>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

>> Nash: THIS WEEK ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS, ROOTED IN RESILIENCE, RISING IN UNITY.

THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW MEXICO SAYS THIS WILL BE ALBUQUERQUE'S BIGGEST JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION YET.

>> Causey: WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH AS A PEOPLE.

AND WE DON'T ALLOW ANY OF IT TO STOP US.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT OPPRESSION IS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE.

YOU TOO CAN BE RESILIENT.

>> Nash: PLUS, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET BILL WOULD STRIP ALL FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS.

NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS STARTS NOW.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

I'M NASH JONES.

RESISTANCE TO SYSTEMIC OPPRESSION.

RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF BIGOTRY.

PERSEVERANCE.

IT DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE A BATTLE.

SOMETIMES IT LOOKS LIKE A CELEBRATION.

THIS WEEK, WE'LL TAKE YOU TO THE STREETS OF ALBUQUERQUE FOR THE ANNUAL LBGTQ PRIDE PARADE.

THEN, I SIT DOWN WITH LEADERSHIP FROM THE STATE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HEAR ABOUT HOW THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY, WHICH MARKS THE END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES, IS BEING CELEBRATED LOCALLY.

LATER, WE'LL MEET DANNELLE KIRVEN THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE'S MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION.

WE'LL DIG INTO THE ORGANIZATION'S WORK AND HOW IT'S MOVING PAST A 2018 FINANCIAL SCANDAL.

BUT FIRST, ALL OF THE LOCAL TRIBAL SCHOOL'S FEDERAL FUNDING COULD BE CUT AS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET PROPOSALS BEING DEBATED IN THE SENATE FOLLOWING HOUSE APPROVAL.

THIS WEEK, SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DiVIZIO SITS DOWN WITH ROBERT MARTIN, PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS, OR IAIA, TO GET HIS PERSPECTIVE ON THEIR FUTURE AND THE PROPOSALS.

>> Lou: INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS PRESIDENT, ROBERT MARTIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Martin: YOU'RE WELCOME.

PLEASED TO BE HERE.

>> Lou: I KNOW IAIA HAS QUITE THE REPRESENTATION HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY, TOO.

BUT FOR FOLKS WHO MIGHT NOT BE OVERLY FAMILIAR, CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT DOES YOUR COLLEGE PROVIDE?

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DOES IT PROVIDE THAT NO OTHER COLLEGES DO?

>> Martin: OUR MISSION IS TO IMPACT CREATIVITY AND LEADERSHIP IN NATIVE ARTS AND CULTURES THROUGHOUT HIGHER EDUCATION, LIFELONG LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

WE'RE CONSIDERED TO BE THE BIRTHPLACE OF CONTEMPORARY NATIVE ARTS.

AND WE OFFER NOT ONLY UNDERGRADUATE BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE, BUT WE ALSO OFFER GRADUATES.

SO, WE'RE UNIQUE IN THAT REGARD.

THERE'S NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD THAT YOU COULD GO FOR THE KIND OF DEGREE THAT IS ALWAYS PRESENTED FROM AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE.

NOT ONLY DO WE OFFER THE STUDIO ARTS, BUT WE HAVE PERFORMING ARTS, FILM, MUSEUM STUDIES, INDIGENOUS LIBERATE STUDIES, AND CREATIVE WRITING.

SO, A STUDENT CAN COME HERE AND BE ABLE TO ENGAGE IN ANY OF THE ARTS AND SCHOLARSHIP FROM A NATIVE PERSPECTIVE.

AND BE ABLE TO INTERACT WITH OTHER STUDENTS THAT ARE VERY TALENTED AND CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE IN THEIR PARTICULAR AREA.

THEY MAY BE IN STUDIO ARTS.

THEY CAN COLLABORATE WITH SOMEBODY IN FILM OR CREATIVE WRITING.

SO, IT'S REALLY A UNIQUE PLACE.

IT'S A SPECIAL PLACE.

WE ALSO HAVE A MUSEUM THAT HAS THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ART IN THE WORLD.

AND THAT'S A TREASURE.

AND, OF COURSE, THAT'S PART OF OUR BUDGET TOO.

AND THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED BY ANY REDUCTION IN FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Lou: WHEN DID YOU FIRST LEARN THAT THE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE COLLEGE THAT YOU LEAD COULD BE IN JEOPARDY?

>> Martin: WE HAD BEEN HEARING RUMORS FOR SOME TIME SINCE APRIL THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS WANTING TO ZERO US OUT.

BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT THEY WERE.

AND WE DID APPEAL THAT DECISION.

AND WE NEVER GOT A RESPONSE ON IT.

AT THAT POINT, WE STARTED PREPARING FOR THIS POSSIBILITY AND WE WERE MEETING WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AS WELL AS THE APPROPRIATION STAFF FOR BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT.

AND THEY ALL ASSURED US THAT WE WOULD HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

HOWEVER, AS YOU CAN SEE WITH RECONCILIATION AND WHAT'S GOING ON, IT'S GOING TO DELAY, I THINK, THE MARKUPS FROM THE INTERIOR, ESPECIALLY IN THE HOUSE AND ESPECIALLY IN THE SENATE.

IT MAY BE SOMETIME BEFORE WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT CONGRESS INTENDS TO DO AND THE BIG QUESTION IS HOW MUCH FUNDING IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERIOR BUDGET.

>> Lou: WHAT HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS BEEN LIKE?

HAVE LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE BEEN RECEPTIVE?

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THEY REALLY DO SEE FUNDING YOUR COLLEGE AS A PRIORITY?

>> I THINK THEY DO.

THAT'S WHAT THEY CONVEYED TO US OVER AND OVER.

IN FACT, SOMETIMES WE GET A LITTLE ANNOYED WHEN THEY GET CALLS FROM PEOPLE ASKING ABOUT THE INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY THINK THAT THEY'RE ASSOCIATED WITH THE INSTITUTION OR BOARD OR WHATEVER.

BUT WE'VE BEEN ASSURED AND WE'RE CONFIDENT.

THE CHALLENGE THOUGH IS SO MANY PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN EITHER ELIMINATED OR THE FUNDING HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY REDUCED.

WHILE WE WERE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF MEETING WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND OUR OTHER SUPPORTERS IN CONGRESS, WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WERE GOING TO BE ZEROED OUT AS WELL.

>> Lou: OKAY -- >> Martin: THAT RAISES MORE PRESSURE ON THE INTERIOR SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE BUDGET, ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE SIDES TO FIND THE FUNDS TO RESTORE PEOPLE TO THEIR LEVEL FUNDING OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

>> Lou: COULD YOU GIVE PEOPLE AN IDEA OF WHAT A CUT OF THAT MAGNITUDE, 100% OF FEDERAL FUNDING, MORE THAN $13 MILLION ANNUALLY, WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR THE COLLEGE?

COULD IT STILL FUNCTION AS IT DOES NOW?

>> Martin: NO.

IT COULD NOT.

WE WOULD HAVE TO ELIMINATE SOME PROGRAMS.

OUR STUDENTS, WE'VE GOT OVER 850 STUDENTS THAT WOULD BE WITHOUT A PLACE TO CONTINUE THEIR POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION WITH PLAN TO ATTEND.

AND SO WE KNOW, JUST THE PROPOSAL -- EVEN THOUGH WE'VE EMPHASIZED WITH THE FACULTY STAFF AND STUDENTS THIS IS JUST A PROPOSAL FROM THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S THE CONGRESS WHO ENACTS THE BUDGET.

BUT THE LONGER THIS GOES ON WITHOUT DEFINITE WORD OR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT OUR FUNDING IS GOING TO BE, I KNOW IT'S GOING TO IMPACT OUR RETENTION RATES FOR NOT ONLY FACULTY AND STAFF, BUT FOR STUDENTS.

WE'RE ALREADY HEARING FROM PARENTS.

WE'RE HEARING FROM STUDENTS, "ARE YOU GOING TO BE OPEN?"

