Just a couple of weeks ago President Obama celebrated the beginning of his 2nd term as Commander-in-Chief. We also commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome. Berea College students are no strangers to political activism. In the last presidential campaign, 60% of the student body declared having some sort of political affiliation and around 85% place some trust in politics as a way to intervene and perhaps change those realities that seem unfair or unjust in our nation. It is no surprise that several of our recent graduates were actively involved as political organizers during the Obama 2012 campaign and inauguration. Here’s the experience of four Bereans.

Kurstin graduated from Berea in May of 2012 with a double major in African-American and Women and Gender studies. During her time as a student, Kurstin explored political organization by participating and planning the Berea College “chapter” of Occupy Wall Street.  Here, she helped organize a student-led trip that took a group of student activists to New York City in support of the movement. While in college, her participation was more on advocacy and policy work. After graduation, Kurstin continued to stay politically active in her local community. Through a fellowship, Kurstin worked with a neighborhood team for the Obama campaign where she made phone calls and knocked on doors. After the fellowship was over, Kurstin was asked to join the staff as a Deputy Field Organizer in the pivotal Hamilton County, Ohio. Kurstin explains “My responsibility was to make sure my team was knocking on doors, making phone calls and getting the local community excited for voting for President Obama." The positive results are evidence of the importance of hard working and passionate local organizers like Kurstin.

When Christian first came to Berea in the fall of 2006, he “knew there was no other place like it.” Christian quickly earned a reputation as a student leader and organizer at Berea. He became involved with groups like the Black Student Union (BSU) and Student Government Association (SGA) where he used his leadership positions to encourage collaboration between organizations. Motley says: “I didn’t know it at the time, but I was learning a valuable skill.  Coalition politics is the politics of the 21st century. I have had the opportunity to take the lessons that I learned at Berea, and utilize them as a political professional.” After his transformational years at the college, Christian immediately got involved in various political campaigns. He started out primarily as an organizer for races in Kentucky with the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP). And more recently, working as a field organizer in Pennsylvania for the Obama 2012 campaign.  This led to his role in helping organize the 2013 Presidential Inauguration, as a Program Coordinator for The Alumni Project. The Alumni Project encompassed all events associated with the campaign alumni, which included staff and volunteers of the Obama campaign from both 2008 and 2012. Christian states that he is happy with what he is doing and plans to do so for the rest of his life; supporting the causes that he believes in.  

Christian also serves on the Berea College Young Alumni Advisory Council and works constantly on being an active alumnus for the college and affirms that Bereans are a key part of the change of direction that society has taken. ”We are living in a time of transition in our country, where we face some of the greatest challenges of our time. It charges those of us who claim Berea’s GreatCommitments and choose to manifest them as lifelong commitments in our personal lives.  I see this as owning responsibility to make sure that people can live and work with dignity in a world that accepts and respects their value in what is quickly becoming a more global community. Bereans are greatly equipped to take part in this work, and I hope to see more of my fellow alumni involved, whether locally or on the national levels."

Enchanta accredits her experiences in the BSU and various courses at Berea College as helping her understand the importance of advocacy in politics. When Christian Motley, ’09, former classmate at Berea College, called her to ask about being a Field Organizer for the Obama for America campaign, she did not think twice. Enchanta states, “The experience was not easy. We worked seven days a week for at least 12 hours a day. I barely slept. The pay was minimal and I had no time for a social life. However, it was absolutely the best job I’ve ever had in my life. Working on the Obama for America campaign was my most fulfilling life experience because I literally served the community every day. Working as a community manager Is not easy, the days are long and the results are mainly long term." Working for the Obama Campaign, Enchanta knew that her passion in life had to do with community organizing. After the campaign, Enchanta resigned from her office job in Washington D.C. to explore her passion for political organizing. She now works as the Director of Community and Economic Development for a PA State Representative.

Triston Jones is another Berean that became involved in the presidential campaign by maintaining networks with his classmates after graduating. “I got involved with the Obama campaign when my friend Christian Motely asked me to be involved.” Triston shares, “The experience was life changing to say the least. There are people I met and still talk to on a regular basis today." For Triston, his involvement with politics also started in his college years: “I started really getting involved in politics about the middle of my sophomore year in college." The classes that Triston took at Berea and his participation in the SGA, introduced him to the world of community organization and public service.  Triston wants to pursue a career either in politics or education.  He states, ”Making a difference in people’s lives for a living gives justification for long hours and hardship on the job. I want to commit myself to a job that has significant meaning not only to me, but to others around me that will have a lasting impact.”

Whether it’s participating in a campaign for a short period of time, or working permanently in community development, Berea Alumni have a strong inclination towards service and education.   These are two values that Berea College seeks to teach and share with its students as part of its core mission, which frames this institution from its beginnings to the present day.