Governor-Elect Moore’s upcoming inauguration brings hope to students of color
MARYLAND – Maryland Governor-Elect Wes Moore has already made history by becoming the first Black governor of Maryland. Moore’s election also marks the third time any state in the U.S. has elected a Black governor.
Promising Diversity
Throughout Moore’s campaign, he promised to fill out his Administration with a diverse slate of officials. He says he wants his administration to look more like Maryland, which is predominantly made up of people of color.
With Moore’s first round of appointments in November, it seems that promise of diversity could be achieved; Fagan Harris will serve as Chief of Staff, Tisha Edwards is Maryland’s new Secretary of Appointments, and attorney Amanda La Forge will be Chief Legal Counsel. Del. Eric Luedtke will serve as Chief Legislative Officer, and Helene Grady will become the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management.
“I can do that, too.”
Students of color at Salisbury University (SU) say Moore’s election and appointments brought a sense of hope on campus.
“Seeing someone who is at such a high level, it’s like, ‘I can do that, too,'” said Makaila Nance, Membership Chair of SU’s NAACP chapter. “I think the big thing, for me, is definitely the representation part. When it comes to diversity and inclusion in general, you want to include all backgrounds, all cultures, all traditions.”
Vice President of SU’s NAACP chapter, Juan Adames, echoed Nance’s sentiment. “The whole vibe shifted on campus to a kind of more welcoming campus. I felt that because more people of color, and people from all different backgrounds were coming out to events that they weren’t coming out to in the beginning,” he said.
Representation in Government
President of the Maryland NAACP State Conference Youth and College Division, Dorien Rogers, says representation matters; not just in policy making, but in making sure no Marylander is left behind.
“Having intersectional representation is definitely crucial in ensuring that the experiences are not only being amplified to the state government, but actual solutions are being produced that are coming from the intersections of this community,” said Rogers. “We all are going to have different experiences, whether they may have similarities. On top of that, how can we create solutions that are actually going to incorporate and reflect our diverse communities?”
Looking Ahead
With the promises and progress already made, young Marylanders of color say they’re not letting up on advancing just yet.
“Whether it’s about the economy, or gender equality, or any inequalities happening in Maryland, as long as he’s making the point of getting action done, that’s the most important,” said Nance.
Adames says with that accountability must come visibility.
“The promises that were said from Wes Moore were promising. We always like to hear that people want to get more diverse communities into office,” said Adames. “I hope that he does that continuously, rather than just one time during election time. I just want to make sure we’re holding him accountable just as far as being present.”
Maryland NAACP State Conference Youth and College Division is working closely with the Moore Administration to ensure their needs are met. Rogers says that includes ensuring access to abortion services, battling discrimination in schools, bolster access for those living with disabilities, advocating for gender neutral bathrooms, among other priorities.
“The NAACP is holding the Moore-Miller Administration accountable to creating actionable policies that are going to uplift those communities,” said Rogers.
