything, together. Know Justice Know Peace passed a resolution demanding Denver Public Schools to teach BIPOC history in every single DPS school. We created the resolution because we knew that representation matters. To be inspired you have to learn about the inspiring, which is exactly what our resolution allows our peers to do. As I continue my work of volunteerism and activism my intention is to bring along others and spark their passion to change the world we live in day by day!

"Black lives don't matter" was a fragment of a threat email I received simply because I advocate for black students in our school district. I’m a member of the podcast Know Justice Know Peace locally and nationally acknowledged for disrupting the injustice within Denver Public Schools. However, advocating for my black peers' rights to an equitable education makes many incensed, but making people comfortable isn't my mission. In 2020 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College took us, black students, on a trip to Washington D.C where I was able to connect, unite, and for once feel accepted for who I am as a young black woman. On a humid Wednesday, we took two buses and the train to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The next day we visited the Great Blacks Museum, and I was dismayed. I cried in frustration and continuously visualized my dad in the situations we were forced to absorb. Seeing my sister in the terrible circumstances we saw in wax form, was surreal. I exceptionally learned so much about the trauma we as black people have faced for decades and I became increasingly aggrieved because I've seen the minutest difference. Then, the heartbreaking video footage of George Floyd became public and at that very moment I knew I needed to be part of a change for my people. As a 16-year-old girl, I knew that change begins with youth. My peers bring the answer to dissembling the systemic racism we and our ancestors have endeavored for years upon years. An instant roadblock appeared, how are we going to dissect a system we have no knowledge about? There was no representation of African American history in our social studies curriculums, so I then found the first step to a rigorous process. After long sleepless nights, endless zoom calls, and a whole bunch of extensive research we created a podcast in 2020 named Know Justice Know Peace to educate our community about inequities we have faced as students within Denver Public Schools because...you must know your justice to know your peace. A year later through dedication and perseverance, we boldly created and successfully passed the Know Justice Know Peace Resolution stating the following: WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College students do not want a separate Black and African American History course to be required because of the damaging implications of viewing Black and African American history as separate from United States history; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the importance of Black and African American history and the foundational role Black and African Americans have played in the creation of this country broadly; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that Black and African American, Indigenous and Latino lives and contributions must be infused into all courses and not exclusive to Social Studies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board embraces the idea that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. To that end, the Board directs the Superintendent to operationalize the plan by the start of the 2021-2022 school year to ensure that all schools within the family of Denver Public Schools’ curriculum and professional practices include comprehensive historical and contemporary contributions to Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities. This was not an achievement for me but for every single black student in Denver Public Schools who never experienced their history being taught fully and with an unbiased approach. This has not only encouraged me to continue my journey of activism for marginalized groups but more importantly, this will change the life of all of my black peers who are looking for a spark of passion to prevent history from repeating itself and to be proud of the black excellence streaming in their blood! This resolution allows the opportunity for change. My passion was sparked by becoming exposed to the horrific stories about Central Park Five, Emmett Till, George Stinney Jr., etc. While in the Great Blacks Wax Museum I couldn't bear imagining myself in shackles parted away from my family in tight, reeking, and caliginous slave ships. Visualizing my father in an iron mask incapable of eating, slowly dying from starvation because he did not pick enough cotton that day. Picturing my mother being branded, sexualized, and seen as nothing else but someone to breed more slaves. Experiencing second-hand trauma brought immense motivation to create a world that truly lives up to “liberty and justice for all”. It is humbly gratifying to see the KJKP Resolution rightfully demand equitable education which will fundamentally create more advocates for change. Additional note: I had the honor to lead the Martin Luther King Marade in Denver Colorado January 17th 2021 with my fellow podcast hosts. I individually gained the opportunity to share a self written spoken word poem at the Marade conveying why I care so much about my Black brothers and sisters striving. I would love to submit this video because it is a perfect example of sharing my ultimate goal and aspiration to lead my community to greatness and justice.

