Rush Imhotep, a junior on the Cornell football team, has played in 19 varsity games at safety for the Big Red. During his sophomore campaign in 2012, he was tied for second on the team with 65 tackles and recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and three pass breakups.

1. When you think of the history and accomplishments of African-Americans in our country, what jumps out in your mind?
Imhotep: I think of Malcolm X, and how despite being under some of the worst circumstances, he was able to overcome adversity and assert his agency, as he began to take control over his life. I have always admired this transformation because I see a lot of that same potential within myself and my peers.

2. What do you enjoy and what are the challenges in your current experiences as an African-American student-athlete on an Ivy League campus?
Imhotep: I enjoy meeting different people from different backgrounds and noticing the cross-cultural similarities that connect us. Yet, at the same time, dealing with different people can be challenging, as the cultural differences can become frustrating in situations where I may not agree with what someone else is accustomed to, or someone else may not agree with what I'm accustomed to.

3. As you reflect on Black History month, talk about one person who has influenced your life and why?
Imhotep: My mom has had one of the greatest influences on my life, and has played a key role in developing my awareness of my blackness. Growing up in her household, events like Black History Month and Martin Luther King Jr. Day were dedicated solely to the education and appreciation of the African-American struggle, and the understanding of the African diaspora. Whole days would be dedicated to watching films like Malcolm X and The Amistad, as I got a better grasp on who I was and what my roots were.  

4. What do you feel is your role in being a leader or role model as African-American student-athlete on your campus and in your communities both at school and at home?
Imhotep: I don't think that I qualify as a leader simply because of my status as an African-American student-athlete, but I do believe that I'm an example that other people may follow as they try to better their life.

5. Projecting forward, what is one thing you would like to achieve or be part of once you graduate to advance the African-American ideal for future generations?
Imhotep: I would like to show people that African-American history had a history before America, and that knowledge of self is the greatest gift one can give to his or her self.