One of UC High’s most prominent clubs, the Black Student Union (BSU), is actively working to create a safer community for students of color, and the club meets every Thursday in room 225, with Club Advisors JROTC Teachers Gunnery Sergeant Clyde Harris and Master Sergeant Eric Cole.
“For me, being an advisor in itself is an honor. Being that I am extremely pro-Black makes being an advisor for BSU an even greater honor. I get the opportunity to be a living example for these young adults,” said Cole.
“Being a part of BSU means that you are open to learning new things and being an active member in your community. We advocate for the needs of our Black students while also trying our best to create a safe space,” said Club Vice President Sarah Gharagozlou. Cole explained that having a Black Student Union helps to increase exposure, cultivate creativity, and educate.
“BSU is for everyone who is willing to learn and become a larger part of their community. Don’t be shy or feel like you have to meet any requirements to be part of our club! We love seeing new faces every week and welcome everyone with open arms,” said Gharagozlou.
Cole said, “The Black Student Union is about inclusivity. You don’t have to be African American to join. As a matter of fact, one of the key board members is not African American.” The club is open to all students, and there is no deadline for joining.
“People who aren’t club members can support the club by following our social media and helping us raise money by buying our new upcoming BSU club stickers. We appreciate everyone who wants to support us both inside and outside of the club,” said Gharagozlou.
BSU plays a crucial role in the campus community. Not only do they provide a safe space for African American students, but they serve as a way to educate students on Black History. Black Student Unions gained traction during the civil rights movements in the sixties, and continue to be important contributors to racial equality within educational settings.
According to a college and career readiness website, Best Colleges, “The first Black Student Union was founded in 1966 at San Francisco State University. Shortly after, Black Student Unions were established at other campuses across the nation. Black Student Unions developed from the Black Campus Movement, which took place between 1965 and 1972” (bestcolleges.com).
Gharagozlou said, “It is important that a Black Student Union club exists on our campus, because Black students at UC deserve to have a safe space. There is a small percentage of Black students attending University City High School, and we feel that it is necessary for them to be able to connect with themselves as well as others. BSU provides a small community where we hope that our students feel free to speak their minds.”
According to the Best Colleges website,“Black Student Unions honor and celebrate Black culture. Additionally, these organizations can have a positive impact on a student’s identity development and academic success. They also provide Black students with a supportive community,” (bestcolleges.com).
Cole said, “African American culture is a culture that is unknown within its own origin, given the battle which we fight as Black culture, not knowing our authentic roots from Africa. So having a club in the school that provides an opportunity to educate African American students on said culture is essential.”
Club President Kimberley Vincent and Gharagozlou work hard to create a fun environment at each meeting. One way the club helps uplift the Black community is by diving into the history of African American culture.
With February being National Black History Month, Gharagozlou and Vincent are planning to host events in order to show appreciation for Black culture. “In order to celebrate Black History Month we are working on raising the Pan African flag here at school, which is an event that the BSU is trying to coordinate,” said Cole.
“Many of our club members are close friends and know each other outside of just the club. As the vice president, I have made many friends just by being in this club. The foundation of a good club is connection and respect for one another. We like to think of ourselves as a community and new people are always welcome,” said Gharagozlou.
The club promoted a field trip for a Black College Expo on February 8, and provided valuable information about how to apply to colleges, build a strong application, and handle the financial aspect of higher education. Vice-President Sarah Gharagozlou said, “This is a yearly field trip tradition held by BSU. It’s an amazing opportunity for our Black students to become acquainted with Historically Black Colleges and for them to unlock educational opportunities.”