Bowie State University - University of Maryland Social Justice Alliance

See you this semester!

Today, and always, we remember the life and legacy of Lt. Richard W. Collins III.

Richard W. Collins III was the best of America. In high school he was a student athlete, competing in both soccer and lacrosse, and had a reputation as a servant leader both on the field and in the classroom. He was also regarded as an engaged, kind-hearted member of his church, with a congregant once remembering how compassionately he interacted with a group of deaf students on a field trip he had volunteered to go on.

Richard chose to attend Bowie State University (BSU) for college and when he joined its Army ROTC program he became the third generation of Collins men to follow a path of military service. He grew into a well-rounded young man during those years, and by his senior year, the vast potential of his military career became evident. Montrose Robinson, head of Bowie State’s ROTC recruiting, described him as “a star, a model cadet who excelled in physical training, and was an excellent student. He wanted to be a general officer, and he had what it would take to be a general.”

Richard’s commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 18, 2017 should have been just the first step on his path to making an impact on this country. But all too soon the pride his parents felt on that day turned to grief when Richard was murdered in a senseless act of hate just days later on May 20, 2017. Stabbed by a white man on the University of Maryland campus days before his college graduation ceremony, his life was stolen just as his potential was being realized.

In fact, in tribute to the strength of his character, and his heroic action in the face of terror on the night he was murdered, Lt. Collins has since been promoted to 1st Lieutenant by the US Army— a testament to fact that this nation had lost one of its best.

The legacy, light and spirit of Lt. Richard W. Collins III will forever command the mission of the Bowie State University and University of Maryland Social Justice Alliance.

We thank the 2nd Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation for their continued partnership and for continuing to share Lt. Collins’ story.

The world will know his name.

Thank you so much to our panelists! Last Friday we hosted our 6th Annual Social Justice Alliance Symposium. This year’s theme was “Lift Every Voice:’’ Artists for Social and Racial Justice.

Lift Every Voice and Sing, often referred to as “The Black National Anthem,” is a hymn of liberation and affirmation for Black communities, used as a rallying cry through pain, protest, joy, resistance, and persistence. Lift Every Voice and Sing has been an anthem of Black joy and justice performed for well over a century; it encourages us all to channel our experience into art and carry Black liberation, which is intertwined with other social justice movements, forward to new generations. By centering Lift Every Voice and Sing in our 2024 Social Justice Alliance Symposium, we commit to living the mission and vision of the SJA toward Black liberation and collective liberation - we are not free until all of us are free.

We had the honor of hearing from University President’s, the Collins’ family, members of the Social Justice Alliance and symposium panelists: Amanda Seales, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Nikkolas Smith, Laura Coates and Leon Timbo as they explored the intersections of anti-Black racism, social justice, entertainment and art.

Thank you for being in community with us.

Join the BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance and 2nd Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation for the 6th Annual SJA Symposium titled: “Lift Every Voice:’’ Artists for Social and Racial Justice on Friday, April 12th from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Doors open at 10:30am. Hear from University President’s, the Collins’ family, members of the Social Justice Alliance and symposium panelists: Amanda Seales, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Nikkolas Smith, Laura Coates and Leon Timbo as they explore the intersections of social justice, entertainment and art. The Symposium will be held at the University of Maryland’s Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, located at 7801 Alumni Dr, College Park, MD 20742.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at BSU for our annual Social Justice Workshop!

We are deeply appreciative of the time, attention, and energy poured into not just the workshop but our community as well. We hope to see you at our next event, the Lt. Collins Day of Service on Saturday, December 9th. More info to come!

You're invited to our annual Social Justice Alliance Workshop hosted by the BSU-UMD
Social Justice Alliance and 2nd Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation! The theme of this interactive workshop is “Coalition Building: Healing from the Trauma of Racism" and will be led by Dr. Tony Richard.

The BSU/UMD SJA Fall Workshop will be held on Friday, October 27th, from 10:30am to 3:30pm, in the Beacon Room in the Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing at Bowie State University. Lunch will be provided for attendees. Please RSVP by Friday, October 13th.

