The Black Student Union club (BSU) at the University of New Haven has been putting on numerous events for students to enjoy, be informed, and educated about African-American culture during Black History Month.
According to BSU’s Facebook page, the club was established in 1973 and was the first student organization on the university’s campus for students of color. Like many other Black Student Unions on college campuses, during that time, UNH’s BSU was born out of the civil rights movement. The club wanted to ensure equality and bring awareness programs to campus. A part of bringing change to the UNH campus, students started requesting African- American history courses, ways of incorporating culture awareness, and working closely with fraternities and sororities.
BSU has made significant strides in bringing African-American culture awareness during Black History Month. They have held events such as “Who Wants to Be a Black History Month Scholar?” where students participated in a replica of the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” television show, but are instead tested on their knowledge of black history.
Another event was “Take it or Leave it,” which was also based on a game show television program where contestants are asked questions, and they must bet certain prizes on the answer choices they feel strongly about. The group based their trivia questions on black history and prominent figures.
Students have also come together for community service including helping prepare meals for the homeless and the less fortunate at the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen in New Haven. There are many more events listed for the weeks in February for students to come out and support.
BSU Vice President, Shniqua Christian, said coming up with events for Black History Month was a collaborative effort from the e-board and feedback from the club members. The e-board is made up of the president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and sergeant at arms. Club members suggested events that could happen in February, and from the suggestions, Christian and the other e-board members decided which to plan.
Christian explained that as vice president of BSU, Black History Month was hectic, because she was in charge of planning all the events for the month. “Black History Month, as a vice president, that’s my baby, that’s my month. It’s my job to plan events,” Christian said.
Christian explained that some of the events planned for the month were more demanding than others. Events such as the “Stepping Back” step show/ dance competition, the comedian showcase, and the poetry jam were more challenging to manage, because she had to constantly be on the phone, sending e-mails, and texting to make sure that the acts were present at their events and on time. She and the e-board of BSU had to be accommodating for each group or person in a show to make sure everything ran smoothly for the event.
BSU President, Erica Baganza, said that during Black History Month the requirements for being president change on a daily basis. She oversees the events, by making sure that a lot of details are taken care of. Baganza has to make sure to get certain forms in, make sure performers have rides to the shows they are performing for, make sure students know about the events happening, and post fliers around campus.
Baganza also commented on some of the events that have already passed. She said motivational speaker Ray Baker was a memorable event for her because he spoke about how African-Americans should embrace their African roots and own them. When asked which event she felt was the most successful, there wasn’t a particular event. “Any event is successful,” Baganza said, “Even if I get five people that show up, that’s successful to me.”
Students on the UNH campus are not the only ones excited about some of the events BSU has planned. The e-board members are excited for them as well. Both, Christian and Baganza are excited about the upcoming pageant “Mr and Ms. Black History Month.” Contestants are competing to win the titles by displaying their knowledge of a prominent African-American figure they have picked. “I’m excited to see how it is going to turn out,” Baganza said. “Just because it’s new, I’m anxious.”
BSU was the first establish minority club at UNH. Students are encouraged to join because the club is not only targeted towards African-American students. Contrary to what most believe, BSU is trying their best to have more of a diverse group of members. They want more students of any race to be educated on the culture of African-Americans.
BSU thinks that it is very important that students know about the ancestry of African- Americans, especially because through their accomplishments, students can take pride and fulfill their own goals in the present and future.
Christian said, “We try our best to show people how important it is to know their history through BSU’s educational programs.” Baganza said she wants BSU to embrace not only African-American culture, but many other cultures as well. She also wants BSU to form a bond with other minority groups on campus, and maintain it in the future.
BSU has done a lot to bring successful events to the UNH campus and through the collaborative effort of the e-board members, they have done just that. “We pull it together very well,” Baganza said, “In the end result, I can look back in the month of February and say I am proud of my e-board to see what we have accomplished thus far.”
There will be more events listed for the month as Black History Month comes to a close. Students can check their e-mail regularly, or add BSU’s Facebook page to see what the upcoming events for the ending of February are.
