Congratulations to our 2021 Community Star Award Recipient:

New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee

Racism is a problem in every community and Albuquerque is no different. We like to think that our Spanish heritage has kept our community from racism but unfortunately that is not true. The New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee (NMBCOC) helps to create awareness and generate meaningful change in our community through several initiatives this past year that include the CROWN Act, increase visibility of trans people, and increased registration for the COVID vaccine. The NMBCOC has been able to center their power to work in collaboration with the community to help us, the community, to understand what Black New Mexicans live every day. It is vital and important work.

NMBCOC has been central to leading the passing of the CROWN Act in Albuquerque – the 9^th city to pass the legislation. The ordinance not only protects people against discrimination in the workplace but also in our public schools. The CROWN Act protects people of color based on race-based hairstyles, hair texture and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and Bantu knots. This helps people of color to be able to be authentically themselves every day – something that others take for granted. The work NMBCOC does within our community will help us thrive and move forward to a place that is more accepting of diversity, more inclusive, and more equitable. And as of April 5^th, 2021 the CROWN Act has also be signed as a law in the state of New Mexico.