RSVP: go.umd.edu/SJA27

Transportation will be provided for UMD attendees. Parking instructions will be provided closer to the event.

The purpose of this workshop is to foster a creative and collaborative spirit among and between Bowie State University and the University of Maryland, by cultivating an environment where differences are used to build an inclusive community that supports the interruption of oppressive patterns, individual and collective responsibility, power sharing across social identity groups and love. This is an interactive workshop meant to spark dialogue, collaboration and understanding.
Faculty, staff and students at all levels are encouraged to attend.

If you have any questions please reach out to Victoria Alexander, [email protected]
We look forward to being in community

BSU-UMD SJA Annual Fall Workshop - “Coalition Building: Healing from the Trauma of Racism” You're invited to the annual Social Justice Fall Workshop hosted by the BSU-UMD Social Justice Alliance and 2nd Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation! The theme of this interactive workshop is “Coalition Building: Healing from the Trauma of Racism” and will be led by Dr. Tony Richard. The BSU/UM...

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NBA superstar Kevin Durant puts his name on Bowie State’s basketball court The Kevin Durant Foundation donated $500,000 to help give the Bowie State University basketball facility a total makeover.

Congratulations to the inaugural Social Justice Alliance fellows who will participate in this year’s Summer Research Initiative (SRI) at the University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS). The BSOS SRI provides rising juniors and seniors with an 8-week intensive experience to develop research skills, learn about doctoral training, and increase graduate training readiness. We welcome Brooke Mengistu (UMD ’25) and Chanel Hamilton (BSU ’24) alongside their faculty mentors and SJA members: Dr. Ayanna Lynch (BSU Faculty), Dr. Rashawn Ray (UMD Faculty), and Dr. Jeanette Snider (UMD Faculty).

Thank you to everyone who attended the 5th Annual Social Justice Alliance Symposium! Next year's symposium will be on April 19, 2024 when we focus on the intersection of Entertainment and Social Justice!

‘You Have an Influence’ At Social Justice Alliance Symposium, Athletes, Sports Leaders Discuss Their Role in Promoting Equality On and Off the Field

Y’all ready for this? On Friday, April 28th, the Bowie State University and University of Maryland Social Justice Alliance (SJA) will host our annual SJA Symposium!

This year's theme is "Take a Knee" - Pursuing Racial and Social Justice in Sports. The 2023 symposium looks to build on the legacy and momentum of the Social Justice Alliance by exploring the intersections of social justice and athletics. A panel discussion will address racial injustice and inequity and help participants develop tools and strategies to advance racial justice and healing. Campus and community leaders will also be honored at the symposium for their commitment to social justice and activism.

To register, please visit: go.umd.edu/sja2023
The registration link is also available in our bio and through screenshotting the QR code in this post.

The 2023 BSU/SJA Symposium will be held on Friday, April 28th from 10:00am to 2:30pm, at Bowie State University's Fine and Performing Arts Center, located at
14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie MD. Transportation will be provided for folks traveling from UMD's campus.
Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

The Social Justice Alliance continues to honor the legacy of BSU student 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III, who was murdered in 2017 by a UMD student.

The 2023 BSU/UMD SJA Symposium is hosted by the
BSUUMD Social Justice Alliance and the 2nd Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III Foundation


We look forward to being in community with you!

On Friday, April 28th, the Bowie State University and University of Maryland Social Justice Alliance (SJA) will host our annual SJA Symposium! This year's theme is "Take a Knee" - Pursuing Racial and Social Justice in Sports. The 2023 symposium looks to build on the legacy and momentum of the Social Justice Alliance by exploring the intersections of social justice and athletics. A panel discussion will address racial injustice and inequity and help participants develop tools and strategies to advance racial justice and healing. Campus and community leaders will also be honored at the symposium for their commitment to social justice and activism.

