This document is a newsletter from the Black Student Union at Brown University. It provides information on the executive board for the 2013-2014 school year. It summarizes some of the events held by the BSU recently, including a welcome back BBQ, film screenings from the Black Carpet Series, and their annual trip to the Black Solidarity Conference at Yale University. It also discusses their community partnerships with a local middle school through the Paw Pals mentoring program. The newsletter aims to keep readers informed about BSU's presence and activities on campus.

1. Black Student Union
Hello!
Issue 1: October/November 2013
The Executive Board
Ricardo Mullings ‘15
Thank you for reading and for
your support. We hope you
enjoy learning more about Black
Student Union’s presence on
Brown’s campus!
President
Jummy Akinsulire ‘16
Vice President
Isabelle Thenor-Louis ‘16
Sincerely,
University Affairs Chair
The Executive Board
Dakotah Rice ‘16
Finance Chair
Armani Madison ‘16
Public Relations Chair
David Johnson ‘16
Community Service Chair
Leadz Dorce ‘16
Historian
Karen Normil ‘16
Secretary
Then and Now
Black Student Union
Founded as the Organization of United African Peoples in 1967, Black Student Union has
served as a consistent source of support and community to black students on Brown’s
campus. Black Student Union has expanded in almost every avenue and will continue to
strive in reach out to the greater Brown community through programs and events. Last year,
we held the first annual Mr. and Ms. Black Student Union Pageant. We also implemented the
Black Carpet Series, a bi-weekly free screening of a popular black film. Our general body
meetings have also reached record-breaking numbers in attendance. We are so excited for
this upcoming year and hope you join us on our journey to a more united and prosperous
Black Student Union.
more on
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Welcome
Back BBQ
September 14, 2013
Harambee House
“I was thrilled to see so many new faces. I met a wonderful student from RISD, some
fantastic freshmen, and even some upperclassmen that I had not cross paths with
before.”
-Joshua Jackson ‘16
The Black Student Union invited
Brotherhood, The League of United
students to join us for our Welcome
Black Women, Alpha Phi Alpha
Back Barbeque. Over 70 students
Fraternity Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi
were in attendance. During the
Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta
event, various organizations on
Sorority Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
campus were given the chance to
Inc., Harambee House, the National
provide information about their
Society of Black Engineers, African
mission. Many groups were
Students Association, and Queer
represented including The
Alliance.

3. Black Solidarity Conference
Yale University
February 13-16, 2014
Over the years, it has become a
attend this conference. Because of
tradition for Black Student Union
this, we are extremely dedicated
to attend the Black Solidarity
to partaking in this invaluable
Conference at Yale University.
experience in the upcoming year.
This conference has provided our
We are currently in the process of
members with a tremendously
fundraising to attend the
educational and rewarding
conference in February. Black
experience. Each year, BSC
Solidarity Conference is a great
chooses a theme to focus during
opportunity for our Black Student
students’ time at Yale University.
Union to connect with other
In past years, these themes have
student leaders as well as hone
ranged from “Progress is
our skills in a professional
Personal: Erasing Complacency,
environment. Additionally, we
Embracing Our Purpose,” to
look to Black Solidarity
“From Pulpits to the Polls:
Conference as a source of
Ushering In a New Era of
endless opportunity and
Activism,” to “Stigmas and
knowledge. Ideas sparked there
Stereotypes: An Exploration of
are truly timeless as we look to
Black Sexuality.” At each
Black Solidarity Conference as a
conference, an influential black
launching pad to improve future
leader is chosen as a keynote
programs for our Black Student
speaker. At the 17
th
Annual Black
Union. We are extremely
Solidarity Conference, Dr. Angela
dedicated to bringing what we
Davis delivered the keynote
have learned at Yale back to
address. To the left, Dr. Davis is
Brown’s campus. Furthermore,
pictured with a few of our
we would greatly appreciate any
members. Last year, our Black
support you can provide to
Student Union was not able to
revitalize our tradition.

4. Black
Carpet
Series
September/October
2013
Metcalf Auditorium
Black Carpet Series opened its
Think Like A Man was shown as the
The Black Carpet Series will continue
season with the film, Drumline. This second movie of the series. After
to screen films on a bi-weekly
movie follows the story of Devon
polling, this movie was the top
schedule throughout the year in
Miles, a teen from New York City
choice of general body members.
Metcalf Auditorium. Some of the
who has been given a full band
While enjoying the free popcorn and
films we hope to show throughout
scholarship to Atlanta A&T, a
drinks provided, members were
the year include Higher Learning,
fictitious historically black college.
treated to this hilarious film based on
Red Hook Summer, Coming to
This film was preceded by a topic
Steve Harvey’s New York Times
America, Pariah, Crooklyn, Malcolm
discussion presented at the
Bestseller Act Like A Lady, Think Like
X, Skin, The Wood, Hotel Rwanda
previous week’s general body
A Man. Preceding this movie, the
and many others.
meeting. During the meeting,
general body topic discussion
members shared whether they
focused the perspectives of “black
considered attending a historically
love” on Brown’s campus and
black college before matriculating
beyond. Members explored areas of
to Brown. Members discussed the
interracial dating, identifying as
stereotypes that are associated with queer in the black community,
both educational environments and differences between female and
challenged each other’s points
male perspectives as well as other
throughout the discussion.
issues involving this thoughtprovoking topic.

5. Fades & Shades is an annual collaborative event
hosted by Black Student Union, The League of United
Black Women and The Brotherhood intended to
bring students together to enjoy each other’s
company in the presence of food, movies, and
games. In addition, students are given discount
Fades &
Shades
prices for haircuts, manicures, and pedicures right
on campus.
September 28,
2013
Harambee House
Paw Pals is a one-on-one community-based mentoring program where
we match Brown University students with middle school students at the
Urban
Collaborative
Accelerated
Program
….
Paw Pals
Mentoring
Program
Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program (UCAP). UCAP defines itself
as a "second chance" for students who are at serious risk of dropping
out, where all of their students have been held back at least once before
enrolling. At UCAP, the three years of traditional middle school are
condensed into two years in order for students to catch up with their age
group. Paw Pals was created with the intention of providing more
support for students like the ones at UCAP. Through fostering an
encouraging and personal relationship, Paw Pals is a great way for our
members to connect with the Providence community.

6. “Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it.
Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it.
Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thank you for reading and supporting our
Black Student Union!