WE ASSURE THEM THAT WE WILL.

BECAUSE WE'RE CONFIDENT THAT CONGRESS IS GOING TO HONOR THEIR TREATY AND TRUST RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BECAUSE WE'VE CEDED MILLIONS OF ACRES OF LAND AND IN RETURN WE'RE GUARANTEED CERTAIN RIGHTS.

A RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION.

AND WE THINK THAT CONGRESS WILL HONOR THAT OBLIGATION.

>> Lou: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, OF COURSE, HAS TRUST RESPONSIBILITIES TO TRIBAL NATIONS.

HOW ARE THOSE INFORMING THOSE CUTS, IF AT ALL?

>> Martin: I THINK THEY'VE DISREGARDED THEM, OR THE PRESIDENT HAS.

BUT I THINK CONGRESS -- WE'RE RELYING ON THEM TO UPHOLD THEIR LEGAL AND MORAL OBLIGATIONS FOR THE TRUST RESPONSIBILITY AND WHAT PROMISES WERE MADE WITH TREATIES.

BUT OF COURSE, WE KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN BROKEN PROMISES IN THE PAST.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE.

BUT OUR ANCESTORS WENT THROUGH THIS YEARS AGO, AND THEY HAD TO SACRIFICE A LOT, BUT THEY PERSISTED AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING.

WE REALIZE WE'RE IN FOR A BATTLE.

BUT WE'RE PREPARED FOR IT.

AND WE'RE GOING TO PERSIST UNTIL WE SUCCEED.

>> Lou: YOU MENTION MORAL OBLIGATIONS AS WELL AS THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS OF THOSE TRUSTS.

DO YOU THINK THIS SITUATION WILL DAMAGE ANY PROGRESS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES?

>> Martin: IT CERTAINLY COULD.

I KNOW THAT I SAT IN ON A CONSULTATION MEETING OF BIE, BUREAU OF INDIAN EDUCATION, AND WE HEARD FROM TRIBAL LEADERS ACROSS THE NATION CONCERNED ABOUT THE BUDGET CUTS, ELIMINATION OF PROGRAMS.

SO WE'RE FEELING THE EFFECTS ALREADY.

WE'RE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO BE ORGANIZED AND STAND UP FOR OUR RIGHTS AND WHAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Lou: YOU SPOKE A LITTLE BIT EARLIER ABOUT THIS AFFECTING RETENTION RATES.

WHAT HAVE YOU TOLD YOUR STUDENTS THAT ARE ENROLLED RIGHT NOW?

SHOULD THEY PREPARED FOR ANYTHING?

SHOULD THEY BE THINKING ABOUT THEIR FUTURE IN A WAY THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEFORE?

>> Martin: WE ARE ADVISING OUR STUDENTS AND EVEN THOSE STUDENTS THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR ADMISSION AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL BE ATTENDING HERE, WE'RE TELLING THEM WE BELIEVE FIRMLY, AND WE'RE CONFIDENT, THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OPEN IN THE FALL.

AND WE'RE TELLING THEM TO PLAN TO BE HERE.

BUT WE EXPLAINED THE SITUATION THAT IT'S A PROPOSED BUDGET.

BUT WE'VE BEEN ASSURED BY CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND OTHERS IN CONGRESS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE FUNDED.

SO, I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL.

AND I'M VERY CONFIDENT IN ASSURING OUR STUDENTS IN WRITING THAT WILL BE THE CASE.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE CAN TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED IN TERMS OF OUR WORK.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH OUR VARIOUS TRIBAL LEADERS THAT ARE SUPPORTIVE.

THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION THAT ACCREDITS US, THEY'RE GOING TO WRITE A LETTER OF SUPPORT.

THE STATE WILL.

SO WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE CONTINUING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE INFLUENCING OUR SUPPORTERS IN CONGRESS FOR FUNDING.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE TELLING OUR STUDENTS AND FACULTY AND STAFF THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO -- WHEN EVERYTHING IS SAID AND DONE, WE'LL BE OPEN FOR CLASSES IN THE FALL.

>> Lou: OKAY.

IF THESE CUTS DO GO THROUGH, WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS TO SECURE FUNDING AND BRIDGE THAT GAP FROM THE FEDERAL LOSSES?

>> Martin: WELL, I THINK WE'RE ALWAYS FUND-RAISING HERE.

AND EVEN WHEN WE RECEIVE OUR FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT SAYS WE'RE EXPECTED TO GO OUT AND FUND RAISE FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

SO WE'VE ALWAYS DONE THAT.

AND WE'LL CERTAINLY CONTINUE THAT.

AND MAYBE INCREASE OUR EFFORTS IN FUND-RAISING.

AND WE KNOW THAT IF WE APPROACH OUR FUNDERS AND SAY -- BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS, WE KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE RESPONSIVE TO -- TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST AND PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS.

THEY'VE PROVIDED SOME OPERATIONAL SUPPORT.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO INCREASE THAT.

SO, WE'RE IN A PROCESS OF DOING THAT AS WELL.

WE'RE NOT RELYING EXCLUSIVELY ON FEDERAL FUNDING, BUT OF COURSE, WE THINK THEY HAVE, AGAIN, A RESPONSIBILITY, MORAL OBLIGATION, LEGAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE FOR OUR OPERATIONAL FUNDING.

AND WE CAN CERTAINLY -- FUND RAISE TO ENHANCE OUR MISSION AND PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE OFFERING AND INCREASING ENROLLMENT AND BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND IN THE WORLD.

BUT WE NEED THAT CORE FUNDING, TO HELP US TO BE ABLE TO GO FORWARD AND I KNOW THAT THE HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION LOOKS AT YOUR CORE FUNDING.

IF YOU'RE TUITION-DEPENDENT, THOSE ARE THE INSTITUTIONS THAT MANY OF THEM HAD TO CLOSE WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION LANDSCAPE.

>> Lou: ARE YOU OR YOUR LEGAL ADVISORS CONSIDERING ANY LEGAL ACTION IF THESE CUTS GO THROUGH?

>> Martin: I THINK THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAS DISCUSSED THAT ALREADY.

AND I THINK THAT'S CERTAINLY AN OPTION.

BOTH FOR THE BOARD AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Lou: MY FINAL THOUGHT HERE.

WHAT INFLUENCE DOES IAIA HAVE ON THE BROADER -- INDIGENOUS CULTURE, BUT CULTURE MORE BROADLY HERE IN NEW MEXICO?

>> Martin: I THINK ANYWHERE THAT YOU SEE CONTEMPORARY NATIVE ART THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME CONNECTION TO THE INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS.

IN TERMS OF OUR ALUMS OR FACULTY OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

BUT WE'RE SUPPORTED BY A NUMBER OF FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS LONG-TERM BECAUSE THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK.

THEY DID THEIR RESEARCH.

AND -- EVERYWHERE THEY WENT, THERE WAS SOME CONNECTION, SOME MENTION OF THE INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS.

SO, THEY'VE BEEN -- A LOT OF THOSE FOUNDATIONS AND CORPORATIONS CONTINUE TO FUND US.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE IMPACT THAT WE HAD.

I THINK THAT REALLY CAME TO FRUITION WHEN LAST SUMMER -- VENICE BIENNALE, JEFFREY GIBSON WAS SELECTED AS THE FIRST SOLO, INDIGENOUS ARTIST.

AND WE WERE SELECTED AS ONE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS.

AND SENT OUR MFA PROGRAM IN STUDIO ARTS THERE TO COLLABORATE WITH JEFFREY.

AND HE SPOKE TO THE STUDENTS.

AND THEY HAD A PUBLIC PRESENTATION.

AND THAT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS.

TO BE ABLE TO NOT ONLY PARTICIPATE IN VENICE BIENNALE, BUT TO HOLD THEIR RESIDENCY THERE FOR OVER A WEEK.

WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN AND YOU SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THEIR WORK ONCE THEY'VE ATTENDED THE VENICE BIENNALE AND EXPOSED TO SO MUCH CONTEMPORARY ART THERE.

