Washburn Black Student Union hosts first meeting

Judea Anderson, Content Creator • August 29, 2024

Dean Stewart, freshman forensic investigation major, and Arik Rolle, freshman physics major, are both attending the Black Student Union meeting and enjoying their time socializing. At this meeting, students learned about the organization and being part of the greater Washburn community. Photo courtesy of Sam DeLeon, freshman pre-medicine major.

Washburn’s Black Student Union met for the first time in the fall 2024 semester Aug. 26, starting off with an introduction of all the members who participated.

Desiree Cain, senior psychology major and president of WBSU, led off the introduction for the other members. Mia Terrell, junior criminal justice major and WBSU treasurer, told her story of why WBSU is important to her being from a white institution most of her life, she finally got her chance to integrate into her community and find people who looked like her.

Throughout the meeting, students learned about each member and what they do by participating in the Washburn community and trying to get students to join. The organization provided pizza and popsicles for everyone as well as games afterward. Being involved in WBSU allows students to see further into the lives of some of their peers that they interact with on a day-to-day basis.

“I feel as if more people should come to [WBSU] meetings in general because it gives out more information on how we live,” said Amari Rawls, junior occupational therapy and health service administration major. “You get to see how we are together as just one big community and it spreads awareness around campus that we are here and we matter.”

Rawls also stated that even if a student is not a person of color, being involved in WBSU can still be an impactful experience in their lives because it will help them get exposure and integrate themselves into different communities.

During the meeting, Cain also talked about the upcoming events WBSU will have. On Sept. 5, they’ll be holding an out-of-uniform event in the Washburn A/B room where they’ll invite students to meet with the Washburn University Police Department to talk about any concerns students have and learn a little more about them. WBSU will also be getting together every Monday to discuss any problems or matters the students have.

During the meeting, WBSU expressed that their goal is to foster a community and engage with each other. It’s another family for some students and is always open for new members to join.

Edited Jeremy Ford and Jayme Thompson

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About the Contributor

Judea Anderson, Content Creator

Hi, my name is Judea. I am a sophomore in mass media with a concentration in film and video. I’m from Wichita, but stay here in Topeka for the school year. I enjoy reading, writing, and spending time with friends and family. Outside school and reporting for student media, I work with children.