CAITLIN WHITE
Staff Writer
Black Student Union will host its first African American Teachers Appreciation Dinner, Tuesday, Feb. 13, to honor black faculty members as part of many events planned for Black History Month.
“It will be a time for students and faculty to speak on behalf of African American teachers on campus and recognize them.” said senior Lani Camcho, BSU public relations representative.
A weekly display in the bookstore windows representing various topics has been a BSU tradition during February. One theme for this year will be a display of black-influenced literature.
Aside from this exhibit, BSU hosted its kick-off event, a Motown Coffee House last Thursday Feb. 1, at the Sandbar. The coffeehouse was put on in conjunction with the Student Programming Board.
“The Coffee House with Student Programming was new, usually we just hold separate ones, but having this big huge one feels like a coming together, and building better relationships on campus,” Camcho said.
The SPB Coffee House coordinator for this year, freshman Anthony Barnes, was excited at the chance to celebrate Black History Month.
“Its really good working with BSU on this project, it allows us to offer such a diverse event, something new instead of just the same old coffee house,” he said.
The event included home cooked food like fried chicken, as well as the traditional coffee, along with live performances. Ashley Ross, sophomore and a member of BSU who attended the event said she appreciated the teamwork involved.
“I think it’s great that even though the Coffee House was sponsored by BSU, the Student Programming Board is supporting us, and we’re joining forces,” Ross said.
Freshman Bell Hoy, another member of BSU says she is eager to embrace the celebration of Black History Month.
“The Motown theme doesn’t do it justice, but it is certainly a beginning,” Hoy said.
Though the BSU is predominantly black, it welcomes all races, ethnicities and backgrounds.
BSU president, senior Chad Martin has been involved with BSU for four years and says the goals of the Black Student Union are to include everyone, and expand diversity.
“Our purpose is really just to be inclusive, we aren’t limited to African Americans at all, we are open to everyone,” he said. “We just want to merge the gap, especially with the African American student body on campus.”
Senior Angela Muiruri, vice president of BSU, says she feels the same way.
“BSU is actually one of the most multicultural groups on campus, and anyone can be involved,” she said.
Even outside of Black History Month, the BSU hosts many events throughout the year to foster involvement and community.
Freshman Tiffany Enciso- Williams says she has found BSU is a great way to get involved.
“I knew a lot of the older people in it, like those on the Executive Board, so they always invited me to go to events and I started going,” she said, “It’s a lot of fun, it really brings people together in a social environment.”
The BSU recently hosted an outing for students to go see the movie “Stomp the Yard,” and also put on a Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner.
Muiruri emphasizes the opportunities it contains for students.
“It is a great creative outlet,” she said. “The step team developed out of BSU, as well as the gospel choir. We work closely with the intercultural affairs office as well.”
Upcoming Convo events will celebrate the successes of some of Pepperdine’s alumni. On February 28th Endyia Kinney Sterns, executive producer of Black Entertainment Television, will speak. While at Pepperdine, she helped found the gospel choir.
The Pepperdine Step Team will also participate in BSU’s celebration in February. Performances include events such as Midnight Madness, and the team is scheduled to perform at the Homecoming basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 17.
Black Student Union activities aim to acknowledge the importance of black heritage.
“We try to work on friendly education, our intention is for people to recognize that this history did happen, and it affects our lives today,” Muiruri said.
02-08-2007
