African American Experience Timeline

At her State of the School address on May 7, University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) Dean Henrika McCoy unveiled a new African American Experience Timeline installed in the lobby of the school’s Craig Hall. Diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and justice are fundamental social work values. McCoy says, “At a time when many Americans are experiencing increased marginalization, disenfranchisement and oppression—and efforts are being made to erase history and people—we know that the work of social work is more important than ever.”

The timeline is an initiative of community member and GSSW friend Richard Lewis (pictured with GSSW Dean Henrika McCoy), founder and CEO of technology firm RTL Networks and founder and chair of the nonprofit RTL Foundation. According to the foundation, “This timeline has served as a useful tool to support discussions on race and provides factual information to confront a deluge of distorted facts, internet hoaxes and an abundance of widely circulated myths. The true history of slavery and the African American experience in America provides needed context to have meaningful discourse on American history and how to properly deal with its complicated legacy and consequences.”

McCoy notes that the timeline is an expression of the school’s commitment to DEI. “I want to make sure as long as I’m standing in this role, that those who have been historically marginalized and oppressed continue to be seen. We’re going to continue to build on that. If there’s no other place in the world you can go, you can come to this building.”