Elon University’s Black Student Union came together on Phi Beta Kappa Commons to welcome new students to their Welcome B(l)ack Cookout on August 28th. They had food, games and a student DJ to fill the space.
Vice President of Special Events Juliette Elise Hill said this event is a space for inclusivity and collectiveness among the Black community.
“It's mainly just a time to welcome all the new first-years across Elon's campus,” Hill said. “It’s also a time for the whole Black community to come and see each other once again after being away for so long.”
Hill, along with the rest of the BSU executive board, began planning this event over the summer. BSU President Brianna Crawford said the group's goal is to ensure Black students feel supported from their very first day on campus.
“I feel like community is the foundation of success,” Crawford said. “We all need somebody to lean on. We all need to feel seen, feel heard. And this is definitely the space for that.”
Crawford said that no matter who you are, they want to welcome students who are looking to educate and empower those around them.
“I mean, going to a PWI, we have a smaller Black population that has been growing, but this is an opportunity for first-years and returners to get to know one another, get to connect and really just build community,” she said.
BSU has several events planned, and their main goal for this school year, according to Hill, is to educate and break down stereotypes within their culture.
“There's no point to live in ignorance anymore,” she said. “We're all in college, so it's time to educate ourselves.”
Part of that growth, Hill said, comes from redefining what Black identity looks like on campus.
“Be the Black that you are, and not like the Black that we expect you to be,” Hill said.
For more information about the Black Student Union and their upcoming events, Crawford said to check out their Instagram and Phoenix Connect.