MSC's Intern Reflects on Social Justice, Reading, and the Importance of Libraries
Libraries provide access to so much more than books, including internet services, resources around job applications and social services, and even warm spaces with restrooms. By removing physical and financial barriers, they ensure knowledge is available to all, making them key players in advancing the core principle of access in social justice. That’s why, over the course of Movement Strategy Center’s (MSC) 25 year history, we’ve stewarded and grown the MSC library in our home office in Oakland, Calif. Shelves packed to the brim with stories and social justice history frame book nooks, coworking tables, and gathering spaces throughout the open office which is open to staff, friends, and partners.
But it’s no secret libraries need to be protected and cared for, especially as the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), book challenges, and concerns for both the open flow of knowledge and staff safety escalate. That’s why, earlier this year, MSC set out to create an internship for an individual to organize, sort, and catalog our library.
Enter KC Cunningham. Cunningham grew up surrounded by the social justice movements of Oakland, Calif., and recently finished his internship cataloging the MSC library. We sat down with him to discuss his life in the Bay Area, his time organizing the MSC library, and what lies ahead for him.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Growing Up in the Bay Area
MSC: How did growing up in the Bay Area shape you and inspire your interest in social justice?
KC Cunningham (KCC): Growing up in the Bay Area shaped me in a lot of ways. I was surrounded by so many different cultures and movements all pushing for change in housing, education, and immigration. Seeing people come together and organize taught me that real power comes from the community. It made me want to be part of something that challenges systems and uplifts people.
"Social justice isn’t just about laws or policy, it’s about listening to people’s stories."
MSC: How have your past experiences shaped your perspectives and actions at the intersection of cultural and social justice?
KCC: Working with Reuniting Families [a free support network in Contra Costa County, Calif., that engages those facing charges in their own defense] and other community organizations opened my eyes to how policies and systems can pull families apart and make life harder for people, especially in low-income and immigrant communities. It showed me that social justice isn’t just about laws or policy, it’s about listening to people’s stories, learning where they come from, and making sure they feel seen and valued. That’s what taught me the importance of working with communities, not for them.
The MSC Library
Listening to and telling people’s stories is what libraries are all about, so it’s not surprising social justice movements and libraries have such a rich interconnected history, much of which is represented in the MSC library.
MSC: How did you hear about MSC and what brought you here?
KCC: I was earning my certification in social change and leadership when I heard about MSC through Shannon [Cunningham, MSC’s Operations Manager]. The internship really lined up with what I was learning and gave me a chance to apply it in a real-world setting.
MSC: Do you have any favorite books you came across in the MSC library?
KCC: Both personally and in the work I do, I’m especially drawn to books that help me better understand race, identity, and history. A few titles caught my attention: “The Shadow of Slavery” [a reminder of the often forgotten history of peonage in the South], “Racially Mixed People in America” [an examination of America’s racially mixed populations both past and present], and “Hooded Americanism” [a complete history of the Ku Klux Klan].
One thing that really surprised me was realizing how much important history was left out of what we were taught in school. Spending time in the library reminded me that reading is an act of power, especially when so many of these books are being banned. There’s so much truth sitting on shelves that we were never meant to see. The exposure [to MSC’s library] helped me understand how connected our movements are and how much we can learn from one another.
Looking Ahead For KC
Inspired by the social justice movements around him, Cunningham has set out on a creative journey developing his own clothing line, Bleu Rose.
MSC: Tell us more about your focus on resilience and the idea of “inspiring the impossible” through your clothing line, Bleu Rose.
KCC: Bleu Rose was born from the idea that beauty can grow out of struggle. The blue rose symbolizes resilience, rarity, and the belief that the impossible can happen. Through the brand, I want people to see their own strength reflected in what they wear. Bleu Rose is a reminder that creativity and hope don’t only grow in perfect conditions — they bloom from the cracks, too.
"Spending time in the library reminded me that reading is an act of power."
MSC: Can you share a little bit more about what your next steps are in your professional journey?
KCC: After more than a decade in social justice work, I’m taking a step back to recharge. The work is powerful, but it’s also heavy. I’m focusing on building Bleu Rose and finding an administrative role that gives me balance and stability. The goal isn’t to step away from the movement, but to come back to it stronger, with fresh perspective and energy.
Much like social justice movements, libraries are only as effective as the people behind them. Thanks to Cunningham, the MSC library is cataloged and ready to educate the next generation of activists. MSC’s publicly available online resources can be found in the Resources section of the MSC website.
