Ep 32: Black Studies at CU Boulder and Beyond: Honoring Dr. Charles Nilon and Mrs. Mildred Nilon

Ep 32: Black Studies at CU Boulder and Beyond: Honoring Dr. Charles Nilon and Mrs. Mildred Nilon

Author: Dr. Reiland Rabaka April 9, 2026 Duration: 37:49

This special episode of The Cause brings listeners to a powerful moment of remembrance held on February 16, 2026, marking the installation of a Bench by the Road through the Toni Morrison Society in honor of Dr. Charles Nilon and Mrs. Mildred Nilon.

More than a commemorative event, this gathering stands as a public act of memory, recognition, and responsibility. The bench, simple in form yet profound in meaning, invites reflection on the long and often unrecognized history of Black intellectual life at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Dr. Charles Nilon, the university's first Black professor, played a foundational role in establishing the Black Studies program in 1969, helping to carve out intellectual space where none previously existed. Mrs. Mildred Nilon, the university's first Black librarian, expanded access to knowledge and ensured that the archive could speak where it had too often been silent. Together, their work helped lay the foundation for what would become a thriving and evolving field of study grounded in truth, inclusion, and transformation.

Featuring remarks from Chancellor Justin Schwartz and a powerful reflection from Dr. Reiland Rabaka, this episode moves from memory to movement, asking listeners not only to honor the past but to carry its lessons forward. It reminds us that Black Studies is not a static discipline, but a living practice rooted in struggle, shaped by community, and sustained through action.

This episode also highlights the broader significance of the Bench by the Road Project, which creates spaces for public memory and acknowledges histories that have too often gone unmarked.

See all show notes on our website


Dr. Reiland Rabaka hosts The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, a series produced in collaboration with the Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder. Each episode feels like a necessary gathering, a space where the rhythms of song, the lessons of the past, and the ongoing work of building a just society converge. You’ll hear dialogues that are both courageous and nuanced, moving beyond simple answers to examine how cultural expression and historical understanding fuel democratic engagement. This podcast is built on the conviction that art and critical thought are not separate from the fight for equity; they are its very heartbeat. Rabaka guides these explorations with a scholar’s depth and a listener’s curiosity, drawing connections between a protest anthem, a pivotal moment in history, and the contemporary struggle for racial justice. It’s an audio experience designed to provoke thought, deepen perspective, and remind us that learning itself is a form of action. Tune in for insightful reflections and powerful conversations that challenge, inspire, and underscore the interconnectedness of our cultural and political lives.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 33

The Cause:  Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy
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