Black Student Union celebrates Black History Month through community and inclusivity
All photos by Ashley Morell.
Lee’s Black Student Union (BSU) is celebrating Black History Month on campus by inviting the community into an open dialogue surrounding diversity.
Senior psychology major Kiara Quick is BSU’s president. She has longed for BSU to be a club where discussion surrounding diversity is the primary focus.
“It’s never [been] about the title for me,” Quick said. “It’s always about how I can make everybody feel included and safe. It is to aid in learning more about the black culture while allowing the black population on campus to still feel like they are welcome.”
“The Black Student Union is centered around this concept of community, unity and celebration,” said Golden Madume, the club’s sponsor. “[It is for] providing a space for relationships, for connection and for engagement and awareness.”
Madume was a member of the BSU as an undergrad at Lee but has since stepped into a new role as the club’s faculty sponsor.
“Kiara won’t compliment herself, but I will say this on her behalf — she’s very much a visionary leader,” said Madume. “She is always thinking about the vision and taking us as a community of diverse people — black, white and everything in between — toward a future of progress, unity and community.”
Madume noted he does not want the topic of diversity to be intimidating.
“I know on social media [diversity] can be polarizing,” Madume said. “[But] the diversity clubs are open for everyone, and they are a place to really just have fun, talk, discuss, go out, have movie nights, go bowling — anything!”
Currently, BSU has close to 40 members including faculty such as Casey Cole, Mike Hayes, Mary McCampbell and Fijoy Johnson.
“As a person of color on this campus, I'm sure that some of our students are afraid to speak their mind,” said Johnson. “When a person of color speaks about color, there are some who say ‘oh there they go again.’ My passion is to be a voice for the voiceless. I don't want anyone to suppress their diversity.”
As BSU celebrates black history throughout the month of February, students are invited to join. Other groups such as Student Leadership Council and Residential Life and Housing are also partnering for events.
“All the events are inclusive. I don’t want to leave anybody out. I don’t want anybody to feel like they can’t come to the events just because they aren’t a part of the club,” Quick said. “I want you to come to the events, possibly join our club, see what we’re all about and just know that we’re really here for you to feel you’re safe and you’re not alone.”
For more information about Black Student Union, contact Kiara Quick at kquick00@leeu.edu.
