Black Student Union (BSU) at KSC provides a place for students of color to connect, play games, eat, have fun and discuss anything they wish to safely. On Friday, Sept. 18, BSU hosted its first meeting of the year in the Madison Street Lounge of the Student Center that featured a speech from special guest and Keene business owner Jeadminas Alexis, who founded the club during her time as a KSC student.
Upbeat music serenaded the room as snacks were shared, games were played and laughter filled the atmosphere. During her speech, Alexis highlighted how happy she was to see the club going strong and announced that she was partnering with BSU to offer discounts to active members at J Alexis Hair Braiding Studio, which she owns and operates.
Alexis detailed why she decided to start BSU on campus. “I grew up here in Keene. I’m originally from Haiti and I moved here in 2016,” Alexis shared. “There was always a small black community, and there were times where I didn’t feel like I fit in–not that I needed a specific group to fit in, but sometimes it just felt like something was missing. Every time I would come [on campus] I would see other black students, and I would just be like ‘I wish we could get together and really grow that community.'”
“I got COVID-19 and got quarantined in Owls Nest, and that’s when I started the whole process and recruited some people,” Alexis continued. “That’s really how it started growing and people started coming. We didn’t even have access to funds or access to a budget, but we would still get together and make some food and eat it together [and] things like that, and then we realized that it was something we really wanted, so we stuck with it.”
When asked what it meant to her to be able to see the club continuing on campus, Alexis said it felt amazing.
“Coming here and seeing new faces, seeing that this didn’t die out when I graduated. That was one thing I was worried about the most, because it meant that someone was gonna feel how I felt,” Alexis shared. “It definitely feels amazing to see all of this, and being here today is my way of supporting [the club] so they can keep growing, and I’ll continue to find ways to support them.”
KSC junior and President of BSU Lamari Davis shared some milestones the club was able to achieve so far this school year. “This year we got merch; that was the first time ever that we got merch,” Davis said. “We also had the first-ever tabling for BSU at the Student Involvement Fair. This club has only been a club for three years, so that was a really big deal and getting merch was also a really big deal.”
When asked what her favorite part about her role as president was, Davis responded, “Putting together events and seeing all of our black students and even our non-black students, our allies who help us, seeing their faces and them just talking and getting to know each other and feeling like they have a safe space is the best part about being BSU president.”
Davis detailed some of the events she is looking to have the club do this year. “I’m planning to do bowling– last year we had a really big bowling outing where there were 30 students who came, which was really amazing,” Davis said. “We’re gonna do lots of fundraising in February for Black History Month. I’m excited to see what we come up with and to have more people involved.”
Davis also gave some words of encouragement for students who may be thinking of joining BSU but haven’t yet.
“I would say just come by, see how you like the vibes. It’s a really chill space–today we’re just playing games and people are enjoying snacks that we bought, enjoying some merch and people’s time and company talking and sharing stories. I would just come and see if you like the environment. We do amazing outings and I would say that you should definitely join, even if you’re a person of non-color, just come and have fun.”
Senior and Vice President of BSU Al Costa spoke about his journey coming into his role. “When I first got to Keene, BSU was just starting and I had just randomly taken a position on the e-board doing social media,” Costa shared. “From there, I just kept coming and it was a welcoming environment.”
“I really like that the club brings everyone together,” Costa continued. “Without the club, when everyone’s scattered around in their own groups, it’s really easy to think that you’re the only person of color around, but the group makes it feel like you’re not alone here.”
Club-member Jozuwe Tunguru is a junior at KSC. When asked why he attends each BSU meeting, Tunguru shared that he enjoys meeting new people and feeling the connection the club brings. “Meeting new people and feeling welcomed is my favorite part about BSU,” Tunguru said. “We welcome everybody in this space–that has been a great thing about BSU.”
J Alexis Hair Braiding Studio is located on 16 Cypress Street in downtown Keene. Black Student Union will continue to hold meetings on Fridays in the Student Center’s Madison Room at 2 p.m.
Serena Taylor can be contacted at
staylor@kscequinox.com
