Toni Morrison Society Bench Installation and Celebration

The Toni Morrison Society alongside the Museum of Boulder, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder Library District and community members will join together to recognize the achievements of Charles and Mildred Nilon - CU Boulder's first Black Professor and first Black Librarian. Speakers and a reception will take place at the Museum of Boulder.

Learn more about the Toni Morrison Society's Bench By The Road Project HERE.

Remarks by Chancellor Justin Schwartz, Dr. Reiland Rabaka, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Toni Morrison Society, Carolyn Denard and Craig Stutman.

The program will begin at 4:15. City parking will be free for the Presidents' Day holiday, but we recommend leaving some extra time to park and walk. Indoor reception will follow outdoor remarks, weather permitting.

The Toni Morrison Society Bench by the Road in honor of Dr. Charles and Mrs. Mildred Nilon was possible thanks to funding from the University of Colorado Boulder, Celebrating CU Boulder's 150th Anniversary, and community support.

Dr. Charles & Mildred Nilon, Toni Morrison’s “Bench by the Road Project” Honor

The Bench by the Road Project is a memorial history and community outreach initiative of the Toni Morrison Society.

This bench, placed in Boulder, honors two distinguished and beloved members of the Boulder community, Charles and Mildred Nilon. The Nilons were exceptional leaders, mentors, and role models at the University of Colorado and throughout Boulder.

Dr. Charles Nilon (1916–1991) joined the University of Colorado Boulder English Department in 1956 as the university’s first African American professor. Among his many significant contributions, he spearheaded the creation of CU’s Black Studies Program. His impact extended far beyond the university. A pioneer in Boulder’s affordable housing movement, Dr. Nilon founded HELP, Inc. (Housing for Everyone through Local Programs) in 1968, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all people in Boulder secure decent, dignified housing through rental or homeownership. He also conducted vital research documenting the history of early Black residents of the Boulder Valley and taught Sunday School for 42 years at First Baptist Church of Boulder.

Mildred Nilon (1920–2017) became CU Boulder’s first African American librarian in 1962. She later served as Head of the Reference Department and as Assistant Director for Public Services. Her contributions to the Boulder community spanned six decades, including her service as founder and president of the United Black Women of Boulder Valley, an organization established to support African American women and families in Boulder County.

The Nilons’ legacy endures not only through their groundbreaking achievements as CU’s first African American professor and librarian, but also through the warmth, generosity, and kindness they extended to students and “strays” alike. Together, they fostered a nurturing environment rooted in learning, service, and community—leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing them.

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