It’s been one month since the untimely passing of Dr. Antoinette “Bonnie” Candia-Bailey who died from suicide on January 8th. The Lincoln University Alumni community is now calling for action after 30 days of inaction since Dr. Bailey’s death.
Dr. Bailey detailed her severe distress and mistreatment in her role as VP of Student Affairs at Lincoln University Missouri in a letter before her passing.
“It’s been hard, but we’re pushing through.” Alexis Anginette Wells shares with me over the phone. Wells, a close friend and sorority sister to Dr. Bailey, has been on the frontline, advocating for Dr. Bailey’s story to be heard ever since.
Dr. Bailey’s suicide has sparked nationwide conversation and student protests in Jefferson City, MO. Students also protested this Thursday outside the LU campus demanding answers on the 1-month anniversary of Dr. Bailey’s passing.
Lincoln University President, John Moseley agreed to go on paid leave pending a third-party investigation on January 12th. The Board of Curators announced the following week, that a third-party review would be conducted and completed over the coming weeks.
However, many of the school’s 1,800 students and alumni have called for his permanent termination. A string of #firemoseley social media posts questioned his qualifications, treatment of Dr. Bailey and whether it was appropriate for him to lead an HBCU.
No official word or announcement has been made as of yet regarding the investigation.
In the 14-minute video, students can be heard shouting: “What do we want? “Answers!” When do we want them? Now!”
“We do want to see the removal of Dr. Moseley, as well as the Board of Curators and everybody else who was responsible,” 22-year-old senior Xoe Binford said last month. Binford, has also been leading efforts to organize student protest outside the HBCU campus and spreading the message across social media platforms.
It’s the kind of support Wells says she proudly stands for. “As an alumna of Lincoln University, I stand proudly in support of the students’ positive protest this week,” she says.
“Despite thirty days passing, there has been no action. Our voices will not be silenced. The Hill Is ill, and if the students don’t speak out, who will? This is bigger than you and me. Just as I stand with Dr. Antoinette Bonnie Candia-Bailey, I stand with Lincoln University of Missouri students, united in our quest for accountability and justice!”
The Lincoln University alumni-group is inviting all alumni, community, and supporters to join them from February 22nd-24th for a peaceful rally and dialogue at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, to help seek justice and accountability in Dr. Bailey’s honor.
We continue to keep Dr. Bailey’s family and friends in our deepest thoughts and prayers.
