Diversity groups on campus host Black pride events

criminalization of marijuana and how it affects the Black and Brown communities.

Gilkey believes discussing topics related to diversity is important for the student population.

“Diversity involves hard conversations and educational moments, but there’s also a way to celebrate it,” Gilkey said.

Gilkey hopes to work as an ally and as a “megaphone” for underrepresented groups, so that the voices that need to be heard are given the outlet to speak.

By showing up to events sponsored by these offices, students provide the means in which the voices of underrepresented groups can be heard and spread.

The Black Student Union on campus plans to host its own series of events in February.

“One of our biggest events is happening on Feb. 24. It’s called the Black Excellence Showcase, and that’s just where we have our members come up and perform musical talents, dances and monologues to mingle with the Black students here and in surrounding areas,” said Kayla Willis, president of the Black Student Union.

She said attending these kinds of events is a way to support the Black community, not just at NSU, but in the surrounding area.

“Overall, Black Student Union is considered a resource here at NSU, and I believe by supporting Black Student Union, the students are helping us to gain traction so that we can go out into neighboring

BY JAROD JOHNSON

communities and help others,” Willis said.

Gilkey encourages members of these communities to find safe spaces in on-campus groups such as the Black Student Union.

“Engage and listen and learn,” Gilkey said. “These communities exist, in part, to be an affinity space for those direct communities to convene and feel safe.”