Bimpe Thillot: Building an Anti-Racist Future
BA in Integrative Physiology and BA in Ethnic Studies
Class of 2020
Bimpe joined the McNeill community her first semester on campus in Fall 2016. As part of the Delta Gamma sorority, Bimpe has been working from within the Greek system on campus to affect change. Bimpe’s work has allowed her to gain various leadership positions, including serving as a panhellenic representative for Delta Gamma.
As a dark skin woman, Bimpe “maneuver[s] in a country” and historically and predominantly white institution that is not always welcoming to her. To begin changing the culture of CU Boulder’s Greek system, Bimpe translated her class work on systemic racism and police brutality to presentations for her chapter on the systemic and cultural racism of the Greek system. Bimpe says, “I work on doing different, specific topics, deeply explaining” the histories and legacies of the racism “rooted in our system.” From her work both locally and nationally in Delta Gamma, Bimpe created a new leadership position: Officer of Social Awareness, which she served as. This work urges members of the Greek system to not “just hide their faults” but to acknowledge the racist parts of the culture to work and create a better, anti-racist culture.
Outside her activism and service, Bimpe has been an active member of the McNeill community. She notes without these connections, she “would not continue” in her degree or “feel like [she is] a valuable person.” In addition to the friends Bimpe made in McNeill, three of our instructional staff at McNeill had an immense impact on Bimpe. First, former math instructor Sarah Solomon opened the first class by establishing a classroom rule that “no one will talk over a woman, especially a woman of color, in [the] class.” This immediately made Bimpe feel comfortable and valued in the space. Likewise, Dr. Alec Kroll of the chemistry department, devoted extra time to ensuring Bimpe understood the class concepts, which added to his welcoming class environment. Finally, Yi Moon, Bimpe’s McNeill Coordinator, was an important support system who aided Bimpe navigate her full schedule.
Bimpe’s nominator, Sophie Low, wanted to add to the praise of her anti-racist work and note what a valuable member of our community she has been. Bimpe’s commitments to education and activism to create a more welcoming community are shared by the McNeill Program, and we are excited to see the continued effects.
From everyone at McNeill, congratulations Bimpe!
You can nominate a student for our Senior Spotlight here.