EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

By Kafilat Abdul, Treasurer

Treasurer Kafilat Abdul interviewed previous editors-in-chief from Black World throughout the years. The following interviewees were members of Black World between the 1970s and 2022.

Kiara Thomas

Kafilat Abdu (KA): When were you the President/Editor-in-Chief of Black World?

Kiara Thomas (KT): I was the President and Editor-in-Chief of Black World from 2018-2021.

KA: What motivated you to join Black World?

KT: Growing up, I was always passionate about uplifting the Black community after seeing societal injustices. I wanted to tell the stories of Black and brown people that are known within our communities but unknown to others. Our stories show systematic issues that prove that there are roadblocks in place that try to stop us. Still, there are also uplifting stories, like when I covered the Black Business Bazaar at Stony Brook, where Black entrepreneurs showcased their craft on campus. Witnessing this firsthand made me join journalism.

KA: What were your goals for Black World under your tenure?

KT: I had the goal to bring it back to what it used to be on campus. Knowing Black World was around since the 1970s, I wanted people to read and contribute to the newspaper and continue its legacy. Since I was there, Black World died out, so I and many others tried to revive it. We had to get it off the ground, which had its challenges, but it was great once it was off the ground.

KA: What was the climate like for Black and Latinx folks during your time at Stony Brook?

KT: It was very interesting. The biggest story was about what happened in Tanzania. [On a study abroad trip to Tanzania, two white students made fun of the Tanzanians’ appearance, skin color, and teeth.] There were so many social posts about it. Other instances on campus caused Black and brown students to be upset and demand justice. We’ve also shared our own stories about unfair treatment related to race/ethnicity on campus. Years later was the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, and I wanted to ensure Black and Latinx stories were at the forefront. Still, it’s not an isolated incident, as it affects everyone.

KA: How did this organization’s actions influence the environment on campus at the time?

KT: Although we’ve been on campus since the 1970s, many people I spoke to didn’t initially know about Black World, especially the incoming class, but as time went on, many people learned about us. We had people reaching out for collaborations and contributing to our mission.

KA: What impact did Black World have in your own academic career and experience on campus?

KT: Black World shaped who I am and how I go about in my journalistic career. It taught me leadership and management skills and impro- ved my writing and editing. My favorite thing about Black World was speaking to or learning the stories of Black and Latinx students on campus through my colleagues’ articles. I met many great people through Black World, with whom I still keep in contact.

KA: What advice do you want to give future successors on what it means to be Editor-in-Chief/President?

KT: Make bold decisions. If you have an idea but are nervous, some people will be excited to see it come to fruition. Also, don’t limit yourself. There were tasks for that we needed more resources than we would’ve liked, but we still implemented them. You have a vision for a reason, so don’t be shy to go after it.

KA: What do you wish for the future of Black World?

KT: I would love for Black World to be a powerhouse on campus and continue dominating. We could do any medium, ranging from print to podcasts to videos. Black World’s history is so rich and influential, and we have the opportunity to create a community for us.

Kafilat Abdul (KA): When were you the president/Editor-in-Chief of Black World?

Patricia Lawrence (PL): I was the Editor-in-Chief of Black World in the late 70s.

KA: What motivated you to join Black World?

PL: I wanted to be a part of a Black organization on campus, but other Black organizations didn’t interest me the way Black World did because here, I was able to write about Black activities and Black students on campus. A friend of mine invited me to come one day and see what it was about because she knew I was interested