ESPECIALLY IN THIS CASE CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS ART.

>> Lou: IAIA PRESIDENT ROBERT MARTIN, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING WITH ME TODAY.

>> Martin: THANK YOU, LOU.

>> Kirven: I HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE UPHOLDING OF DOCTOR KING'S PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE PAUSE HOW MY LIFE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE.

WHETHER THAT BE BY GUN VIOLENCE OR PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.

SO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUTH AND OTHER NEW MEXICANS ARE GETTING EDUCATION AROUND THOSE PRINCIPLES, AND ALSO GETTING EDUCATION AROUND THE WORK AND LEGACY OF DR. KING.

I PERSONALLY THINK DR. KING'S WORK IS GOING TO BE A BLUEPRINT FOR OBSTACLES THAT COMMUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO MIGHT FACE.

>> Nash: STAY TUNED FOR THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE NEW HEAD OF THE NEW MEXICO MLK, JR. COMMISSION IN JUST 15 MINUTES.

JUNETEENTH HAS BEEN A STATE HOLIDAY SINCE 2006.

THE CELEBRATION, WHICH TAKES PLACE EVERY YEAR ON JUNE 19th, BECAME A FEDERAL HOLIDAY IN 2021.

IT COMMEMORATES THE DAY IN 1865 THAT MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, WORD REACHED GALVESTON, TEXAS THAT ALL ENSLAVED PEOPLE WERE FREE.

THE HOLIDAY WAS CELEBRATED HERE IN NEW MEXICO LONG BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZED IT THOUGH.

GROWING FROM SMALL BACKYARD GATHERINGS TO HUGE PARTIES IN THE PARK, AND THIS YEAR, THE STATE'S BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS IT HOPES TO THROW THE BIGGEST NEW MEXICO JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION YET IN DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE ALONGSIDE OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE.

I SAT DOWN WITH THE CHAMMER'S PRESIDENT KARLA CAUSEY, AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER BEVERLY GAINES TO LEARN WHAT THIS YEAR'S CELEBRATION WILL LOOK LIKE.

KARLA CAUSEY, BEVERLY GAINES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> Causey: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> Nash: FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION, THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW MEXICO, I WAS WONDERING, KARLA, IF YOU WOULD SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE MISSION AND THE WORK YOU DO.

>> Causey: YES, THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE ONLY FOR SIX YEARS.

I'VE BEEN THE PRESIDENT FOR THE LAST THREE.

AND I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BLACK TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHAMBER.

SO, WE LOVE TO HAVE EVERYBODY.

OUR MISSION IS TO DEVELOP AND EMPOWER SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR BLACK UNDER-ENGAGED, UNDER-RESOURCED, UNDERSERVED BUSINESSES WITHIN THE ENTIRE STATE OF NEW MEXICO.

>> Nash: ONE OF THE EVENTS THAT YOU DO IS JUNETEENTH.

AND THAT'S COMING UP.

THE CHAMBER HAS BEEN A PART OF PLANNING JUNETEENTH FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

JUNE 19th HAS BEEN A STATE HOLIDAY SINCE 2006.

IT'S BEEN A FEDERAL HOLIDAY SINCE 2021.

I IMAGINE A LOT OF FOLKS OUTSIDE OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY WHO ARE PREVIOUSLY UNFAMILIAR WITH IT HAVE KIND OF CAUGHT UP BY NOW.

BUT BEVERLY -- AND YOU'RE THINKING MAYBE NOT.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR TAKE ON WHAT CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Gaines: WELL, I REALLY -- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT BECAUSE JUNETEENTH IS TO COMMEMORATE THE END OF SLAVERY IN OUR COUNTRY.

BUT WHEN YOU SAID THAT SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW AND SOME PEOPLE MAY.

I'M ORIGINALLY NOT FROM HERE.

SO THEN, I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH JUNETEENTH UNTIL I MOVED TO ALBUQUERQUE.

THAT'S WHEN I BEGAN TO FIND OUT ABOUT JUNETEENTH AND WHAT IT MEANT.

SO, WE'RE EXCITED BECAUSE EVERY YEAR WE WORK WITH VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS ALBUQUERQUE TO PUT ON JUNETEENTH TO CELEBRATE THE END OF SLAVERY AND TO BE ABLE TO EDUCATE NOT ONLY THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW BUT OUR YOUTH AS WELL SO THEY CAN BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THE CELEBRATION IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Nash: KARLA, I KNOW YOU'VE ONLY BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR THREE YEARS, BUT JUNETEENTH HAS BEEN CELEBRATED FOR DECADES HERE IN NEW MEXICO.

HOW HAS THE CELEBRATION -- HOW HAS THE EVENT CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

>> Causey: I THINK IT'S CHANGED BECAUSE BEFORE IT WAS MORE LIKE A REUNION KIND OF THING.

A PICNIC KIND OF THING.

WE WERE IN THE PARKS.

WE WERE DOING THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

WE, NOW, HAVE SWITCHED THE FOCUS.

WE'RE STILL CELEBRATING, BUT WE'RE DOING A LOT OF EDUCATING AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT JUNETEENTH IT'S SOMETHING THAT STARTED IN TEXAS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT BEING FREE UNTIL MUCH LATER.

AND THAT'S HOW JUNETEENTH CAME ABOUT.

SO, IT STARTED IN TEXAS.

SO, WE JUST REALLY TRY TO PROMOTE IT AND PROMOTE IT NOT JUST TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY BUT WE TRY TO PROMOTE IT TO ALL COMMUNITIES SO WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER.

AND WE CAN CELEBRATE FREEDOM TOGETHER.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS HAD SOME SORT OF THING THAT HAS HELD THEM DOWN.

SO, OUR WHOLE THING IS TO ENCOURAGE THEM THAT NO MATTER WHAT HAS HELD YOU DOWN IN THE PAST, YOU CAN BE FREE FROM IT AND YOU CAN CELEBRATE YOUR FREEDOM.

>> Nash: SO SHOWING UP FOR ALL OPPRESSED PEOPLE -- >> Causey: ALL PEOPLE.

>> Nash: LAST YEAR, WE HELD A PANEL FOR JUNETEENTH ON THIS SHOW OF BLACK COMMUNITY LEADERS.

SOME OF THE PANEL MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF JUNETEENTH.

NOW THAT IT IS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY, NOW THAT SOME OF THE EVENTS ARE GOVERNMENT-SANCTIONED, CITY-SANCTIONED EVENTS, IS THAT CONCERN SOMETHING YOU HOLD AT ALL?

>> Causey: YOU KNOW, I DO SOME COMMERCIALIZATION OF IT.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'RE NOT ACTUALLY HAVING IT ON THE ACTUAL HOLIDAY.

SO, WE'RE HAVING IT EARLY SO WE CAN SIT AND TALK AND WE CAN EDUCATE.

AND WE CAN DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

AND THEN, WHAT HAPPENS ON THE ACTUAL DAY, WHICH IS THE 19th, TO ME THAT HAS BECOME MORE COMMERCIALIZED.

SO, WE TRY TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE COMMERCIALIZATION AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THE ROOT OF IT.

WHERE IT CAME FROM, WHY IT EXISTS, WHY IT'S STILL IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE FIND PEOPLE -- NOW WE'RE FIGHTING ABOUT WHY WE HAVE THIS FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

AND THEY WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE IT AWAY.

OUR JOB AND OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF IT.

ALL OF US ARE FREE, OR NONE OF US ARE FREE.

SO, OUR MISSION IS TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE REALIZE YOU MAY NOT BE BLACK, BUT IF YOU'RE NOT FREE, THEN WE'RE ALL SUFFERING FROM IT.

AND WE WANT EVERYBODY TO ENJOY THEIR FREEDOM.

WHATEVER IT IS GOING THROUGH IN LIFE.

>> Gaines: I WAS GOING TO SAY I WOULD LIKE TO THAT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CELEBRATION, CELEBRATION FOR ALL PEOPLE.

