Mr. President 880,000 TRIO Trafromative Voices beg to differ

 

Today, as the President talks of cutting TRIO programs from his budget, 4 TRIO Program voices from 1974 to 2025 spoke up for future TRIO students.                                                     We are the voices of TRIO hope.  President Trump wants to end TRIO Programs at our colleges and universities. Today, on the Readman: Truth to Power Hour, at 11:AM EST on 103.5 FM New Haven Community Radio. We paid homage to Rev Allen, my Equal Opportunity Grant College advisor. He loved wearing bow ties. He was the director of a TRIO College Program at Saint Peter's College. EOP was a place where a kid who had the heart but not the means to pay for college was given an opportunity. Rev Allen, we say TRIO opened the door, but you have to run with it. I expect to see you all on graduation day. Today I interviewed Julio Muniz from Academic Affairs, Teacher Prep Coordinator, and a former TRIO Graduate like me. He is bringing two TRIO students as well. We talked about the TRIO story from At Risk to Resiliency. We did not call the President out. We shared our TRIO voices of hope to help him understand that these programs are the things that give hope to the American dream.  We simply share our stories, hoping to persuade him to change his mind.  Amanda Gorman in her Inaugural Poem "The Hill We Climb" opening words: " When day comes, We ask ourselves, Where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, A sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast, We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, And the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before, We knew it, Somehow, we do it, Somehow, we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken, But simply unfinished. " When she said these words for President Biden's Inaugural, I felt as if she was reaching into the hearts of all TRIO students. This one is for all our millions of TRIO sisters and brothers, This is the link to our show and a summary as well.  https://www.facebook.com/NewHavenIndependent/videos/909040844636312  The Readman Truth To Power Hour: Trio Promise: "At Risk To Resiliency" May 9, 7:52 am, 58 min "The discussion on "The Readman Truth To Power Hour: Trio Promise: 'At Risk To Resiliency'" highlighted the transformative impact of the TRIO program. Dr. Jesse Turner and guests, Ericka Alfred, Angel Diaz-Salgado, and Julio Muniz, shared personal stories and the program's benefits. TRIO supports students from middle school to graduate levels, helping over 880,000 annually. Ericka and Angel emphasized the program's role in fostering community, academic success, and personal growth. Julio underscored the program's holistic approach, including mental health and career guidance. They urged policymakers to recognize TRIO's importance in promoting education and social justice."  If you like to listen to the tune that inspired my show today, it is Scoot Huron: The Revolution Won't Be Televised https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwSRqaZGsPw  Fight the power, Dr/ Jesse P. Turner  Amanda Gorman