By Dillon Seawright
Towards the beginning of the semester, I was given the opportunity to attend the first Black Student Union meeting of the ’22-’23 school year. After attending the meeting, I instantly wanted to highlight the Union. Lea Mondesir (‘25), president of the Black Student Union, was more than willing to offer more information on the topic.
In 2013, Michael Frye came up with the idea of the Black Student Union. In 2014, it was made official. After hard work put in by members of the club, the Black Student Union was recognized as an association in 2017. The Union was inspired to be a safe place for minority students, giving them a home away from home. “We also wanted to make it aware to others that despite the adversity that we face, we are more than a color.There is depth in our history and we want to educate and share that with those who are not familiar,” Mondesir.
I asked, “How important is it to have the Black Student Union here at Southern Virginia University?
Mondesir responded by digging into why the Union was created, “I believe that our association is the melting pot of all cultures and has created a safe space for black and brown voices to be heard which will be inclusive to all. I tell my members all the time that we are a family and I would love for those on campus to feel the same when they think about BSU—a big family.”
I also got the chance to speak with Jalan Troy (‘25), a member of the Black Student Union. Troy told me, “I joined the black student union last year. My favorite part of it has to be meeting black people from all different walks of life. It has made a major impact on my life. It has gifted me new friends and helped me build bonds with our fellow members.”
“Our association was not made to stand out; one of our main objectives is to stand with Southern Virginia University and its counterparts. We created this safe space for the minorities on campus, but we also wanted to create a platform for others to come and understand us rather than have stereotypes be associated with our members. Gaining this position of leadership and being able to resonate with the members of BSU has opened my eyes to different perspectives that has helped me learn more about others and myself. This association has removed certain lenses and caused me to respond to others with an open mind and an open heart. I enjoy educating others on our culture and sharing differences but also our many similarities. Which is why I encourage everyone to share this experience with us, even if it is just once. There is strength in unity,” Mondesir.
Every Wednesday at 7 p.m., The Black Student Union hosts weekly meetings in the Academic Building room 211. Besides their weekly meetings, they will be hosting several events this year such as a campus wide Field Day, Women’s Empowerment Brunch, service projects, and so much more. Mondesir said, “Our presence on campus is not to make anyone feel uncomfortable. We encourage everyone to interact with us and gain a different perspective.” Their goals is to provide positive and productive representation for the African American community, advocate the needs of the students at Southern Virginia while empowering, teaching and exploring the black experience, and to promote proactive leadership and community outreach. If you are interested in finding out more about their association, follow them on instagram @bsu.svu and fill out the form in their bio! They hope to see some new faces!
A Melting Pot Of Cultures: The Black Student Union was originally published in The Herald on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.