NO MATTER -- YEAH, WE'RE CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH AND IT'S FOR THE EMANCIPATION OF SLAVERY ENDING.

HOWEVER, AS KARLA WAS SAYING, EVERYBODY HAS SOME KIND OF OPPRESSION.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RACE IS, MOST PEOPLE HAVE HAD SOME KIND.

TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AS ONE AND TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE, THAT'S WHAT IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT.

BECAUSE WE'RE NOT WHERE WE USED TO BE.

BUT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S VERY EXCITING TO NOT ONLY BE A PART OF THAT, BUT TO BE ABLE TO TEACH THAT.

ESPECIALLY TO TEACH THAT TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

AS THEY BEGIN TO MOVE FORWARD, THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SHOULDERS OF WHICH THEY STAND ON.

>> Nash: THIS YEAR'S EVENT IS AIMING TO BE THE LARGEST YET.

WITH 6,000 TO 10,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.

THAT COMPARED TO MORE LIKE 4,000 IN PAST YEARS.

IS THAT GROWTH -- IS THAT ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AROUND THE AWARENESS OF THE HOLIDAY INCREASING?

IS IT ABOUT CAPACITY GROWING?

WHY ARE YOU IN A POSITION NOW TO GROW THIS?

>> Gaines: I THINK IT'S ABOUT BOTH.

I THINK THAT IT'S ABOUT THE EDUCATION AND THE AWARENESS ABOUT JUNETEENTH AND WHAT IT'S REALLY ALL ABOUT THAT'S ALLOWING PEOPLE ACROSS ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO COUNTY, AND OTHERS, TO BE ABLE TO LEARN MORE AND SAY I WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT.

BECAUSE THIS IS A TIME OF CELEBRATION.

AND I THINK IN REGARDS TO CAPACITY, I THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING INTO ALBUQUERQUE AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

SO, THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT IT AND SAY, HEY, I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS.

LIKE MYSELF.

I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT.

I SEE IT EVERYWHERE.

I THINK THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE A GOOD EVENT FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

LET US GO OUT AND SEE WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

I THINK THAT'S WHY THE GROWTH IS REALLY HAPPENING BECAUSE OF BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY CAN BE EDUCATED, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR RACE OR COLOR OR CREED IS.

EVERYBODY CAN BE EDUCATED.

AND WE KNOW EDUCATION IS KEY.

>> Causey: I THINK ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS WE'VE DONE IS WE HAVE REALLY OPENED OUR COLLABORATION.

SO, WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAVE ALSO SUFFERED.

LIKE THE NEW MEXICO HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AND INTOLERANCE MUSEUM, THEY'RE GOING TO BE THERE.

AND THEY'RE BRINGING A LOT OF DIFFERENT DISPLAYS AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

SO, OUR COLLABORATION AND OUR REACH HAS GONE FURTHER BECAUSE AS WE SAID OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED AS WELL.

AND WE'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT WE'RE ALL FREE TOGETHER.

SO, THEREFORE, WE CAN CELEBRATE TOGETHER.

>> Nash: AND POTENTIALLY RESILIENT AS WELL.

THIS YEAR'S THEME IS ROOTED IN RESILIENCE, RISING IN UNITY.

KARLA, CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT MEANS TO YOU?

>> Causey: I THINK WHAT IT MEANS TO ME IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH AS A PEOPLE.

AND WE DON'T ALLOW ANY OF IT TO STOP US.

SO, WE HAVE SEEN A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO WERE STRIPPED FROM THEIR LAND, STRIPPED FROM THEIR LANGUAGES.

THEY TRIED TO BREAK US.

BUT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

AND WE KEPT BEING RESILIENT.

AND WE KEPT RISING.

BECAUSE OF THAT, WE'RE TRYING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT OPPRESSION IS HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE, YOU, TOO, CAN BE RESILIENT.

AND ONCE YOU'RE RESILIENT THEN YOU CAN'T STAY WHERE YOU ARE.

IT'S TIME TO RISE AND IT'S TIME TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

SO, I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

OKAY, WE WERE HERE.

NOW WE'RE RISING TO HERE.

HOW CAN WE HELP PULL SOMEBODY ELSE UP?

AND THAT IS OUR JOB.

IT'S TO PULL SOMEBODY ELSE UP.

>> Gaines: ABSOLUTELY.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT RESILIENCE, MOVING FORWARD, KEEP MOVING.

JUST LIKE KARLA WAS SAYING.

BASED ON OPPRESSION OF SO MANY, I THINK THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY'VE CONTINUED TO PERSEVERE.

WE'VE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD THROUGH EVERYTHING.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE MAIN THING.

AND BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE THAT, I THINK THAT NOW WE CAN RISE TO THE OCCASION OF UNDERSTANDING.

IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE BECAUSE LIKE SHE SAID, WE WERE ONCE HERE, NOW WE'RE HERE.

AND BRING UNITY AMONG OTHERS TO SAY, YEAH, I'M SURE YOU HAVE DEPRESSION AND OPPRESSION AND ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF THING AS WELL.

BUT YOU'RE RISING TOO, AND YOU CAN RISE AND WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER.

WE CAN DO IT IN UNITY.

I THINK THAT IS THE KEY THAT NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE THAT WE'RE ROOTED IN RESILIENCE.

BUT WE'RE RISING IN UNITY TOGETHER AS A PEOPLE.

>> Nash: I APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH.

WHAT ELSE CAN SOMEBODY WHO IS PLANNING TO ATTEND THE EVENT THIS WEEKEND EXPECT?

>> Gaines: THEY CAN EXPECT FOOD TRUCKS.

EVERYBODY HAS TO EAT, RIGHT?

SO, WE'RE HAVING WONDERFUL FOOD.

ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD.

SO, WE'LL HAVE FOOD TRUCKS OUT THERE.

WE'LL ALSO HAVE A THREE ON THREE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT WITH MR. KENNY THOMAS.

AND HE'S ORCHESTRATING THAT WITH COMMUNITY.

I THINK WE HAVE 26 TEAMS.

THEY'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THAT'S GOING TO BE FUN AS WELL.

AND LIKE I SAID PREVIOUSLY, WE'LL HAVE THE TEEN CORNER, THE KIDS CORNER.

THE KIDS CORNER IS GOING TO BE WORKING WITH EXPLORA AND SOME OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Nash: THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM.

>> Gaines: UH-HUH.

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AS WELL.

AND SO, WE'LL HAVE THE GOSPEL SHOWCASE, WHICH IS GOING TO BE FUN.

EVERYBODY LOVES GOSPEL.

IT'S GOOD FOR THE SOUL.

SO, WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST.

PASTOR GREG HUNTER AND THE OLIVET INSTITUTIONAL CHOIR OUT OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

AS WELL AS SOME LOCAL GUESTS.

AND THEN, WE'LL HAVE LOCAL ARTISTS ON THE BIG STAGE AS WELL.

AND OUR SPECIAL GUEST, OF COURSE, WILL BE BOBBY V FOR LATER ON THAT AFTERNOON.

SO, THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.

WE'LL HAVE THE EDUCATION CLASS THAT'S GOING TO BE SPONSORED BY THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WHERE WE'LL BE DOING DIFFERENT CLASSES AND HAVE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS COMING IN AND TALKING TO OUR SMALL BLACK BUSINESSES.

SO, IT'S JUST A LOT OF GREAT THINGS.

AND WE HAVE VENDORS.

VENDORS, VENDORS.

WE HAVE ALMOST OVER A HUNDRED VENDORS RIGHT NOW THAT WILL BE AT THE EVENT SELLING, INFORMATIONAL, YOU NAME IT, WE'LL HAVE IT.

>> Nash: OKAY, ALBUQUERQUE ISN'T THE -- I MEAN THIS IS A HUGE EVENT THAT'S HAPPENING IN ALBUQUERQUE.

BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY EVENT HAPPENING OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ACROSS THE STATE.

CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE ELSE ARE FOLKS ARE FINDING JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION?

>> Gaines: SURE.

ON JUNE 21st, RIO RANCHO WILL BE HAVING THEIR JUNETEENTH, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, SPONSORED BY NAACP OF RIO RANCHO.

OF COURSE, THE CITY COUNCILORS AND THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S GOING TO BE FROM 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE VENDORS.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE DANCING.

AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE FOOD AND THINGS AS WELL.

I'M SURE EDUCATIONAL PIECES.

>> Nash: THAT'S RIO RANCHO.

WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE?

>> Gaines: WE HAVE THE ONE IN SANTA FE THAT'S GOING TO BE HELD ON THE 14th ALSO.

AND THEN THERE'S ONE THAT'S GOING TO BE HELD IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO.

SO, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT ONES.

ONE IN HOBBS.

WE KNOW THERE'S ONE -- >> Nash: I THINK LAS CRUCES HAS ONE.

>> Gaines: LAS CRUCES HAS ONE.

SO, THERE'S SEVERAL DIFFERENT ONES ACROSS THE STATE THAT WILL BE CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH.

>> Nash: GREAT.

KARLA, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE OUR VIEWERS WITH WHO ARE CONSIDERING ATTENDING JUNETEENTH OR CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH IN THEIR OWN WAY?

>> Causey: YOU KNOW, WE DON'T JUST GO OUTSIDE OF NEW MEXICO, BUT WE PROMOTE FROM WITHIN.

BECAUSE WE TRY TO KEEP ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY IN NEW MEXICO.

SO, THEN WE'LL BE ABLE TO SEE A LOT OF LOCAL ARTISTS.

AND A LOT OF THINGS.

PEOPLE WILL BE SELLING JEWELRY.

THEY WILL BE PROVIDING LOTS OF INFORMATION.

WE EVEN HAVE A HEALING ROOM THAT WILL BE THERE.

WE HAVE A HEALTH SEGMENT THAT IS SET UP.

SO WE ARE WORKING WITH THE DIFFERENT HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS HERE TO TALK ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO STAY HEALTHY.

AND WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF DISEASES THAT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE BLACK COMMUNITY LIKE DIABETES AND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

SO, WE WANT TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THOSE BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE WHOLE PERSON.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE SHARE AT THE CHAMBER IS IT'S ALL OF THE PIECES THAT FIT TOGETHER.

SO, WE WANT THEM TO COME OUT.

YOU COME OUT, YOU COME OUT, YOU LEARN SOMETHING.

AND ALL OF US JOIN TOGETHER.

THEN WE MAKE A WHOLE PUZZLE OF SOMETHING GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Nash: KARLA CAUSEY, BEVERLY GAINES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> Causey: THANK YOU.

>> Gaines: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> SPECTATOR: IT WAS SO MUCH FUN.

WE HAVE HAD SO MANY YEARS OF PROTESTS AND ARGUMENT THAT HELP ALLOWS US TO DO THIS.

I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> SPECTATOR: SO MANY COOL PEOPLE.

SO MUCH -- EVERYONE IS SO PRETTY.

SO COOL.

EVERYBODY GETS TO JUST LET IT ALL OUT AND JUST EXPRESS THEMSELVES.

>> Nash: WE'LL TAKE YOU DOWN CENTRAL AVENUE DURING ALBUQUERQUE'S PRIDE PARADE IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES.

THANK YOU TO KARLA CAUSEY AND BEVERLY GAINES.

FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THIS YEAR JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION VISIT BCCOFNM.ORG/JUNETEENTH.

ANOTHER WITH THE COMMISSION OF FURTHERING THE CAUSES AND CULTURE OF BLACK NEW MEXICANS HAS A NEW LEADER.

DANNELLE KIRVEN WAS JUST NAMED THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LOCAL MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION IN APRIL.

NOW, SENIOR PRODUCER LOU DiVIZIO SITS DOWN WITH KIRVEN TO TALK ABOUT HER VISION FOR THE ORGANIZATION THIS YEAR AND BEYOND.

>> Lou: DANNELLE KIRVEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME ON NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS.

>> Kirven: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Lou: OF COURSE.

NOW, THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION ITS BEEN AROUND THE 90s IN NEW MEXICO.

FOR VIEWERS WHO MIGHT NOT BE COMPLETELY FAMILIAR, WHAT IS THE COMMISSION'S ROLE AROUND MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, BUT ALSO THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TOO?

>> Kirven: THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

SO, THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. STATE COMMISSION IS TASKED WITH UPHOLDING HIS PRINCIPLES, EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON HIS LEGACY, AS WELL AS EMPHASIZING HIS PRINCIPLES OF NON-VIOLENCE THROUGH CELEBRATION, REMEMBRANCE AND ACTION.

OUR VISION HAS THREE MAIN COMPONENTS.

COLLABORATION, COORDINATION, AND COOPERATION TO CARRY OUT THE COMMISSION'S MISSION AND VISION.

AND THAT INCLUDES HOSTING PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT ALIGN WITH DR. KING'S LEGACY.

AND HIS IDEALS OF NON-VIOLENCE AS WELL AS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE ALSO DOING THAT WORK.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, YOU'RE THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR VISION FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

>> Kirven: ABSOLUTELY.

SO, I'M FROM CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO.

I GRADUATED FROM CLOVIS HIGH SCHOOL IN 2015.

WE JUST CELEBRATED OUR 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.

I WENT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO IN 2015 EARLY IN THE SUMMER WITH A SUMMER BRIDGE PROGRAM WITH UNM'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENT SERVICES.

I TRANSITIONED INTO A PROFESSIONAL ROLE IN MY FINAL SEMESTER AT THE UNIVERSITY WITH THAT SAME BLACK CULTURAL CENTER.

AND THEN, I WORKED THERE PROFESSIONALLY UP UNTIL APRIL OF THIS YEAR.

SO, MY VISION IS SUPPORTED BY THE VISION OF THE COMMISSIONERS WHO HAVE A FOCUS ON TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND COMPLIANCE.

I'M ALSO DIRECTLY INTERESTED IN IMPACTING AREAS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND ENSURING THAT COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE GETTING RESOURCES FROM THE COMMISSION.

I HAVE A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE UPHOLDING OF DOCTOR KING'S PRINCIPLES OF NON-VIOLENCE BECAUSE OF HOW MY LIFE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE.

WHETHER THAT BE GUN VIOLENCE OR PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUTH AND OTHER NEW MEXICANS ARE GETTING EDUCATION AROUND THOSE PRINCIPLES.

AND ALSO GETTING EDUCATION AROUND THE WORK AND LEGACY OF DR. KING.

I PERSONALLY THINK DR. KING'S WORK IS GOING TO BE A BLUEPRINT FOR SOME OBSTACLES THAT COMMUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO MIGHT FACE.

>> Lou: SURE.

WHAT DO THOSE RESOURCES LOOK LIKE?

WAS DOES THAT EDUCATION LOOK LIKE IN THESE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES?

>> Kirven: ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK ONE WAY THE EDUCATION LOOKS IS THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE.

SO, BEING PROVIDED SESSIONS THAT ARE GOING TO ALIGN WITH SOME OF THE WORK OF DR. KING AND DRAW DIRECTLY FROM HIS THEMES AS WELL AS ALLOW AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MEET EACH OTHER AND SHARE RESOURCES.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE COMMISSION IS LOOKING TO HOST A STATEWIDE COMMUNITY MEETING, WHERE WE WILL GET INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNITY OF WHAT THEIR NEEDS AND WANTS ARE AND FIGURE OUT HOW THOSE CAN BE ADDRESSED THROUGH DOCTOR KING'S PRINCIPLES.

>> Lou: OKAY.

NOW, YOU MENTIONED YOUR ROLE AT UNM.

YOU WERE THE SENIOR STUDENT SUCCESS SPECIALIST AT THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND HOW THAT EXPERIENCE INFORMS HOW YOU'RE GOING TO APPROACH THIS NEW ROLE?

