Toni Morrison Society Bench Installation and Celebration Honoring Dr. Charles and Mrs. Mildred Nilon

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The Bench by the Road Project was launched by the Toni Morrison Society in honor of Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison. This Bench is placed in memory of Dr. Charles and Mrs. Mildred Nilon, pioneers in the Civil Rights struggle for equal access in higher education, housing, and employment in the City of Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder. Charles Nilon was among the vanguard of Black educators who would break the color barrier at land-grant universities when he was hired as the first Black professor at the University of Colorado Boulder in 1956. Professor Nilon created one of the earliest Black Studies programs in the nation and during his 30-year career, he recruited and mentored countless Black students and faculty. Dr. Nilon was also a leader in Civil Rights organizations in the city, and he was a member of the Colorado delegation of community leaders who participated in the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965. Mildred Nilon was also a dedicated champion of Civil Rights in Boulder. She was a leader in community organizations founded by the Nilons that advocated for equal access to employment and affordable housing for Black people and women. Hired as the first Black librarian at the University of Colorado Boulder in 1962, Mildred Nilon was also a pioneer in desegregating the field of library science. Charles and Mildred Nilon were beloved champions of Civil Rights in Boulder, and their work has left a legacy that continues to inspire. The Bench by the Road in their honor serves as a reminder of the lasting importance of their contributions to the City of Boulder and of the transformative power of education, leadership, and representation.