'We're 创造黑人历史': GVSU students reflect, celebrate at 启动黑人历史月活动

With tables lining the lobby of the Kirkhof Center, 16 different Black and Afro-led student organizations took part in GVSU’s “Blackout: Black Student Organization Showcase.“ event is just one of several events being put on by Grand Valley’s 多元文化事务办公室庆祝 黑人历史月 . 

Phillip Todd, assistant director of the Office for Multicultural Affairs, 说 that 黑人历史月 is not just to 尊重像博士这样的领导人的遗产. 马丁·路德·金.,但 also to honor the legacy being created by students. “大停电是 important because it’s student-focused,” Todd 说. “这是很重要的 to showcase the work that they're doing because they're actively 创造黑人历史.” 

Several students shared how they find 社区 through student organizations and celebrate 黑人历史月.

玛雅伍德森

When asked about her favorite event with the Black Student Union, 玛雅伍德森 names one that happened just 24 hours 事前:和BSU一起唱卡拉ok. 

Woodson has been involved with BSU since 2021 and is 现任总统. “很高兴看到我们大家 互动，”她说. “这就像，我不是总统那样 晚上. I was just with everybody else, singing our songs and jamming.” 

The 社区 and relationships forged during events like that have been pivotal for Woodson in her time as a student. “I know it can be overwhelming when you go to class and there might be 你们中的一个或两个. But then you get to come out here and we're all 给你，”她说. “拥有社区意识非常重要 important for a student’s success throughout their college career.”

Underneath the fun events and celebrations, Black History Month holds special meaning for Woodson, whose father participated in sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement. 

“We're not too far removed from our own history,” 伍德森反映. “My father was in these sit-ins, and here I am in 2024年还在做同样的工作. 我们正在创造一份遗产，然后离开 给这个校园留下了深刻的印象. 像博士这样的人. 马丁 小路德·金. and Rosa Parks, it’s important to recognize that 他们的工作没有白费. 我们在这里就是一个真实的例子 他们的工作得到了回报。.”

KeJuan Farrell-Bey

KeJuan Farrell-Bey, a sixth-year student studying computer engineering, has been involved with the National Society of 黑人工程师的荣誉称号. “它总是有一个很大的 对我的影响，”他说. “这影响了我的学习方式，我的 职业道德. It teaches you how to prepare yourself for the 从大学到职场的过渡.”

Farrell-Bey 说 his involvement with groups like the National Society of Black Engineers has been just as important 无论是职业上还是个人上. “如果你没有 社区 in college, you're not going to feel like you have a 的地方,对吧? Events like the Blackout might help you find your 地点在校园或你的朋友圈. 它也可能对你有所帮助 find people who might be beneficial to know once you graduate. 你 know, ‘We were in a club together, now you might help me get this 工作.“人脉非常重要.” 

For Farrell-Bey, 黑人历史月 celebrations are also chance to introduce others to the accomplishments and legacy of 黑人社区. “如果你不展示你是谁，你是什么 you’re doing as a 社区, how do people know how to respect this 社区? It's good to have these events during 黑人历史月 to show who we are, so that people can know what our 社区 is 实际上对. We’re showing how far we’ve come, and that we’re 我们说话的时候还在发展我们的历史.”

Kaiya史密斯

Kaiya史密斯, a junior studying psychology with a minor in juvenile justice, is 现任总统 of two clubs: Ignite 舞蹈公司., which recently performed at Grand Valley’s Presidents’ Ball, and Lambda Pi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., which was the first black student organization chartered on Grand 1974年的山谷校园. 

“Events like this give students a chance to see what different organizations we have to cater to our 社区,” she 说. “Being a part of these organizations helped me get involved in 我的社区. 很有趣.”

For Smith, it’s also a chance to recognize those before her who paved the way, whether that be prominent activists, or other 像她这样的学生领袖. “这给了我们一个庆祝人民的机会 谁影响了我们的生活，”她说. 

Smith 说 it’s not just about historical leaders,但 leaders like her who are working to leave a lasting legacy on Grand 谷的校园. “It gives us a chance to highlight these student leaders, their organizations and their impact on campus,” she 说. 

Grand Valley’s 多元文化事务办公室 will continue to celebrate 黑人历史月 with a variety of events 贯穿整个二月. 参观 黑人历史月网页 有关更多活动信息.