>> Kirven: ABSOLUTELY.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENT SERVICES AT THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO WAS THE CORNERSTONE OF MY COLLEGIATE AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE.

LEARNING TO NAVIGATE A PROFESSIONAL ROLE IN A BLACK CULTURAL CENTER HAS PRIMED ME TO BE AN EXCELLENT LEADER AND, HONESTLY, IS THE FOUNDATION FOR HOW SUCCESSFUL I'LL BE AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECT OF THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION.

IN THAT ROLE, I WAS AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR.

I ALSO LED SIGNATURE PROGRAMS OF THE BLACK CULTURAL CENTER.

I RAN THE SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING.

I WAS A SUPERVISOR OF OUR STUDENT EMPLOYEES.

AND I WORKED EXCLUSIVELY WITH FIRST AND SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS.

I ALSO TAUGHT FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE COURSE.

BLACK CULTURAL CENTER, LIKE AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENT SERVICES, THE ONE-STOP SHOP FOR STUDENTS.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

SO, WE WILL HANDLE ANYTHING THAT WE CAN IN OFFICE.

IF WE DON'T HAVE IT, WE HAVE CORRECTIONS ACROSS CAMPUS TO HELP STUDENTS GET THOSE RESOURCES.

SO, WE HAVE STUDENTS COME IN AND MAYBE THEY NEED HELP WITH FINANCIAL AID.

MAYBE THEY'RE FACING HOUSING INSECURITY, FOOD INSECURITY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT OFFICE HAS ALSO SERVED AS A SPACE TO CONSOLE STUDENTS WHO HAVE LOST PEERS ON CAMPUS.

SO, IT'S BEEN EVERYTHING TO STUDENTS.

AND WHEN YOU'RE IN THAT ROLE, YOU'RE BY DEFAULT GOING TO BE EVERYTHING TO THEM.

>> Lou: YEAH.

AND NOW IN THIS NEW ROLE I WOULD IMAGINE SOME OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS ARE WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION IS TRYING TO ADDRESS.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH THOSE NOW IN THIS NEW ROLE?

>> Kirven: ABSOLUTELY.

SO, I THINK ABOUT WHAT OUR YOUTH ARE EXPERIENCING IN NEW MEXICO.

AND I HAVE A PERSONAL CONNECTION TO THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY, I DID LOSE A YOUNGER FAMILY MEMBER TO GUN VIOLENCE IN MY HOMETOWN.

BUT PRIOR TO HER DEATH, WE HAD BEEN HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW SHE COULD ESCAPE HER CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT GETTING AN EDUCATION.

LEARNING ABOUT DIFFERENT FIELDS YOU CAN GO INTO OR LEARNING ABOUT HOW TO AVOID THESE TYPES OF CONFLICTS, OR HOW TO WALK AWAY FROM CERTAIN THINGS.

WE, UNFORTUNATELY, DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SEE THAT THROUGH.

BUT I CARRY THAT WITH ME IN THIS WORK AND THINKING ABILITY ALL THE YOUNG STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE LIKE HER WHO NEED OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THEIR POTENTIAL AND THEIR TALENT.

AND TO LEARN ABOUT ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO HANDLE THINGS SO THEY DON'T END UP IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.

>> Lou: SURE.

THANKS FOR SHARING THAT.

NOW, YOU STEPPED INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S ON THE HEELS OF SOME TURMOIL OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

BACK IN 2018, THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KIMBERLEY GREEN PLEADED GUILTY TO TAKING $16,000 FROM THE COMMISSION.

TWO OTHER COMMISSION MEMBERS ALSO PLEADED GUILTY.

HOW WILL YOU WORK TO REBUILD TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY AS THE NEW HEAD OF THE COMMISSION?

>> Kirven: I'M GOING TO WORK IN HARMONY WITH THE COMMISSIONERS TO REBUILD THAT TRUST.

SO, THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE ALREADY MADE STRIDES COMPARED TO HOW THE COMMISSION WAS FORMERLY OPERATING TO INSTILL THAT TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THEY'VE INCREASED TRANSPARENCY BY MAKING SURE MEETINGS ARE POSTED ON YOUTUBE, WHICH IS NOT REQUIRED OF THEM, BUT ALSO POSTING MEETING MINUTES ON THE WEBSITE IN A TIMELY FASHION.

AND ENSURING THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO JOIN BOTH IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY.

I BELIEVE THAT THE COMMISSION HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT STEPS IN IMPROVING THE COMMISSION'S ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLIANCE BY ENSURING THEY'RE FAMILIAR WITH THE DEADLINES REQUIRED OF THE COMMISSION, WHEN THINGS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED, LAWS THAT HAVE PREVIOUSLY NOT ALWAYS BEEN FOLLOWED THAT ARE GOING TO BE FOLLOWED.

MAKING SURE THAT LEGAL IS IN THE ROOM WITH CERTAIN CONVERSATIONS.

THERE IS SEVERAL NEW COMMISSIONERS ON THE BOARD.

THERE'S A NEW CHAIR, AND THEY DID THE PROCESS OF FINDING A GREAT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IF YOU ASK MYSELF, WHO IS PRIMED FOR LEADERSHIP.

AND TO WORK WITH THEM AND MAKE SURE THE COMMISSION CAN REBUILD ITS TRUST WITH THE COMMUNITY.

AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON WITH THE COMMISSION.

I ALSO THINK THAT, FOR ME PERSONALLY, MY VISION IS FOR THE COMMISSION TO OPERATE WITH PEAK ORGANIZATION AND EFFICIENCY.

SO, I WILL NOT TOLERATE ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT, TO BE HONEST.

>> Lou: OKAY.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC THAT TRUST IS ON THE WAY BACK UP WITH THESE CHANGES THAT YOU'RE MAKING?

>> Kirven: I HAVEN'T HAD ANY DIRECT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT TRUST WITH SPECIFIC COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

I'VE BEEN IN THE ROLE FOR ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS.

ALL OF MY CONVERSATIONS IN COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN SUPER SUPPORTIVE ABOUT THEM WANTING TO SEE THE COMMISSION DO WELL.

WANTING TO SEE THE COMMISSION REALLY BE ENGAGED IN COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK ANOTHER INITIATIVE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS TOOK WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR PROGRAMMING IS COMMUNITY-INFORMED.

SO, THERE'S A STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE THAT IS OPEN TO VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THEY CAN INFORM THE STRATEGIC PLANNING SURVEY.

THEY'VE ALREADY DONE IT.

IT WILL ROLL OUT, ACTUALLY, THIS SATURDAY ON JUNE 14th.

AND THAT WILL INFORM THE PROGRAMMING AND WHAT THE COMMISSION WILL BE DOING IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> Lou: OKAY.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME MANAGING AN ORGANIZATION LIKE THIS.

HOW IS THAT JOB DIFFERENT THAN FROM YOUR UNDERSTANDING IN PREVIOUS YEARS, NOW IN 2025, WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS EXPLICITLY TARGETED GROUPS AND INITIATIVES THAT FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION?

WHAT ARE THE NEW CHALLENGES NOW IN 2025?

>> Kirven: I THINK THE NEW CHALLENGE NOW IS THERE MAY BE SOME HESITANCY FOR SUPPORT, BASED ON THE CURRENT CLIMATE OF THIS NATION.

I'M NOT SOMEONE WHO SHIES AWAY FROM ADDRESSING -- DIFFICULT TOPICS.

AND I WANT THE COMMISSION TO BE PUT IN A POSITION TO WHERE THEY CAN HELP PEOPLE ALSO ADDRESS DIFFICULT TOPICS.

BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COMMISSION HAS ALREADY KIND OF DIPPED THEIR FOOT IN.

SO, AT OUR PREVIOUS FULL-DAY TRAINING AND MEETING IN MAY, WE HAD THE ACLU COME IN AND REPORT TO US ON THE STATUS OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

AND THEN, WE ALSO HAD THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GIVE A PRESENTATION AT THAT MEETING AS WELL.

