Black World March 2024 Women’s History Month Edition

WOMEN’S

HISTORY MONTH

BLACKWORLD MARCH 2024

A NOTE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT Dear Readers,

As we celebrate Women's History Month, it is crucial to reflect on the remarkable achievements and contributions of women throughout history. This month provides us with an invaluable opportunity to honor the resilience, strength, and determination of women who have shaped our world in countless ways.

At Black World, we recognize the importance of amplifying women's voices and ensuring their representation in positions of power. Women's perspectives are not only valuable but essential for fostering diversity, equality, and progress in our society. By highlighting their stories, experiences, and accomplishments, we not only pay tribute to their enduring legacy but also inspire future generations of women to break barriers and pursue their dreams.

This Women's History Month, let us reaffirm our dedication to celebrating the achievements of women past and present and pledge to empower future generations of women to lead, innovate, and shape a brighter tomorrow.

Sincerely, Oluwatoyin Kupoluyi Vice President

CONTRIBUTORS

Lara Diyaolu Sumaiyah Khan Ayanna Hunter Jazela Wright Jordan Mayers Mandley Sophia Camulaire Anthoni Haynes Edward Yeboah Oluwatoyin Kupoluyi

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BEING A

WOMAN AYANNA HUNTER

Throughout history, women have made mass contributions to the growth and development of nations across the world, improving the lives of people in past, present, and future generations.

Women have been and are trail blazers, leaders of social justice movements, and symbols of change.

The theme of Women’s History Month this year celebrates “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.” Therefore, I want to call attention to a woman who embodies those traits, in our community.

At Stony Brook University (SBU) we have had the privilege of having many women in our community who have fostered spaces of inclusivity, advocated for representation, and broken down barriers. One woman in particular who has made a significant impact on the SBU community for herself and others is Deborah Britton-Riley (Ms. Deborah), a coordinator for the New Student and Transition Program, mentor, and author.

Ms. Deborah attended SBU as an undergraduate student and continued her education here as a graduate student. Born and raised in Harlem, New York, it was and is important to her to be a part of spaces where she could find community,“I was always very involved with black students on campus,” said Ms. Deborah. ”That’s who I was and who I am.”

However, one of her greatest accomplishments involving black students on campus is her creation of Black Women’s Weekend (BWW) in 1978 as a graduate student. BWW, now called Black Women’s Association (BWA), was a weekend that celebrated young black women on campus, providing mentorship and a space to cultivate community. “[It] was a weekend to… celebrate who we were,” Ms. Deborah stated. “The precursor to that was understanding who we were as young black women and collectively we were trying to answer that question.”

Since its birth, BWW has hosted many activities: “Thursday we would have our banquet, Friday night [we would have our] play, [which] would be delivered in the Union written by one of the BWW members, and then Saturday night was our fashion show,” she explained. “Then sunday, we’d

have a community barbecue picnic… we’d do double dutching, games, things of that nature, and it really built community.”

Ms. Deborah left BWW for a while and joined another group in the early 80s & 90s. She participated in their programs “as a consumer” but later came back to work at Stony Brook in 1992 and began to mentor the organization again.

“Some of our history has been lost. It wasn’t documented in the matter it has been documented since,” said Ms. Deborah. “So I provided a perspective that they were not familiar with which changed the entire trajectory of the organization... I made sure that I documented as much as I possibly could of the forty year history that I have participated in…”

Ms. Deborah is a woman who understands the importance of history and keeping records of personal and group achievements. However, in the absence of historical knowledge, it can be difficult for many to find an adequate example to follow that will lead to the betterment of the organization.

Due to Ms. Deborah’s departure, the absence of historical examples, and generational differences, the culture of BWW had changed, “some of the things that were… acceptable at that time (When she returned she BWW) that weren’t acceptable when we first started in terms of the profanity and the music, [and] the manner in which people were expressing themselves,” she explained. We made sure that the music that accompanied anything we were doing had been reviewed [and] had been edited so there was no profanity.”

In addition to ensuring BWW played music that was appropriate, Ms. Deborah stressed punctuality, “We made sure that our programs started on time. These are some of the basic elements to let other people see that we’re very serious about what we do,” she highlighted. “These are micro skills that you’ll utilize now and develop now that can help you as you transition into your careers. We were so successful in doing that that people wanted to be a part of what we were doing.”

