Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.
McNair Scholar and 2022 Malcolm/King Award winner Angelina Benli ’22 is fully aware of the powerful role civic engagement can have on Black communities. During an internship with former New York City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr., she witnessed how Black leaders and business owners in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant and Northern Crown Heights neighborhoods worked to uplift and support the community. Determined to do her part, Benli, who was raised in Brooklyn, hopes that her research in elections, disenfranchisement, and voter mobilization will bolster civic engagement in communities of color. “I’m invested in increasing voter turnout and civic engagement amongst young people and minority populations,” says the criminology and forensic psychology major. “There’s a real lack of civic education in this country and I believe that we have a lot at stake, especially in our local and state elections. I hope that my research can influence policy change and increase civic education for our K–12 students. When people are informed about the civic process, what steps they can take to be part of the process, and what can be done to change the conditions in our communities, that’s where real change begins.” We spoke with Benli to learn how she’s proactively supporting the Black community during Black History Month and to find out more about her future plans.
“I’m endlessly grateful for the diversity here at John Jay College. It’s meant that in every class I’m in, I’m exposed to different types of thinking informed by each individual’s lived experiences.” —Angelina Benli
What does the diversity at John Jay College mean to you and how has it impacted your educational journey?
I’m endlessly grateful for the diversity here at John Jay College. It’s meant that in every class I’m in, I’m exposed to different types of thinking informed by each individual’s lived experiences. I’m part of the McNair Scholars Program, which prepares underrepresented groups to become doctoral students. More specifically, I’m a member of the cohort of first-generation college students. I was born in Uzbekistan and raised in Brooklyn. I’m so thankful that there are programs on campus that foster this type of diversity and use it as an opportunity to uplift diverse communities and ensure their success.
How do you celebrate Black History Month and what does it mean to you to applaud the many achievements of African Americans?
I celebrate Black History Month by engaging with mutual aid projects across the city and providing direct material support to those who need it, through things like grocery distribution, filling community refrigerators, and making baby boxes for new parents. I interned for District 36 Council Member Robert E. Cornegy Jr. who represented the Bedford-Stuyvesant and Northern Crown Heights sections of Brooklyn. During that internship, one of my favorite projects was the Sharing Economy Weekend—a partnership between sharing economy, app-based business, and local brick-and-mortar businesses. Most of the businesses in the community were Black-owned, which meant that I had the opportunity to visit, try their products, and get to know the owners and their businesses. It was a wonderful opportunity. I make it a point to frequent some of my favorite businesses there to show my support for the community not just this month but all year round.
“Growing up in New York City has given me a front-row seat to the Black community’s incredible contributions to art and culture, from the street art in East New York to watching shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.” —Angelina Benli
When you think of African American history, what makes you the proudest?
The countless contributions to art, style, music, and culture make me the proudest. So much of popular culture has been influenced by Black culture, from streetwear to nail art, to the impact of Sister Rosetta Tharpe on rock and roll music. Growing up in New York City has given me a front-row seat to the Black community’s incredible contributions to art and culture, from the street art in East New York to shows at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. I’m so grateful to experience it.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
If everything goes according to plan, I will be a tenured professor in a political science department and still doing elections research. Currently, I have four fully-funded offers to start my Ph.D. in Political Science this fall at the University of Albany, Michigan State University, the University of Nebraska, and University of California, Davis. While I’m still in the process of deciding where I will be attending, I’m excited about taking all the knowledge I’ve gained at John Jay and starting a new chapter in my life.
