By Cassie Baudouin
We are incredibly excited to announce the start of the Black Student Union at Western New England University!
The ultimate goal of this new organization on our campus is to provide a voice for the black student body, create a safe space for its members to voice their concerns, create a path for productivity, and execute services and programs geared towards sharing and uplifting black voices.
Our mission is not only to create a space, but also to celebrate the various intersections within our the black community: from uplifting black women, LGBTQ+ people, and the vast cultures and ethnicities that span the diaspora.
The logo for the BSU, and a theme we look to incorporate, is a symbol used by the Akan people of Ghana called “Sankofa.” The symbol depicts a bird with its head turned, taking an egg from its back. This expresses the importance of reaching back to both the people and the knowledge gained before us and bringing it into the present to make positive change and progress. Sankofa seeks to provide enlightenment of black culture through education, culture, and social events and activities.
A lot of work has been put in behind the scenes to get this new organization up and running by seniors Anisa Guess, Cassie Baudouin, and former Student Vice President Amo-Mensa Amofa. We are all super excited to get the club off the ground, and fill the Executive Board positions for next fall. If you are interested in being a part of the E-Board, absolutely reach out to either myself (Cassie) or Amo-Mensa Amofa.
There will be more information to come! Follow the club on Instagram @wnebsu for more information soon to come.
