Black History Month: Voices of the Staff
2/11/2021 3:45:00 PM | General, Features
In celebration of Black History Month, Michigan Athletics is considering "Where Do We Go From Here?" Through conversations and profiles with our student-athletes and staff, we will celebrate people and culture, while recognizing our country's history. In our "Voices of the Staff" series, we'll learn about nine members of the Michigan Athletic Department staff and what Black history means to them. This is the first of two installment and includes:
- Ruquel Atchison, Academic Counselor
- Maurice Washington, Director, Athletics Career Center
- Abigail Eiler, Director of Athletic Counseling, Chief Diversity Officer
- Brandon Willis, Big Ten Intern
The profile for Whitney Tarver follows the piece she wrote to kick off Black History Month.
Ruquel Atchison
Title: Academic Counselor
Hometown: Saginaw, Michigan
Q: What's your WHY or what keeps you motivated personally/professionally?
A: I'm motivated both personally and professionally by my hope of leaving a positive impact on my community and, more importantly, my family. It's imperative that I show up for my son and show him great examples of what it means to "live" vs. "just being" in this world.
Q: What kinds of things do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Food, music and fun with family and friends are definitely things I enjoy! I also enjoy attending concerts, especially outdoors.
Q: How do you celebrate Black History Month?
A: I typically celebrate Black history all year by attending community events, reading books by Black authors, watching shows that feature Black actors/actresses or are written and/or produced by someone Black, and also purchasing goods/services from Black-owned businesses.
Q: Why do you think it's important to commemorate Black history?
A: It's important that Black history is commemorated so we understand and don't forget those who made an impact on the history of this world. We can't leave out those significant stories and lessons, as they are paramount to the experiences and growth of us all, especially the younger generation.
Q: Which Black historical figure(s) do you most admire and why?
A: One Black historical figure that I most admire is Michelle Obama. I admire Michelle for her transparency and willingness to tell her story. Though her story isn't over, she doesn't display it as one of perfection, but one of resilience and perseverance. She has an authentic spirit and is very intentional about the way in which she lives her life and the things in which she's involved. Michelle seems very personable, and it's easy for women, not just Black women, to see themselves in her.
Q: A quote from a Black historical figure that resonates with you?
A: "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ("Strength to Love," 1963)
Q: A song from your Black History Month playlist?
A: "Living for the City" by Stevie Wonder
Q: A title from your Black History Month reading list?
A: "Year of Yes" by Shonda Rhimes (reading it again!)
Maurice Washington
Title: Director, Michigan Athletics Career Center
Hometown: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Q: What's your WHY or what keeps you motivated personally/professionally?
A: My why is motivating others to reach their full potential.
Q: What kinds of things do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Traveling, cooking, exercising.
Q: How do you celebrate Black History Month?
A: By doing research on black inventors that I've never heard of.
Q: Why do you think it's important to commemorate Black history?
A: To bring awareness of all the contributions of African-Americans to this country.
Q: Which Black historical figure(s) do you most admire and why?
A: Malcom X, because he believed in protecting the rights of all Black Americans.
Q: A quote from a Black historical figure that resonates with you?
A: "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Q: A song from your Black History Month playlist?
A: "Fight the Power" by Public Enemy
Q: A title from your Black History Month reading list?
A: "Brainwashed" by Tom Burrell
Abigail Eiler
Title: Mother, Daughter, Sister, ashangewikwe (social worker), wiidookaagewikwe (healing helper)
Hometown: "The Magic City"
Q: What's your WHY or what keeps you motivated personally/professionally?
A: The Seven Generations, the belief that how I engage with others (what I do, what I say, how I show up) will influence the seven generations that follow me. My personal and professional motivation is rooted in my faith and the belief that positive intentions and actions will help contribute to a healthier, safer and more equitable life. My ancestors were not afforded similar opportunities and I often remind myself that "we are our ancestors' wildest dreams," and that it's something that I will never take for granted.
Q: How do you celebrate Black History Month?
A: I connect with family, read books and poems from rising Black authors, and spend time educating my children on Black history.
Q: Why do you think it's important to commemorate Black history?
A: It's essential to reflect and highlight the several accomplishments and contributions that Black folks have made in our country and across the world. As a mother, it is my responsibility to share and educate my children on Black history far beyond what any classroom can provide to them. Each year I begin with an article from The Advocate-Messenger. It discusses the emancipation history of my ancestors from slave owner John Rowe. Knowing where I come from helps guide where I am going -- and that is something to celebrate!
Q: Which Black historical figure(s) do you most admire and why?
A: 1. My father, Ron Rowe, was the first Black police officer in Hammond, Ind., in 1965. To be a Black Native officer at the height of the Civil Rights Movement took a great deal of courage and strength, something that he passed along to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
2. Booker T. Washington and Frederick Douglass. As a descendant of both, I am reminded that being an educator is an essential piece of my social fabric and that reform comes from listening, learning, planning and implementing the change that we deserve.
3. Maya Angelou and James Baldwin, both of whom contributed to my love for reading with intention. These two authors became a guide for me during my time in college, and I am forever grateful to them.
Q: A quote from a Black historical figure that resonates with you?
A: "If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, you must be the one to write it." -- Toni Morrison
Q: A song from your Black History Month playlist?
A: "I Wish I Knew" by Nina Simone
Q: A title from your Black History Month reading list?
A: "Heavy: An American Memoir" by Kiese Laymon
Brandon Willis
Title: Big Ten Intern, Jack of All Trades
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Q: What's your WHY or what keeps you motivated personally/professionally?
A: My personal motivation comes from my upbringing, my family and the experiences I had growing up in the city of Detroit, and wanting to create a platform for opportunity and exposure within my community. My professional motivation stems from my football playing career as a student-athlete since my PAL days, up until my junior year in college wanting to service and enhance the overall experience of student-athletes and evening the playing field for all.
Q: What kinds of things do you enjoy doing outside of work?
A: Travel, eat, work out; watch movies, documentaries, series.
Q: How do you celebrate Black History Month?
A: By educating my community and myself on new history learned.
Q: Why do you think it's important to commemorate Black history?
A: Because it is American history and carries the same weight of importance as any other American history that we celebrate and learn about.
Q: Which Black historical figure(s) do you most admire and why?
A: Jackie Robinson because he was a pioneer in breaking the modern day major league color barrier, really inspiring other people of color to go forth with their dreams and believe they can achieve them.
Q: A quote from a Black historical figure that resonates with you?
A: "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." -- Shirley Chisholm
Q: A song from your Black History Month playlist?
A: "The Bigger Picture" by Lil Baby
Q: A title from your Black History Month reading list?
A: "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
• BHM Voices of the Staff: Whitney Tarver
• Black History Month 2021
