Contact: Shauntia White
Program Manager
shauntia@innovateprincegeorges.org

Landover, MD-- Hundreds of friends and families of the Bowie State University (BSU) community cheered on graduates as they walked across the podium of success at the Comcast Center, located on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park Tuesday. In the midst of cheerful hearts, high praise and hallelujahs at this year's commencement ceremony, U.S. citizens far and wide were all left with heavy hearts at the sight of an all-black grown draped across an all-white chair, reminding us of the tragic and senseless death of #RichardCollins who was fatally stabbed over the weekend.

While we congratulate both BSU and UMD graduates and their families, we also want to extend our most sincere condolences to 2nd Lt. #RichardCollins' family and the Bowie State University community.

PGCSIF is rooted in civic engagement, social change, and innovation. Our hope is that as this family grieves, we are reminded that our community is a better, safer, and stronger when we all prioritize efforts to bridge gaps, are intolerant to hate, and are collectively engaging in endeavors on every turn to strengthen the very fabric of our County-- as well as the core of our democracy.

Let us hear from you about how we--current students, alumni, university leaders, businesses, civic associations, government agencies, and residents--can all work towards these ends. Email us your thoughts at innovateprincegeorges@gmail.com.

Prince George's County Social Innovation Fund (PGCSIF) works as a catalyst for social impact. Its mission is to build social capital and invest in new approaches to solving social challenges in Prince George’s County. More information can be found at innovateprincegeorges.org, or on Facebook at PGCSIF.