Black Student Union

By: Averial Evans

The Black Student Union is known for holding some of the biggest events on campus. From annual spring fashion shows showcasing local and even student brands to annual suit and tie events like the Excellence in Ebony Gala held every fall, who are the students behind these largescale events?

Students during the day to student leaders by night, some of this year’s executive board members for the Black Student Union, like BSU President Deja Banner, a senior behavioral neuroscience major, have a clear mission for the organization. Besides the want to promote black excellence and safe spaces on campus, she hopes for a legacy.

“My hope is that BSU continues to thrive and can live on and leave a legacy and an imprint in Quinnipiac’s community,” Banner said. “Because a lot of the multicultural orgs get overlooked.”

In the wake of wanting to leave that legacy and an impact on the QU community, the organization has already done so by first leaving its mark on those in executive positions.

Emma McDonald, a sophomore nursing major and BSU treasurer, says how her leadership position helped her further understand personal feelings about fitting in.

“I found as a member in the BSU especially as a biracial person who felt like I was never enough of one race, that the leadership role and representative power in a multicultural org has been helpful personally in learning more about myself,” McDonald said.

Other executive board members, like Hallye Boughner, a sophomore nursing major and director of public relations for BSU, believe that her role in the organization has allowed her to learn and express herself, ideas and leadership style.

“It has allowed me to find my leadership style, and truly embody my values,” Boughner said. “BSU has provided many opportunities to express myself creatively by allowing me to voice my ideas for events. My position as director of public relations has been a creative outlet to show my abilities with graphic design.”

As the multicultural org has helped these students find their voice, they hope to echo this sentiment to their members and the Quinnipiac community.

“We’re a very welcoming community,” Banner said. “We want everyone to feel included, we don’t want anyone to feel left out or excluded. We want everyone to know your opinions are heard and you matter.”