Back in January, I wrote about how Carleton Trustee Jeninne McGee had influenced my thinking about giving an extra gift to Carleton as part of our commitment to social justice. Her long view was that Carleton is producing generations with the ability to affect their communities forever.
The proof was later presented directly to Susan and me in an inspiring program by In the Spirit of Carleton Alumni Award winner Chantel Johnson: From Gun Violence to Homesteading.
Chantel ’10 survived the impacts of gun violence and birthed Off Grid in Color, a homestead sanctuary for health and wellness with a mission to encourage others to take steps to greater self-sufficiency. For Chantel, farming and homesteading were tools for healing, and now she teaches others how to transform their pain into power.
The entire recording is worth your time. Here is a 5-minute clip from the Q&A, where Chantel spoke these words that grabbed us:
“What Carleton taught me was, when you have the economic resources, you are able to supply your community with things they need to be successful. And I only was able to obtain that, up to that point, at Carleton… All these people pouring all their love and energy into me so I can be successful.”
Our class has raised $1M to establish the Class of 1971 Endowed Scholarship for Change, which will be awarded to first-generation or low-income students who also identify as students of color or come from other underrepresented backgrounds.
Susan and I have dedicated our reunion donation toward establishing the Class of 1971 Agents of Change Fund to address issues of racism, inclusion, diversity, and equity (IDE) on campus in ways beyond financial aid. This incubator fund will inspire new initiatives that promote inclusion at Carleton and underpin the loving support Chantel felt at Carleton.
Please consider adding your support and learn about the generous match to Agents of Change gifts here.
—Charlie Quimby