Living Paul Robeson's Legacy
Summary
Prior to the official dedication of the Paul Robeson Plaza, the Division of Student Affairs at Rutgers University–New Brunswick hosted its inaugural Robeson Fest. Part of #IAmRobeson Week, Robeson Fest inspired students and community members to learn about Paul Robeson’s legacy in a fun and educational way. Led by student volunteers, faculty and staff, attendees received a passport that guided them through five tents which represented the various pillars of Robeson’s identities: global activist, scholar, actor, singer, and athlete. Attendees were also given the opportunity to sign placards denoting how they planned on living out Paul Robeson’s legacy.
Strategy
Providing coverage for the event, our video team talked to students about their placards, Robeson’s legacy, and the importance of inclusivity and representation. The video accompanied a short press release hosted on the divisional website and was distributed via student affairs’ social media channels. Underscoring the division’s core value of inclusion, a secondary cut of the video showcasing graduating seniors was shown during Rites of Passage, the university’s annual pre-commencement ceremony honoring black and Latinx-identified students.