Tafari N. Lumumba
“Thurgood Marshall's fight forever transformed America for those in need. I wish to have similar impact in my community by challenging institutional injustice and improving individual lives.”
- Program: 2008 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
- Resides: Denver, CO
- Hometown: Denver, CO
- Age: 24
- Four-year College or University: Colorado College
- Graduate School: Yale University
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Languages, Lawyer / Legal Scholar, Nonprofits, Writing / Journalism
- Other Interests: Film / Photography, Foreign Languages / International Study, International Relations / NGOs, Nonprofits, Writing / Journalism
Biography
PROFILE: Inspired by the legacy of Thurgood Marshall to become an attorney, Tafari Lumumba is also an accomplished writer who uses stories as a means of communicating social issues. Two of his stories were published in 2007. “I write every day and will continue to do so during law school. Writing sharpens my skills as a storyteller, and the primary responsibility of a public interest lawyer is to tell the stories of those who cannot speak for themselves.”
From the urban center of Denver where he was raised, to communities in Mexico and Guatemala where he has studied and traveled, Tafari has seen evidence of the need for better cross-cultural communication. “I studied in Oaxaca, Mexico to learn Spanish and experience the culture. While it improved my personal relationships with neighbors, one black man learning Spanish was not enough. More action was needed to stem racial tension.” Tafari hopes to start a nonprofit organization offering free and bilingual legal services to his diverse neighborhood.
INSPIRATION: Tafari credits his mother with instilling in him a positive attitude. “She said our family was not poor, for we had lives rich in possibility. Her perspective makes me believe that with a boldness of spirit, anything is possible.”
ASPIRATION: Tafari intends to become a civil rights attorney.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: A recipient of the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, Tafari traveled to Guatemala and Brazil. He has sought to learn African and Latino legends to tell children in Denver—hoping to create common bonds through the sharing of stories. He has also worked with the El Pomar Foundation.
ACCOLADES: At Colorado College, Tafari received the Dreamkeeper Award, given to the student who most impacts diversity issues. He is also a winner of the Colorado College Award for Literature, and is a member of the Blue Key Academic Honor Society, as well as Phi Beta Kappa.
INTERESTING FACT: Tafari has climbed the tallest mountain in Colorado.
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