Mentoring and helping others, especially young women, is what Ms. Deborah calls her passion.

However, this calling did not begin with her, “I saw my mother navigating between being a domestic, taking care of us (Ms. Deborah and her siblings), taking care of her elderly parents who lived with us, [and] taking care of her sister who was in a domestic relationship that wasn’t very good,” she recalled.

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“I saw my mother be politically active. I saw my mother support people that were downtrodden… I remember when there was a drought in Africa… I remember her writing ‘I love you’ on these little pieces of paper that we would cut them up and pin them to clothes that we were mailing to Africa.”

Taking these lessons she learned from her mother, Ms. Deborah was able to build a supporting community in BWW, “It’s always been about sisterhood,” she highlighted. . “It continues to be about sisterhood… liking yourself, learning who you are as a woman, and becoming a better woman.”

Ms. Deborah stressed that a large reason as to why her mentorship is so effective and receptive to students is because of her honesty, “I hope I am someone that you can communicate with, someone that's real, that will be honest with you,” she said. “If it’s a plus b equals c, then it’s a plus b equals c. I’m not gonna try and change the trajectory of what that is. I'm real. I'm honest… it's as simple as that… And I’m kind hearted.”

I’m gonna be better tomorrow than I am today.

I’m gonna be more… considerate, I’m gonna love a little bit more, I’m gonna be a little bit more patient… I love who I am. I love who I’ve become.”

In my opinion, being a woman is to be one of the smartest, if not the smartest person in the room whether your intelligence is acknowledged or not.

Being a woman is to be fearless and fight for the rights of your people and others even in the face of danger.

Being a woman means to relearn how to love yourself and be confident in the love you have for yourself despite living in a society that tells you that you are not enough or are too much.

Being a woman is to care about other people and to create change from that compassion. Being a woman is power.

Being a woman is strength. Being a woman is beautiful. Being a woman is love in its purest form.

So, when it comes to Ms. Deborah’s gender, she “Wouldn’t change a thing.”

As well as prioritizing honesty, Ms. Deborah specified the importance of cultivating a strong sense of self worth,”She emphasized that it is vital for women, “To love yourself,” said Ms. Deborah. ” To ask yourself, are you in the best situation you can be in and if you’re not, let’s figure out how to.”

However, as much as she has educated young women, young women have also taught her a few lessons, such as “ To be patient and not be so judgemental,” said Ms. Deborah.

When I asked Ms. Deborah what she loved most about being a woman, she had this to say:, “I love the fact that we’re smart. I know we see things differently than men,” she told me. “We have a completely different perspective on so many things, a more thorough, engaging, realistic opinion about things. I just love being a woman. Being a woman affords you the opportunity to look at things from a perspective that’s so awe inspiring.”

Beyond the pride Ms. Deborah has for being a woman, she described her favorite aspects of being a black woman, “I love being a woman. I love being a black woman and walking into a room and it’s only white people in the room. I love it. I love getting on an elevator and white men are in the elevator and they’re short and I make sure I stand up even taller than I am. I’m tall already. I love it,” said Ms. Deborah. “I just love strutting my stuff when I can because I am who I am and I’m confident in who I am. I love me. I’m always working on me…

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MS. DEBORAH BRITTON-RILEY

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH OPENING CELEBRATION LUNCHEON:

WOMEN WHO ADVOCATE FOR EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION JAZELA WRIGHT STONY BROOK— For this Women’s History Month celebration, Stony Brook University kicked it off with a luncheon event on March 6, with the theme —Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Special guest performances were showcased, an array of food and refreshments was served, and panelists spoke of their personal experiences.

Held in SAC Ballroom A, different organizations banded together to make this event successful.

Organizations like the Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement Organization (DICE), the LGBTQ Center, and the Women's History Month Committee came together to hold this luncheon to celebrate the women here at Stony Brook and all that they do in fighting for the students on this campus.

Associate Director of DICE and Co-chair of Women's History Month Committee, Judy Jaquez invited to the stage panelists speakers, Arnika Edwards, the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Career and Leadership Development and Unity Watts Bailey, Interim Director of Residential Education for Apartments & Suites to share their personal hardships in the workplace and their careers. Topics of sexuality, equity, and even appreciation towards women were discussed during the panel. Jaquez stated that their goal through this event was to ensure “Representation from a wide range of experiences from our faculty, staff, and students.”

