Niwot freshman organizes fundraiser to support racial equality

Everyone should have the same starting point in life. That's what Oliver Fowler believes, and he's taking action to help make it happen. The 14-year-old Niwot resident is organizing a fundraising dinner to benefit the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, an organization that works for racial equality.

"I'm just a kid and can't directly help," Fowler said. "But I think it would be cool if the funds I make from this event do go to people who can move our community, our country and our state forward."

The event will be held July 25 at an outdoor location that is still being determined and will feature multicultural dishes catered by the Niwot Tavern for $50 a meal.

There will be African, European, Asian and Mexican food at the event, along with a djembe drum circle and musicians from the Boulder Symphony, which will get some of the proceeds.

Fowler noted that Niwot and Boulder "aren't super diverse." He wants people to think beyond "our little bubble," and take action.

"I think it's our obligation to help people who aren't as lucky as we are and help us get to a point where everybody can start their lives at the same point so we can move forward together," Fowler said. "I'm white. As a white person we have obligations to reach out."

Everyone suffers in a climate of racism, Fowler said.

"It's all of our issue because we cut ourselves off from including people with different ideas," he said. "We actually lose out when we don't include others. You lose the sense of unity in the community when we do not reach out and have people cooperate across racial lines."

Fowler will be a freshman at Niwot High this fall. The fundraiser grew out of a passion for current events.

"I'm super interested in the news," Fowler said. "I watch and read and take in a lot of information. I've seen these killings before and didn't really pay attention. I wasn't really old enough. I wasn't old enough to comprehend when Trayvon Martin was killed. The killing of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd set off the movement. I see it as my duty to help people. In the past, it has been our history, our families and our ancestors. It's our obligation to help sort it out."

The way to do that is by cooperation, Fowler emphasized.

"It's important not to let the anger boil over into separation. We don't want people being angry. That's why we are promoting unity over division. We want people to come together in unity and not be separate. That's the big thesis statement of the event," Fowler said.

Those interested in the fundraiser can reach out to [email protected].