To register, please visit: go.umd.edu/sja2023

The registration link is also available in our bio and through screenshotting the QR code in this post.

The 2023 BSU/SJA Symposium will be held on Friday, April 28th from 10:00am to 2:30pm, at Bowie State University's Fine and Performing Arts Center, located at 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie MD. Transportation will be provided for folks traveling from UMD's campus. Continental breakfast and lunch will be served.

The Social Justice Alliance continues to honor the legacy of BSU student 1st Lt. Richard W. Collins III, who was murdered in 2017 by a UMD student.

The 2023 BSU/UMD SJA Symposium is hosted by the BSU/UMD Social Justice Alliance and the 2nd Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III Foundation

We look forward to being in community with you!

Save the date for our annual SJA Symposium! This year’s theme is "Take A Knee": Pursuing Racial & Social Justice in Sports. Food and transportation from UMD provided!

Fri, April 28, 10AM to 2:30PM
Bowie State Fine & Performing Arts Ctr
RSVP: bit.ly/sja-symposium-2023

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

[Image description: Graphic advertising the Social
Justice Alliance symposium]

Together, the BSU/UMD Social Justice Alliance, 2nd Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III Foundation and The Mission Continues will join efforts to support the incredible nonprofit Intersection of Change on their Strength 2 Love 2 Farm project! We will assist the farm with fencing, cleaning sidewalks, shelving in a trailer, and installing solar lighting if time permits. Strength 2 Love 2 Farm is one of the largest urban farms in Maryland and suppliers of fresh food in the city and we are honored to work alongside veterans and residents to advance their impactful work.

To register, please visit: https://www.missioncontinues.org/event/details/a1l8Z00000CKoTjQAL/

Wishing Lt. Richard W. Collins III a happy 29th birthday. His life was taken much too soon and yet his legacy lives on through his family, his friends, the US military and the Social Justice Alliance.

Lt. Richard W. Collins III was the best of America.

Richard attended Bowie State University (BSU) for college and when he joined its Army ROTC program, he became the third generation of Collins men to follow a path of military service. He grew into a well-rounded young man during those years, and by his senior year, the vast potential of his military career became evident.

Richard’s commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 18, 2017, should have been just the first step on his path to making an impact on this country. But all too soon the pride his parents felt on that day turned to grief when Richard was murdered in a senseless act of hate just two days later May 20, 2017. He was stabbed to death by a white man on the University of Maryland campus for no reason only days before his college graduation ceremony, his life was stolen just as his potential was being realized.

In fact, in tribute to the strength of his character, and his heroic action in the face of terror on the night he was murdered, Lt. Collins has since been promoted posthumously to rank of 1st Lieutenant by the US Army— a testament to fact that this nation had lost one of its best.

The Social Justice Alliance was forged from the trauma and pain caused by the murder of Lt. Collins. On this Veteran’s Day, and every day, we honor the legacy and life of Lt. Richard W. Collins III.

Follow the 2nd Lt. Richard W. Collins III Foundation for more.

The 2nd Lieutenant Richard W. Collins III Foundation, our partner organization, has been nominated for the Greater Washington Area 'Non-profit of the Year' Award! (Sponsored by Greater Washington Community Foundation)

To vote, please text "Vote For Collins" to 507-969-5232

Please share w your family/friends & vote by Nov 2!

Homepage - 2nd LT Richard Collins III Foundation WORKING TOWARDS A HATE-FREE, MORE JUST SOCIETY FOR ALL

Bowie State University and the University of Maryland, in collaboration with the Lt. Richard Collins, III Foundation, strives to transform our nation using evidence-based social justice models.

The Bowie State University and University of Maryland Social Justice Alliance is dedicated to eradicating the ideology of intolerance, while confronting individuals and combatting systems that normalize indifference, justify injustice, perpetuate hate and inflict violence. We are committed to inspiring, educating and empowering individuals towards ensuring social justice and equity for all. Through this alliance, the legacy, light and spirit of Lt. Richard Collins, III will forever command the mission of social justice.