Dear Friend,

This month and every month, we’re celebrating the contributions of Black New Mexicans across our communities and throughout history. Every day, I’m proud to work alongside so many phenomenal leaders and organizers here in New Mexico as we work together to fight for justice and equity and ensure the well-being of our communities.

This month, we’re lifting up the work of Black community leaders and hometown heroes like Nichole Rogers, of the City of Albuquerque, and State Senator Harold Pope, who have worked tirelessly to advocate for the priorities and needs of our communities and build a more equitable future for our state. Learn more about their amazing work below!

Nichole Rogers has served as the City of Albuquerque’s African-American Community and Business Leader Liaison since 2021. In her own words, her job “is heavily focused on giving my community equitable access to all of the resources of the City—from jobs, contracts, grants and programming.” Nichole took on this position to help members of the African diaspora in New Mexico feel a sense of belonging and “thrive, not just survive.” Her current goal is to increase Black homeownership by 5% this year and is working with universities and nonprofits to get this done. If you’re interested in learning more about Nichole’s work at the City and the Strategy Team working across organizations to close the racial wealth gap through workforce and business development, mentorship, and homeownership, please reach out to Nichole via phone at (505) 786-4521, or by email at [email protected]. 

New Mexico State Senator Harold Pope was inspired to serve in the New Mexico State Legislature by watching others step up and run for office as well as witnessing the impact they were able to make in our state. In his own words, “serving as a State Senator is an honor, and I am humbled to be the first African American to ever serve in the State Senate.” After retiring from the military, Sen. Pope’s service in the Legislature has given him the opportunity to continue his public service and serve his community. As a State Senator, his focus is constituent services, infrastructure, and legislation that helps our families, veterans, and youth.

As we continue to work for justice and equity here in New Mexico and across the country, we’re grateful for leaders like Nichole, Senator Pope, and so many of our hometown heroes. 

As always, if I can be of any assistance to you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my staff at (505) 346-6781. If you’d like to keep up to date on what I am working on in Washington on behalf of New Mexico’s First Congressional District and our communities, you can subscribe to our newsletter here, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sincerely,



Melanie A. Stansbury
Member of Congress