In the section of “Student Spotlight,” performances of singing and spoken word were given by Jayleen Garcia and Jazela Wright, wowing the crowd. An array of decadent food was served and guests enjoyed it as they conversed and fellowshipped with each other.

The Women's History Luncheon was an event to remember, filled with sisterhood, acknowledgment, and appreciation, shining a spotlight on the diversity and inclusion of women on the campus of Stony Brook; the adversity that women face and go through, and how there’s still far to go in seeing equity and justice in different spaces for women.

LUNCHEON 4

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM:

THE WOMAN WHO DARED TO BE THE FIRST JORDAN MAYERS MANDLEY

Born on November 30, 1924, in Brooklyn, New York Shirley Chisholm was the oldest of four children to parents Charles and Ruby Seale. She attended Brooklyn Girls High School, graduating in 1942. She went on to Brooklyn College from 1942 to 1946 and earned her Master's in early childhood education at Columbia University Teachers College in 1951.

In 1960, she was a consultant to the New York City Division of Day Care. Aware of societal issues, she joined countless programs such as the League of Women Voters, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League, as well as the Democratic Party club in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, aiming to make an impact. laphamsquarterly.org

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM

In 1964, Chisholm ran for and became the second African American in the New York State Legislature. After court-ordered redistricting, her neighborhood was democratically influenced.

Thus, Chisholm ran for and won a seat in Congress.

She introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation and fought for racial and gender equality, the conditions of the poor, and ending the Vietnam War. In 1971, She was a co-founder of the National Women's Political Caucus.

britannica.com

In 1972, she became the first African-American and the second woman to make a bid for U.S. president when running for the Democratic party.

Shirley’s legacy as a trailblazer in politics, fighting for the conditions of the poor, anti-war, gender equality, and so on, has cemented her name in history for years to come.

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Have you heard the news?

Sophia Camulaire Have you heard the news?

Harvard’s first Black president, Claudine Gay left office after 6 months and 2 days.

A lynching decision that took us all by surprise I fear there is more to her side than what meets the erudite eye.

Perhaps, a plan devised by dignitaries in disguise?

Oh, Claudine, my queen, how obscenely were you riddled before the world to see?

What they say about you means nothing to me, for their truth lies behind covert secrecy.

May you Queen Claudine become a powerful testimony among 21st Century Haitian Revolutionaries.

May you finish your race in all excellence and grace until the day you and I see the Lord’s face.

Hand over my chest, Claudine Gay you did your best.

Hand over my heart, Queen Claudine is where Black Excellence starts.

It pays to be Claudine Gay. It’s as if Black people are in a race with no one to relay.

Passing the baton to sayers of nay, while other runners manage to get carried away.

Oh, Claudine, my queen look to your left and see life for what it truly means.

We are independent, but never free, we work hard to avoid being called lazy, we appear tough before the world to see, because vulnerability does not come easily for you and me.

And when all is said and done, deep down in the furnace of our own soul, do we still feel unworthy?

To the doors of opportunity that appear to be shut for eternity, we say Mesi Jesu ( thank you, Jesus) Paske Yon Lòt Pòt Ap Ouvri ( for a new door will open) Si W Kwè Nan Li (if you believe in Him) because God is not finished writing your story.

news.harvard.edu

CLAUDINE GAY

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CONFESSIONS OF A BLACK AND LATINO STUDENT LEADER ANTHONI HAYNES

To some, I go by Guyanese Prince. I am the current public relations officer at Black World and an undergraduate coordinator in Student Media Services. Some positions I have held are Treasurer and President/ Editor and Chief of Black World from 2021-2022/ 2022-2023. I am also the current president and former Vice-President of the Caribbean Student Organization. I am also a former Senator and Executive Assistant in the Undergraduate Student Government.

