You may have seen them at the recent Black History Month convo, or at a table in Westlawn Hall, but how well do you really know those heading the Black Student Union? Egypt Boyd, Jalen Borneo John and Miguel Aguilar are all newly appointed leaders of BSU, but that isn’t all they do.

Boyd probably has the fullest schedule of the group. Boyd is a sophomore with a double major in film production and writing, which already leads to a busy class schedule. But adding her involvement in PIN, Student Senate, The Record, Squirrel Digest and BSU, it’s easy to wonder how she has any free time at all. She was most attracted to the community aspect of BSU, and hopes to share that feeling of belonging with others. She described her gratitude towards BSU leaders last year, and said, “GC has a space for me … I kind of want to give people that same feeling I had when I first came here.”

Borneo John is a junior exercise science major, with a psychology minor. He also loves the community that BSU is building. “Connection is just one of the most amazing things in life in general. Just having someone that you can have this deep understanding with or that understands you.” He also loves the different cultural backgrounds different people bring to the group. “Yes we might be of the same race, we might look like each other, but we all have unique experiences. We have many different people ranging from Africa to the U.S. to the Caribbean, all over, and it’s much different than just our skin color … all of us coming together to share stories or just having that connection on a deeper level.”

Aguilar is a first-year business major, and as well as being involved in Lavender Jazz and the Squirrel Digest, he serves as the treasurer for BSU. He said that what drew him to join BSU was his spreadsheet class. “[Egypt] was talking about BSU. And I was like, oh, I mean, every group has a treasurer. Let me be that treasurer … everything money related. I can handle it,” he said. “I like seeing most of the logistics sides too, but mainly my main focus is just money managing.”

All three of these leaders emphasized the inclusivity they want to build in this group. Aguilar said, “I want to give this feeling that just because you’re not Black doesn’t mean you can’t join BSU … I want to bring this feeling that everyone can join BSU, no matter what kind of person they are.” Boyd echoed this sentiment, saying that “BSU’s main goal is just to provide a community not only for Black students on campus, but a community that’s kind of, like involved in a little bit of everything, because you know, we’re here. And we’re not going away.”

Borneo John agreed, talking about how some people seem to just ignore them. “Oftentimes we promote something and people will just walk straight by us,” he said. “I understand, you’re not obligated to give us the time of day, but, you know, I just wish that you would at least come and inquire about it. It would be nice to, you know, see you at a few events.”

Students don’t have to wait long to attend a BSU event. On Feb. 12, they will be hosting an open house in Wyse 108. “Our goal is kind of to have everyone come, share their ideas, if they have any concerns, maybe questions … it’s just all about inclusion and trying to get to a foundation of where do they want to see BSU going?” said Borneo John.

While this event is next up on the list, it is not the only thing this group has planned for the semester. Boyd mentioned that they plan on hosting a Mario Kart competition, and Aguilar mentioned planning a history night. He described it as “a chance for you to ask questions without being scared. We just don’t want to have events where we have people just come in and hang out and socialize. But also, it’s a place for people to learn, to ask questions, to not be afraid, to also have a sense of different cultures.” As Boyd said, “There’s no better community than everyone being together. And I know it’s difficult sometimes, and I know it’s hard, but I think that’s what I want to be able to see by the time I graduate; people actually seeing each other and interacting with each other.”

All three of these leaders are excited for the upcoming semester, and have big things planned for BSU, and are inviting others on campus to join them. Aguilar said, “We would like you to come. It’s completely free, and it’s a good way for you to connect with other people, meet your friends, friendships. Who knows, maybe being there could lead you to making connections. Who knows? It’s so many possibilities.”