Meet our Project Director: Rox Cruz

Rox Cruz

Project Director

If you were a rapper, what would be your stage name?

Roxteady

What part of the country are you originally from?

Good ole Lynchburg

If you were in charge of bringing one food item to The Cookout, what would it be and why?

The *good* drinks - I love creating a good cocktail out of stuff already in the fridge and helping people relax.

What is your least favorite snack food and why?

Taki's, fireballs, and spicy stuff - I want good flavor... not so much spice that I can't enjoy it.

Let's dig a bit deeper. What's the last song that made you dance?

What were you like in middle/high school?

I definitely peaked in middle school HA! I felt like I was myself and could care less what anyone thought of me or what I liked. High School didn't feel that way anymore. I was going through a lot personally and felt misunderstood and villainized, or like I was letting everyone down.

J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar?

J. Cole

Name of a Book/Story That Made An Impact On You When You Were Younger. What was so impactful about this book?

If It Hadn't Been For Yoon Jun - I read this in 4th or 5th grade and it was about a Korean Girl in an American family who was "forced" to befriend a Korean transfer student who had immigrated. At first she balked at how much he didn't fit in, but she started to become interested in the Korean culture he seemed to have that she wanted to learn more about. It opened my eyes to cultural differences and how, even if we look alike, we can still be completely different. But taking the time to learn from each other is key.

Complete this phrase: "Freedom is..."

…the safety to be yourself.

What is one social justice/action issue that you are passionate about? Why?

Trying to get other white people to understand white privilege, systemic racism, and the part we play in all of it, even if it's not intentional.

In 2020, we had to suspend our program. What makes you excited about returning or joining the team this year?

I'm really excited to see our returning scholars who KNOW what to expect from Freedom School and know how to pick up the flag and lead now. That long term growth means way more to me than just a "fun summer".

If you had a room full of people willing to listen to you, what would you say?

Everyone has a platform and everyone has a cause. If you aren't using what you have to advocate, you are already being drowned out by the crowd. Show up. Stand up. Speak up.