"Black lives don't matter" was a fragment of a threat email I received simply because I advocate for black students in our school district. I’m a member of the podcast Know Justice Know Peace locally and nationally acknowledged for disrupting the injustice within Denver Public Schools however, advocating for my peers' rights to an equitable education makes many incensed, but making people comfortable isn't my mission, showing up for my community is! Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College took us students on a trip to Washington D.C where I was able to connect, unite, and for once feel accepted for who I am as a young black woman. On a humid Wednesday, we took two buses and the train to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The next day we visited the Great Blacks museum and I was dismayed. I cried in frustration and continuously visualized my dad in the situations we were forced to absorb. Seeing my sister in the terrible circumstances we saw in wax form, was surreal. I exceptionally learned so much about the trauma we as minority people have faced for decades and I became increasingly aggrieved because I've seen the minutest difference, at that very moment I knew I needed to be a part of a change for my people. As a 16-year-old girl, I knew that change begins with youth, my peers bring the answer to dissembling the systemic racism we and our ancestors have endeavored for years upon years. An instant roadblock appeared, how are we going to dissect a system we have no knowledge about? There was no representation of Black and Indigenous People of Color history in our social studies curriculums, I then found the first step to a rigorous process. After long sleepless nights, endless zoom calls, and a whole bunch of research we created a podcast in 2020 named Know Justice Know Peace to educate our community about inequities we've faced as students within Denver Public Schools because...you have to know your justice to know your peace. Through dedication and perseverance we boldly created and successfully passed the Know Justice Know Peace Resolution stating the following; WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College students do not want a separate Black and African American History course to be required because of the damaging implications of viewing Black and African American history as separate from United States history; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the importance of Black and African American history and the foundational role Black and African Americans have played in the creation of this country broadly; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that Black and African American, Indigenous and Latino lives and contributions must be infused into all courses and not exclusive to Social Studies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board embraces the idea that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. To that end, the Board directs the Superintendent to operationalize the plan by the start of the 2021-2022 school year to ensure that all schools within the family of Denver Public Schools’ curriculum and professional practices include comprehensive historical and contemporary contributions to Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities. This was not an achievement for me but for every single student in Denver Public Schools who has never experienced their history and culture been taught fully and with an unbiased approach. This hasn't only encouraged me to continue my journey of activism for marginalized groups but more importantly, this will change the future of education for all of my peers.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College took us, black students, on a trip to Washington D.C where I was able to connect, unite, and for once feel accepted for who I am as a young black woman.We took a visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The next day we visited the Great Blacks museum and I was dismayed. I cried in frustration and continuously visualized my dad in the situations we were forced to absorb, it was surreal. I became increasingly aggrieved because I've seen the minutest difference, at that very moment I knew I needed to be a part of a change for my people. As a 16-year-old girl, I knew that change begins with youth, my peers bring the answer to dissembling the systemic racism we and our ancestors have endeavored for years upon years. An instant roadblock appeared, how are we going to dissect a system we have no knowledge about? There was no representation of African American history in our social studies curriculums, I then found the first step to a rigorous process. After long sleepless nights, endless zoom calls, and a whole bunch of research we created a podcast in 2020 named Know Justice Know Peace to educate our community about inequities we've faced as students within Denver Public Schools because...you have to know your justice to know your peace. Through dedication and perseverance we boldly created and successfully passed the Know Justice Know Peace Resolution that's been implemented into every Denver Public School. This was not an achievement for me but for every single black student in Denver Public Schools who have never experienced their history being taught fully and with an unbiased approach. https://go.boarddocs.com/co/dpsk12/Board.nsf/files/BUFU5P7A64D2/%24file/Know%20Justice%20Know%20Peace%20Resolution.pdf Take a look at our resolution!

"Black lives don't matter" was a fragment of a threat email I received simply because I advocate for black students in our school district. I’m a member of the podcast Know Justice Know Peace locally and nationally acknowledged for disrupting the injustice within Denver Public Schools however, advocating for my black peers' rights to an equitable education makes many incensed, but making people comfortable isn't my mission. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College took us, black students, on a trip to Washington D.C where I was able to connect, unite, and for once feel accepted for who I am as a young black woman. On a humid Wednesday, we took two buses and the train to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The next day we visited the Great Blacks museum and I was dismayed. I cried in frustration and continuously visualized my dad in the situations we were forced to absorb. Seeing my sister in the terrible circumstances we saw in wax form, was surreal. I exceptionally learned so much about the trauma we as black people have faced for decades and I became increasingly aggrieved because I've seen the minutest difference, at that very moment I knew I needed to be a part of a change for my people. As a 16-year-old girl, I knew that change begins with youth, my peers bring the answer to dissembling the systemic racism we and our ancestors have endeavored for years upon years. An instant roadblock appeared, how are we going to dissect a system we have no knowledge about? There was no representation of African American history in our social studies curriculums, I then found the first step to a rigorous process. After long sleepless nights, endless zoom calls, and a whole bunch of research we created a podcast in 2020 named Know Justice Know Peace to educate our community about inequities we've faced as students within Denver Public Schools because...you have to know your justice to know your peace. Through dedication and perseverance we boldly created and successfully passed the Know Justice Know Peace Resolution stating the following; WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Early College students do not want a separate Black and African American History course to be required because of the damaging implications of viewing Black and African American history as separate from United States history; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the importance of Black and African American history and the foundational role Black and African Americans have played in the creation of this country broadly; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that Black and African American, Indigenous and Latino lives and contributions must be infused into all courses and not exclusive to Social Studies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board embraces the idea that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. To that end, the Board directs the Superintendent to operationalize the plan by the start of the 2021-2022 school year to ensure that all schools within the family of Denver Public Schools’ curriculum and professional practices include comprehensive historical and contemporary contributions to Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities. This was not an achievement for me but for every single black student in Denver Public Schools who have never experienced their history being taught fully and with an unbiased approach. This hasn't only encouraged me to continue my journey of activism for marginalized groups but more importantly, this will change the life of all of my black peers who are looking for a spark of passion to prevent history from repeating itself and to be proud of the black excellence streaming in their blood! This resolution allows the opportunity for change. My passion was sparked by becoming exposed to the horrific stories about Central Park Five, Emmett Till, George Stinney Jr., etc. While in the Great Blacks Wax Museum I couldn't bear imagining myself in shackles parted away from my family in tight, reeking, and caliginous slave ships. Visualizing my father in an iron mask incapable of eating, slowly dying from starvation because he didn't pick enough cotton that day. Picturing my mother being branded, sexualized, and seen as nothing else but someone to breed more slaves. Experiencing second-hand trauma brought immense motivation to create a world that truly lives up to “liberty and justice for all”. It is humbly gratifying to see the KJKP Resolution rightfully demand equitable education which will fundamentally create more advocates for change.