MY JOURNEY My first official semester at Stony Brook was in the fall of 2020, after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. I was an EOP freshman; everyone was masked up, GBMs were online, and I didn't know what to expect or where to find my place. In Spring 2021, I took a new job as a Student Assistant in Student Media Services with Isobel Breheny-Schafer. My first assignment was to join BlackWorld, a recently inactive club that needed to be active again. And so I sat in as treasurer for the academic year and the following academic year. Coincidentally, that year, my friend and EOP mentor was president of the Undergraduate Student Government and encouraged me to run for senator, so I ran and won. I also served as executive assistant in USG Student Life and was Vice-chair of the Student Activities Board. From then on, I started writing reviews of fashion shows, and as I did that I noticed something bit by bit about the club and realized this was something that I wanted to grow and be a part of.

In May 2022, I was elected president of Black World, and I had a mission to make a central platform in which Black and Latino students can express themselves on campus. Luckily, I was in the right place. I joined the Caribbean Student Organization my sophomore year as a public relation officer who then became the vicepresident. I am currently serving as president. I'm also involved with SDjs. Throughout my time here I've hosted and planned events, along with general body meetings, in addition to creating new events along with traditional events. What I'm most proud of is helping facilitate the return of the Black World , finding my passion as an emcee, and workin on events with the Caribbean Student Organization.

For those interested in becoming leaders, I wrote a little manual, a step-by-step booklet to get you on track.

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BUILD RELATIONSHIPS & MAKE INCLUSIVE SPACES Know your frequent collaborators but also branch out, find out no people to collaborate with and always remember to create inclusive and safe spaces.

BE UNIQUE & BE CREATIVE Do something different; bring new ideas to the table. Stony Brook is a school with traditions, but just because something is a tradition doesn't mean you can't do something different; the sky's the limit.

KNOW YOUR ADVISORS & ALLIES Know your allies, those who can help you. Allies can be anyone other than student leaders, faculty members, and staff. It's essential to know who you can call, especially in times of crisis or emergency or when you have to build something up.

HOLD ONTO YOUR INTEGRITY Never compromise your integrity; know your principles. If something doesn't make you comfortable, do not do it. Be mindful of those who want to use you for “favors” and personal gain.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION Always be prepared for conflict to arise because it will, and knowing what the problem is and how to solve it is key.

BE ORGANIZED Being a college student comes with a busy schedule and it is easy to become overwhelmed and overbooked but it's important to find a method to your madness. Make sure you have your own way to be organized and stay on to top of things KNOW YOUR TOOLS Learn SB Engaged, 25live, USG bylaws, and campus department resources.

BE PREPARED TO SAY NO & HEAR NO

MY THANKS

At times it is tempting to want to do everything but one must remember to say no, to protect your time and peace. It's also important to expect no, from advisors, from club members, from the people around.

Of course, all my endeavors and work at Stony Brook University could not be done without the help of many people, and I want to extend a special thank you to Isobel Breheny-Schafer, Elizabeth Frisenda, Carlos Cobo, Dean Ric McClendon, Huntley Spencer, Melanie Intriago, Deborah-Britton Riley, Natasha McCombs, Kailey Charles, Melissa Perez, Dillon Peters, Arvena DeShield, Jayleen Garcia, Kafiilat Abdul, Philip Austin, Isabella Begazo, Damilys Santana-Vargas, Alana Vazquez, Oluwatumnise, Mehki Mitchell, Tobi, Courtney Bentham, Jaiden Francis, Andrew Candio, Aminah Cumberbatch, Victoria Sarita, Christopher Jean, Wideline Jean, Javis Jones, Audrey Fernandez, Julio Taku, Taje Nelson, Ethan Jia, Esther Alatashe, Priya Dhawtal, Annabelle Ablard, Akaansha Kundra, Oluwatobi Fadugba, Jaiden Francis and Oluwatoyin Kupoluyi.

BRING ON NEW LEADERS Always think of the future and who will continue the work and the legacy. When selecting someone to fill your shoes or continue to your club, position, etc, always look for those who are eager, have new ideas, and want to consider the legacy. Be open to mentoring and answering questions.

HAVE FUN Remember even in the the most stressful situations, you are a human being, you are a student, and the fact that you are taking time to build community speaks volumes.

KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE Always keeps in mind the population that you serve, the people that you are trying to cater too.

OWN YOUR IDENTITY Know your identity, be unapologetically Black, unapologetically Latino, be unapologetically you.

Don’t let anybody take it from you are tell you who you are supposed to be or supposed to act

ANTHONI HAYNES

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