A Slippery Rock University alumnus returned to campus to offer an empowering message while uplifting voices from the Black and Latino communities. Michael Thornhill, ’12, an AfroCuban author, consultant and self-described “recovering diversity, equity and inclusion practitioner,” spoke to a group as part of the Green and White Society’s Alumni Speaker Series, Feb. 10.
Thornhill, who earned his degree in communication, is the author of “The First, The Few and The Only,” a narrative memoir that includes stories of prominent Black luminaries like Phillis Wheatley and Roberto Clemente.
“These people often had horrible endings to their stories, even though they were pedestaled and celebrated at one time as avatars of success,” Thornhill said.
Thornhill spoke about the disproportionate personhood these figures experienced as well as his own experience as a Black and Latino college student.
Thornhill transferred to SRU in the middle of his college career, seeking the meaningful community and connection with other Black people that he could not attain at other campuses. At SRU, Thornhill’s friendships with Deron Jackson, ’11; Justin Brown,’11; Justin McQueen, ’12; Christian Garner, ’10, ’11M; Terrece Draper, ’12; and Mychael Charles Lee, ’12, inspired him to become a leader on campus, as they had.
Thornhill started a Tumbao salsa dancing club at SRU, and his leadership and involvement on campus included organizations like the Coalition for Christian Outreach (Harbor), Building Bridges, and work with offices that include Residence Life, Transfer and Multicultural Admissions.
“My time here at Slippery Rock made me realize how important it is to not stand by yourself,” Thornhill said.
Finding supportive and empowering community took Thornhill’s journey from being the only Black person in the room to becoming a champion of Black excellence and leadership.
His presentation hosted by the Green and White Society student organization coincided with the University’s Black History Month events, and his book “The First, The Few and The Only” was acquired and added to the Bailey Library’s Special Collections and part of its Black History Month featured collection.
“Black history is reflective of not only who we are, but how we survive,” Thornhill said.
More information about Thornhill’s memoir is available online.