I THINK THE COMMISSION IS GOING TO LEAN INTO EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY AND WANTING THEM TO BE THE MOST INFORMED ON THEIR RIGHTS AND HOW THE COMMISSION CAN BE A RESOURCE IN THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THOSE RIGHTS ARE PROTECTED IN THIS STATE.

>> Lou: OKAY, AND WHAT ABOUT COLLABORATION?

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH SIMILAR MISSIONS?

NOT ONLY TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER, BUT TO ALSO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT YOU SERVE?

>> Kirven: ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE ARE OPEN TO COLLABORATION.

IT'S ONE OF THE PILLARS OF OUR VISION.

WE WANT TO WORK WITH ANY ORGANIZATIONS IN NEW MEXICO THAT ARE DOING WORK THAT ALIGNS WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF DR. KING, HIS PRINCIPLES OF NON-VIOLENCE, AND HONOR HIS LEGACY.

ESPECIALLY THOSE DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HOLDING COMMEMORATIONS IN THE NAME OF DR. KING, OR HOLDING EVENTS THAT DRAW FROM HIS PRINCIPLES OR HIS WORKS.

>> Lou: OKAY, NOW MOVING FORWARD, YOU MENTIONED THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL IN CLOVIS COMING UP.

TALK TO ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

WHEN IS THAT HAPPENING, AND WHAT HAPPENS THERE?

>> Kirven: THANK YOU FOR ASKING.

SO, THE 2025 YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IS MAPPING THE DREAM, FINDING YOUR BLUEPRINT, DRAWING FROM DR. KING'S 1967 ADDRESS.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S BLUEPRINT.

WE'LL BE IN CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO AT THE CLOVIS CIVIC CENTER JUNE 19th AND JUNE 20th.

>> Lou: OKAY.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT?

IS THE GENERAL PUBLIC INVITED?

>> Kirven: YEAH, IT'S OPEN TO ALL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS.

AND VOLUNTEERS ARE FREE FOR THE CONFERENCE.

WE HAVE A LINEUP OF SPEAKERS ON DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS, INCLUDING HELPING STUDENTS UNPACK THEIR IDENTITY AND VISION FOR THEMSELVES.

ALSO, DEVELOPING SOME SKILLS LIKE PUBLIC SPEAKING, DIFFERENT ESSENTIAL SKILLS TO BEING A LEADER.

GOING INTO LEADERSHIP.

AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND BE A SCHOLAR AND AN ACTIVIST.

WE ALSO HAVE A REALLY GREAT KEYNOTE SPEAKER THAT I CAN'T ANNOUNCE JUST YET.

>> Lou: OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

WHEN WILL THAT COME?

>> Kirven: I'M HOPING I CAN ANSWER BY EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>> Lou: OKAY.

GREAT.

WE'LL LOOK OUT FOR THAT.

NOW, YOU ALSO ADDED SOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS.

A NEW COMMUNITY INPUT COMMITTEE.

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THOSE NEW VOICES, THE COMMUNITY INPUT COMMITTEE, ON WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE AND HEAR FROM THE COMMISSION, A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY, NOW THAT YOU HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP?

>> Kirven: RIGHT.

SO, MAINLY FROM THE STRATEGIC PLANNING -- MEMBERS OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE, THEY'RE FORMULATING THE SURVEY.

SO, THEY'VE GOTTEN TO HAVE DIRECT INPUT ON WHAT QUESTIONS ARE GOING TO BE ASKED OF COMMUNITY, WHAT THEY WANT TO KNOW FROM COMMUNITY, THE DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS TO SEE WHERE THESE DIFFERENT RESPONSES ARE COMING FROM.

THEY HAVEN'T SO MUCH AS GIVEN INPUT ON WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE FROM THE COMMISSION.

BUT I THINK THE PART THAT THEY'RE SHOWING UP TO THESE MEETINGS TO GIVE THEIR INPUT IS THEY WANT TO SEE SOME TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY INPUT ON WHAT THE COMMISSION IS DOING.

ONCE IS LAUNCHES, WE'LL GET ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT FEEDBACK.

AND IT MAY BE SOME OF THE MEMBERS WHO DO SOME OF THE FEEDBACK TO TELL US WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE FROM THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. STATE COMMISSION.

>> Lou: OKAY, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU GUYS ARE WORKING ON THAT I DIDN'T BRING UP THAT YOU THINK PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

>> Kirven: OUR TWO MAIN PROGRAMS FOR ENDING OUT THIS FISCAL YEAR IS THE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE IN ADDITION TO A COMMUNITY STATEWIDE MEETING THAT WILL HAPPEN ON JUNE 26th, DIRECTLY FOLLOWING OUR ANNUAL MEETING.

>> Lou: OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

DANNELLE KIRVEN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> Kirven: THANK YOU.

>> Nash: JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH.

THIS PAST WEEKEND, THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE HELD ITS ANNUAL PARADE DOWN ROUTE 66.

IN A YEAR THAT'S SEEN A SLEW OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS TARGETING THE TRANS COMMUNITY, AND A MONTH IN WHICH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DECLINED TO ISSUE A PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATION, AND REMOVED THE NAME OF GAY RIGHTS LEADER HARVEY MILK FROM A NAVAL SHIP.

PEOPLE AT THIS YEAR'S ALBUQUERQUE PRIDE ACKNOWLEDGE THE FEAR AND UNCERTAINTY MANY IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY ARE FEELING.

BUT FROM THE EARLY MORNING SETUP TO THE LAST FLOAT IN THE PARADE, STILL THEY SAY PRIDE IS ABOUT CELEBRATION.

>> : AWESOME, YEAH, SO, ALL THE FLOATS ARE GOING TO BE COMING IN THROUGH HERE.

AND ALL THE CARS.

AND WE'LL BE LINING UP ALL ALONG CENTRAL.

STARTING AT WELLESLEY, ALL THE WAY DOWN HERE TO GIRARD.

>> COME ON RIGHT HERE.

WHAT COLOR?

>> PURPLE.

OKAY, I'M GOING TO WALK UP WITH YOU AND SHOW YOU WHERE TO GO.

>> YOU'RE OUR BEST DANCER [BEAT BOXING] [LAUGHING] >> BOOTS AND CATS AND BOOTS AND CATS >> HI.

[LAUGHING] >> SO MANY COOL PEOPLE.

EVERYONE'S SO PRETTY -- SO COOL.

EVERYBODY GETS TO JUST LET IT ALL OUT, AND JUST EXPRESS THEMSELVES -- JUST HOW HAPPY EVERYBODY IS TO BE HERE AND SUPPORT EVERYBODY AND JUST CELEBRATE REALLY WHO WE ARE AS PEOPLE, YOU KNOW?

>> ITS OUR FIRST YEAR AS A MARRIED COUPLE THIS YEAR WE'RE VERY EXCITED >> THIS IS STRAWBERRY LEMONADE, THIS IS MY PERSONA >> MISS MATRABERRY >> EXISTENCE IS RESISTANCE >> YUP, AND REMEMBER, THE FIRST PRIDE WAS A RIOT >> I FEEL A BIT MORE TENSION THAT USUAL HERE TO ME THIS IS LESS OF A CELEBRATION AND MORE OF A DEFIANT ACT OF THAT I AM COMING HERE TO CELEBRATE BUT I'M ALSO COMING HERE TO SHOW I'M NOT AFRAID OF WHAT'S GOING AROUND AND THAT ITS IMPORTANT THAT I SHOW UP AND SHOW THAT I AM PROUD OF WHO I AM AND THAT I DON'T BACK DOWN NO MATTER WHATS HAPPENING [KISS] >> WE'RE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE BATTLE -- THE FIGHT THAT'S BEEN FOUGHT GENERATIONS BEFORE US SO THAT WE CAN BE VISIBLE AND EXIST IN THIS WORLD >> ITS A GOOD FIGHT TO FIGHT, ITS THE RIGHT FIGHT TO FIGHT >> I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 30 YEARS, SO, I'M ALWAYS PROUD >> AND AS A METAPHOR FOR THE FIGHT, WE WILL BE PULLING THIS TRUCK WITH OUR BODY THROUGH THE PARADE, ALL TAKING TURNS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE STANDING OUT AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE A HOME NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

AND WE CAN STAND TOGETHER AGAINST THIS RAISING TIDE OF HATRED AND FORTUNATELY I FIND THE POLITICAL CULTURE OF ALBUQUERQUE IS VERY MUCH SAND IN OUR DIVERSITY AND THAT IS A REALLY THE STRONGEST MESSAGE WE GET AROUND HERE BUT THERE IS A LOT OF NERVOUSNESS GOING AROUND AND THERE'S A LITTLE MORE WRATH THIS YEAR, ALONGSIDE OUR PRIDE AS WE MAKE SURE TO ASSERT OURSELVES AND THAT WE WILL NOT BE INTIMIDATED INTO SILENCE ABSOLUTELY SPEAK UP, EVERYWHERE YOU CAN.

