100 Years of Black History: Black Student Union Empowers and Inspires

Black Student Union (BSU) celebrated Black History Month during Feb. on the Pitt-Greensburg campus. The group hosted many events, including a flag raising, Black Friday tables, and the annual Soul Food Dinner.

Javon Brown, senior psychology major and president of BSU, wanted to make sure the club’s events had an impact.

“We asked ourselves, how do we bring more awareness and make our presence more known during Black History Month?” Brown said. 

This year, BSU leadership decided to do more than just raise the Black History Month flag. Each executive member made trifolds on a black figure or movement to educate students on black history in honor of 100 years of black history. 

The Black Friday table event allowed students to create a trifold on a black movement, including the Harlem Renaissance, Hip-Hop, and the Black Panther Party. 

“We (BSU) brainstormed what we wanted to highlight at the event that could educate students on topics less talked about,” Brown said.

Brown has many leadership positions on campus, including: president of BSU, vice president of the Student Activity Board, vice president of the Multicultural Student Coalition, senate president of the Student Government Association, building chair of Habitat for Humanity, and he is a community assistant, major mentor, and a peer leader. 

In his leadership positions, Brown says he tries to set a good example inside and outside of each organization. He explained that where he comes from, not a lot of black students go to college, so he hopes to show black students that they can thrive. 

“I want to display that anything is possible through my leadership and my experience,” Brown said. 

BSU has empowered many students since its creation in Jan. 2020, with Troy Ross, director of Housing, Residence Life, and Student Conduct, serving as the advisor. Roland Woods, assistant dean of students and Title IX liaison, became a co-advisor in Dec. 2022. 

Woods explained that BSU aims to be an inclusive club by ensuring that all ethnicities, genders, and nationalities are embraced on our campus. The club aims to connect with all students regardless of their background or skin color and create a sense of community and belonging for all students.

Woods said, “I would call BSU more so a family than a club because they support one another and anyone who wants to be embraced.”

Ross and Woods explained how rewarding it is to see students find themselves and grow into strong leaders utilizing the support of BSU. The advisors explained that BSU provides a community where black students are fully welcomed and able to achieve their dreams with support and guidance. 

 “I enjoy witnessing a new student develop from a slightly timid freshman into a strong student leader in BSU,” Ross said.

Woods explained that he has seen students who have struggled with their identity, peer pressure, or the rigors of academic success overcome those obstacles and become successful. He said that he is glad to be involved in a club that empowers the campus in different ways and is not exclusive. 

“I think what BSU has attempted to do,” Woods said,  “is to help other people realize that the world is a rainbow.”

BSU is open to all students and is an opportunity to meet new people and learn from their differing perspectives. 

“Being a black student is more than just your skin color. There are so many ways to express who you are in your own blackness, and the way you identify doesn’t truly matter,” Brown said. “BSU creates a community where you can discover who you are and achieve anything.”