The Rock Canyon POC (people of color) Empowerment Club was created this school year to give members the opportunity to voice their opinions, become more educated, and meet new people that share the same views. If you are looking to become more involved and educated on the topic of oppression and connect with others that feel the same way, consider joining the club. 

Khady Sow ‘22 started the POC Empowerment Club because of “countless amounts of micro-aggressive comments that had been said to me over the years.” She then realized that other POC students were having similar experiences, and “felt like something needed to be done about it. After that, I realized that I’m sure a lot of other students at RC were having to hear these things as well, and I felt like something needed to be done about it. I also think that with BLM, other organizations fighting for all POC, and these topics regarding race being more vocalized, I thought it was the perfect time to start a POC empowerment club.”

Sow’s goal was to educate students at RC and those in her community. “It’s so easy to become ignorant especially when being in a predominantly white area, so by being able to spread awareness and education in our community, more change can be made.”

Every student at Rock Canyon has their own stories and experiences that have shaped them as a person. Each person grows up with their own struggle, and being able to recognize that is educational and empowering. Joining the POC Empowerment club can come from wanting to be more educated on the matter, or solely based on wanting to be apart of a community. Sow founded the club with help of Leanna Navo ‘22 and Lucas Oluoch ‘22.

“Growing up in the rather homogenous community of Highlands Ranch, I’ve always noticed a difference between my classmates and me. I felt it was important that I embrace the difference with my peers and help my community understand the different experiences of people of color. The recent social climate especially provoked the club, and it felt like it was time for some empowerment for POC,” Navo said. 

During meetings, students discuss injustice in the community and school and share their own experiences, making it a great opportunity for students to learn more about the subject. To raise awareness, the club members and leaders make posters to put up in the hallways, slideshow presentations to show during seminar, and videos for the club members, to get their voices heard and inform others about the club. Students also discuss volunteer opportunities and other activities to promote the club outside of school.

The meetings are every other Monday (on different days for each cohort). They go from 3:00-3:30 in Mrs. Motz’s room, 8600. While Rock Canyon is engaged in remote learning, meetings will be on Zoom every other Monday. To join the POC Empowerment club text @rcpocemp to 81010.