MERELY ARTICULATING YOURSELF IS AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL FORM OF SPEECH THAT YOU CAN ALWAYS DO TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY FEELS SAFE >> I HAVE BEEN AN OUT LESBIAN SINCE 1983, I'VE BEEN IN EVERY PRIDE PARADE EVERY YEAR SINCE I'VE MOVED HERE IN '96, I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT ITS STILL HAPPENING, THERE'S SO MUCH LOVE IN THE AIR, WE'RE EXCITED AT THE SUPPORT WE'RE GETTING FROM PUBLIC OFFICIALS, I'M GRATEFUL >> WE DESERVE TO LIVE FREELY AND APOLOGETICALLY >> THIS IS MORE THAN A PARADE, IT IS A PROMISE TO BUILD REAL COMMUNITY, TO SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER EVERYDAY TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND, IT IS A CALL TO ACTION AND IT STARTS TODAY!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> THREE.

TWO.

ONE!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> HAPPY PRIDE!

>> IT WAS SO MUCH FUN, WE HAVE HAD SO MANY YEARS OF PROTESTS AND ARGUMENTS THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THIS SO I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF IT ITS SUCH AN EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WAS OUT THERE TODAY CHEERING US ON IT WAS TRULY MAGICAL THANK YOU >> HAPPY PRIDE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AGAINST WHAT YOU ARE IT CAN FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ALONE SO SOMETIMES ITS REALLY GOOD TO HAVE CELEBRATIONS LIKE THIS WHERE YOU SEE YOU'RE NOT ALONE WHEN I WAS WALKING UP THE STREET AND YELLING "HAPPY PRIDE" AND PEOPLE YELLING IT BACK AT YOU FELT REALLY GOOD AND THAT'S FROM SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT DO PARADES VERY OFTEN >> I THINK THAT TODAY IS ALL ABOUT SPREADING LOTS OF LOVE AROUND BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU LOVE HOW YOU LOVE OR WHERE YOU LOVE, ITS ALL ABOUT LOVE.

>> Nash: THANKS TO NMPBS ART AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER MICHAEL KAMINS FOR BRINGING THAT PRIDE PARADE TO IN FOCUS THIS WEEK.

BUT BEFORE WE GO, A QUICK REVIEW OF A CONVERSATION WE WILL BRING YOU NEXT WEEK.

LEON HOWARD IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ACLU OF NEW MEXICO.

WE SAT DOWN FOR A LENGTHY INTERVIEW ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION, ITS PRIORITIES, AND HOW THEY MIGHT SHIFT UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP.

AND AS PROTESTS OVER IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT CONTINUE IN LOS ANGELES, AND SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING HERE IN NEW MEXICO, WE'LL SHARE HOWARD'S THOUGHTS ON HOW THOSE PROTESTS HAVE PLAYED OUT AND WHAT HE'LL BE WATCHING FOR IN ALBUQUERQUE.

AS A BLUE STATE HERE IN NEW MEXICO THAT IS ALSO SEEN ICE RAIDS, MOST RECENTLY AT A DAIRY FARM IN LOVINGTON, HOW DO YOU VIEW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN L.A., FIRST OF ALL, BUT ALSO ANY LOCAL IMPLICATIONS?

>> Howard: YEAH.

I MEAN, YOU JUST HAVE TO SIT AND LET THAT SINK IN THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR PRESIDENT HAS MILITARIZED THE NATIONAL GUARD AND INVOLVED THE MARINES TO SHOW FORCE AGAINST ITS OWN CITIZENS.

AND THAT SHOULDN'T JUST BE A FOOTNOTE OR SOMETHING THAT WE JUST SKIM BY.

THIS IS AN UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT IN OUR COUNTRY.

AND YOU HEAR, LIKE, THESE MEASURES TITLE 10 HAVEN'T BEEN USED SINCE WE WERE TRYING TO DESEGREGATE OUR SCHOOLS.

SO, IT'S JUST A PROFOUND ABUSE OF WHAT TITLE 10 IS MEANT FOR.

>> Nash: CAN YOU BREAK DOWN FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR WHAT TITLE 10 SAYS?

>> Howard: YEAH, SO TITLE 10 IS A MEASURE THAT OUR PRESIDENT CAN USE TO INVOKE TO GO INTO A SITUATION WHERE A STATE IS BASICALLY BEING RESISTANT TO WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

AND WHEN I SAY IT THAT WAY, IT DOESN'T SOUND THAT PROFOUND.

BUT IT IS USED FOR MEASURES LIKE WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH UNREST AS THERE WAS IN WE WERE TRYING TO DESEGREGATE SCHOOLS.

IT'S NOT TO BE USED FOR A PRESIDENT'S AGENDA TO MAKE A BLUE STATE LOOK BAD WHEN THEY ALREADY HAD THOUSANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, DEALING WITH THE SITUATION IN L. A.

AND THEY WERE MAKING ARRESTS AND THEY HAD THE SITUATION CONFINED.

AND WHEN THE PRESIDENT SENT IN THE NATIONAL GUARD, IT STOKED THE PROTESTERS TO BECOME MORE AGITATED AND ACTUALLY START DIRECTING SOME OF THEIR ANGST TOWARD THE NATIONAL GUARD ITSELF.

AND YOU HAD LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT PROTECTING THE NATIONAL GUARD.

IT JUST SHOWS HOW UNWIELDY THAT SITUATION CAN BE AND GET.

YOU KNOW, ONE THING, JUST FROM A CONSTITUTIONAL STANDPOINT, WE'RE PUTTING OUR FEDERAL OFFICERS IN A VERY LEGAL AND MORAL BIND HERE BECAUSE THE CITIZENS STILL HAVE THEIR RIGHTS.

AND THESE OFFICERS TOOK AN OATH TO THE CONSTITUTION.

WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE, THE RIGHT TO PROTEST PEACEFULLY, AND DUE PROCESS ITSELF.

SO, NOW, WE'VE JUST PUT OUR MILITARY IN A BIND.

AND IF YOU REALLY LOOK AT THAT SITUATION, WHEN YOU FEDERALIZE THE NATIONAL GUARD, YOU'RE PULLING THEM AWAY FROM THE WORK THEY'RE DOING TO PREVENT WILDFIRES.

YOU'RE PULLING THEM AWAY FROM THE BORDER WHERE THEY'RE WORKING ON EXTRADITION ISSUES AND JUST CREATING A THEATER THAT IS JUST VERY SAD AND SCARY TO SEE.

>> Nash: JOIN US NEXT WEEK FOR MY FULL INTERVIEW WITH LEON HOWARD.

PLUS, WE'LL MEET A GROUP OF LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHOSE DOCUMENTARY HAS GARNERED NATIONAL ATTENTION.

FOR NMPBS, I'M NASH JONES.

UNTIL NEXT SOMETIME, STAY FOCUSED.

>> FUNDING FOR NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS IS PROVIDED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.