Diversity groups on campus host Black pride events

By Ronald Martinez •

With Black History Month on the horizon and with the recent celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 16, NSU students, regardless of racial identity, have many outlets to support the Black student population. Various groups at NSU have planned events to celebrate and honor the contributions of the Black community.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Student Leadership and Civic Engagement Office hosted the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service to embrace the civil leader’s legacy.

Students present their independent businesses at last semester’s Black Owned Event. PHOTO BY JAROD JOHNSON.

“It is a day to take a beat and recognize the contributions that Martin Luther King Jr. has had, not only to the American justice system, but also to the Black community as a representative for the group,” said Tyler Gilkey, graduate assistant in the Of-fi ce of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.

On Jan. 26, the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging will host “Pot Party,” a terrarium event including discussions on the 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.

A student entrepreneur presents her products to other students at last semester’s Black Owned Event. PHOTO BY JAROD JOHNSON.

“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 sup-port the Black community, not just at NSU, but in the sur-rounding 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 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.”