Disciplines

African American Studies

Abstract

Abstract

Interviewer: Mark Naison, Stephanie Robinson-Ramirez, Jane Kani Edward

Interviewee: Christelle Onwu

Christelle Onwu’s profound work demonstrates the importance of advocacy and research in changing policies and improving community engagement. Through her experiences with helping children through social work, she realized that the way in which she could truly make change was through policy work and reworking the cultivation of systems to ensure the success of future generations. Christelle, originally from Cameroon, arrived in the U.S. at 17 and attended John Jay College, where she excelled academically and received multiple scholarships. Through her excellence, she has been recognized as one of CUNY's alumni 50 under 50. With her determination and intelligence that paved the way of her journey, she has fostered meaningful work for the New York City Commission on Human Rights and through her advocacy for the African diaspora.

Christelle highlighted the challenges faced by African immigrants, including racial discrimination and the impact of federal policies. She emphasized the importance of policy work, community engagement, and research in addressing these issues. Onwu brings to light the importance of having conversations about race and identity to foster understanding and unity, especially in regards to the merging of the African and African American experience in the United States. With this mutual understanding, she also brings to fruition how it is essential to embrace one’s natural identity, as her refusal to fit into ‘societal boxes’ prompted the cultivation of community and advocacy in improving the lives of African and African Americans in the Bronx and New York City. Onwu even created a position as a special advisor to focus on the African community, conducting research and meetings to raise awareness.

Onwu’s advocacy, along with the immense research she has to allow for the conversations to occur signifies the true importance of her community efforts, especially in regards to African immigrants and of being of African descent in the United States. Through her personal experience, as well as creating dialogues with the experiences of others, Christelle has fostered enclaves where African communities are able to implement various programs and policies to promote their voices, especially in terms of political and economic progression. Christelle emphasizes the need for coalition building and advocacy to address the challenges faced by the African community, allowing us to see how she constructs direct action and detailed research in order to ensure that direct, consistent change can occur. Christelle Onwu’s dedication and diligence has allowed for the voices of African immigrants as well as African communities in the United States to become a part of the conversation, creating perpetual programs and policies that will continue to cultivate community for many years to come. Onwu is the impetus for direct change.

Download
COinS