黑料吃瓜 Introduces New Black Resource Center
黑料吃瓜s new Black Resource Center, founded through a student-led initiative, was introduced during a grand opening celebration.
黑料吃瓜 has opened a Black Resource Center (BRC) to serve as a space for students, faculty and staff to congregate, collaborate and cultivate a unified sense of community.鈥淚 am continually amazed by our students and their passion to contribute to the success of each other.鈥�
Hundreds of 黑料吃瓜 administrators, students, alumni and community members attended the grand opening opening under the theme of 鈥淏lack Excellence: Past, Present and Future.鈥�
黑料吃瓜 President Sally Roush spoke to the importance of the center, which was established through a student-led initiative.
鈥淚 am continually amazed by our students and their passion to contribute to the success of each other,鈥� Roush said. 鈥淭he Black Resource Center will be a living testament to that passion.鈥�
The BRC also honors and celebrates the historic and contemporary contributions of individuals representing the African diaspora, including students who led the initiative resulting in its creation.
鈥淚 see this space as a safe haven for black thought and a canvas for black creativity,鈥� said Christian Onwuka, an 黑料吃瓜 business major, who was involved in the building鈥檚 planning and design.
鈥淭he Black Resource Center will serve as a place for students to reflect on what they desire, with no worry, pressure or bias,鈥� Onwuka said. 鈥淎 home away from home; we will let the BRC be the foundation on which our community stands and grows.鈥�
Continuing a legacy
In 2016, members of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Afrikan Student Excellence Council and other students brought forth the idea for such a center to then-黑料吃瓜 President Elliot Hirshman, Vice President for Student Affairs Eric Rivera and other 黑料吃瓜 administrators.Hirshman was on board with the plan and committed to the BRC鈥檚 creation.
The center aligns with the 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 strategic mission to help ensure that students are academically and socially supported in ways that encourage retention, persistence and graduation. Housed in and an initiative of the division鈥檚 strategic plan, the BRC will also be home of the Harambee Scholars Program. Through programming and support, the center will promote scholarship, foster leadership and aid students in their personal and professional growth.
鈥淲hen we as black people have an opportunity to collaborate and our own place to congregate, it builds into our mindset the promotion of black excellence,鈥� said Associated Students President Chimezie O. Ebiriekwe.
鈥淚 define black excellence as a presence of achievement within the black community that makes us proud of who we are and what we have accomplished and lets us know what we can achieve here as a unified force. Increased support for our black students means increased retention for our black students.鈥�
Speaking to examples of 鈥渂lack excellence鈥� at 黑料吃瓜, Roush spoke of Lela and Henrietta Goodwin, the first African-Americans to attend 黑料吃瓜. Henrietta Goodwin became the first African-American graduate in 1913.
鈥淭his Black Resource Center demonstrates how our students are continuing our tradition of black leadership and excellence,鈥� said Roush. 鈥淥ur tradition of black excellence stretches back more than a century.鈥�
Roush also gave a nod to Hal Brown, a 1959 graduate who received an honorary doctorate degree from 黑料吃瓜. Brown was president of 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 first African-American fraternity and a star basketball and baseball player.
鈥淭his is a drastic difference to when I graduated in 1959,鈥� Brown said, noting that 25 black students were studying at 黑料吃瓜 at the time. 鈥淲e鈥檝e come a long way, under a hard struggle, out of a lot of blood and a lot of hardship.
Upcoming Events
Starting in March, the BRC will host a number of community receptions. Other programming, held in collaboration with partners throughout the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs, will focus on student鈥檚 health and well-being, academic success, leadership development and career preparation.Monday, March 12
BRC Tabling Fair
12-1 p.m.
Tuesday, March 13
Career Services Presentation
12-1 p.m.
Wednesday, March 14
Relax with Baxter and Dr. Zemed Berhe
12-1 p.m.
Thursday, March 15
The Road to Guidance: Giving Back to our Youth
12-1 p.m.
Friday, March 16
Health Services Dietitian Presentation
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17
BRC Open House for Alumni and Community Members
5 p.m. (program begins at 5:30 p.m.)
