I want to take a moment to say “thank you” to so many of the people who have been so kind to me since my move to Camden (four and a half years ago). It’s been an incredibly important time for me — the Rutgers job has been the longest and most important of my life, I married the love of my life, I’ve become a part of the Camden community here, and, in many ways, I’ve grown up. I want to take a moment to thank so many of the folks who have opened up with me, been patient with me, and welcomed me to this community. So a few Camden thank yous:

 – thank you to Colandus “Kelly” Francis, who has become both a friend and mentor, and in doing so has taught me more about Camden than I ever thought I’d know. I think often of his (and the NAACP’s) use of the court system in difficult times. 

 – a thank you to Dr. Keith Eric Benson, whose stamina and effort in fighting against the injustice of a state takeover of the education system is an inspiration. I’ve often been tired over these last few years by the sheer height of the mountain to climb in Camden, and I look to Keith’s energy and effort. Camden’s needs more leaders like him. 

 – a thank you to Mo’Neke Ragsdale. Always a stalwart in the community, Mo’Neke most recently spoke out publicly against a billboard mocking those protesting against police brutality, and faced trolling as a result. Mo’Neke is one example of the city’s talented women of color, all the work they do in the city, and the ugliness they face in doing so. 

 – a thank you to Brian Phillips and Ana Rodriguez, my colleagues at Rutgers and some of my favorite Rutgers parents, for their eternal optimism. I can’t say I always see light and hope, and more times than I can count, one of you has brightened my day. 

  – a thank you to the best students a professor could ever ask for. Too many to name everyone, but a special thanks to my graduate assistants (Sister Anetha Perry and, before her, Dr. Rasheda Weaver). Simply, it’s a pleasure to work with you, and I’m eternally grateful for the ways you help make the work I do possible. 

 – a thank you to Jared Hunter, whose weekly column has helped keep this space fresh and exciting. 

 – a thank you to Jose Delgado, whose thoughts on local and regional politics have been critical to me as I navigate some of these political spaces. And whose sharp wit keeps me on my toes. 

 – a thank you the Sunday morning basketball crew; that’s maybe the only place in the city where I’m not a professor first. 

 – a thank you to the CamdenPopRock crew, who I count as friends. I brag always that I can walk to excellent, local live music (then play Settlers after!). 

 – a thank you to Ronsha Dickerson for her work both with the Camden Parents Union and the Camden Student Union. Students voices should be centered! And bringing Journey4Justice to Camden is a gift!

There are so many other folks to thank (Latko, Fr. Mike, Angel, Zier, the NJHI crew, Ray for his work on CBAs, Felix, Darnell, the Camden Supper Club crew, Gayle, NJ Communities United, the remnant of the CCOP organizers, my lovely wife and so many more) but I want to end with a reflection: 

I read this piece this morning on how New Jersey’s schools are the most segregated in the country. It is heartbreaking. And while there is a myriad of good research and history on the topics of modern segregation, it is living in Camden that helped me start to wrap my head around the implications of such segregation. I’ve seen the impact of stark housing segregation in everything from schools to the nonprofits sector, drug rehab to the restaurant industry. It’s become central to the ways I understand both the world and my place in it. 

Being a part of this community has opened my eyes in so many ways, on so many issues. For that, I want to say one last time “thank you.” 

(Feel free to drop your own thank yous in the comments!)