New Leadership Elected for CSU Pueblo's Black Student Union Amidst National Challenges

In a meeting held on Tuesday, September 3, the Black Student Union (BSU) at Colorado State University Pueblo elected new leadership for the upcoming academic year. The election, which took place in Room 110 of the General Classroom Building (GCB), saw 14 attendees gather to choose their new executive team.

Emanuel Jeanmarie, born in Haiti and raised in Maryland, ran unopposed for the position of president. Jeanmarie emphasized the importance of stability in his campaign. "We need continuity in terms of getting someone who knows what they are doing and has the knowledge and maturity of doing what the team needs," he stated.

Malichi Hemphill, a business major from Pueblo, secured the position of vice president. Hemphill brings a history of activism to the role, having led efforts at his high school to get school activities planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and expand Black History Month celebration. His experience reminded the group of the ongoing need for BSUs, even at Minority Serving Institutions like CSU Pueblo. Hemphill emphasized how challenging it remains across the country to find safe spaces for Black expression, particularly in Primarily White Institutions (PWIs), highlighting the importance of BSUs in diverse educational settings

The BSU at CSU Pueblo, like many across the nation, faces unique challenges. Outgoing President Shaylan "Shay" Wilson, who is set to graduate this year but will remain for graduate studies, highlighted the organization's goals in an interview with the CSU Pueblo student news site, The Voice. "We help plan different events to celebrate Black History Month and Women's History Month, as our overall goal within BSU is to make sure that all voices are heard, no matter the color of their skin," Wilson said.

The election comes at a critical time for BSUs nationwide. The first BSU was founded in 1966 at San Francisco State University, aiming to unify Black students on campus through cultural, political, social, and informational events. Today, these organizations continue to build leaders and empower them with knowledge to progress the struggle for liberation through organizing.

However, recent political developments have posed new challenges. In Alabama, a state law banning public universities from allocating resources to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs has led to the closure of BSU offices and queer resource centers at the University of Alabama. Similar initiatives from Republican legislatures and university school boards have targeted DEI programs on college campuses across the country.

These nationwide challenges compound the difficulties BSUs face in rebuilding membership post-pandemic. As Wilson noted, the CSU Pueblo BSU, while one of the larger affinity groups on campus, has struggled with membership numbers during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these obstacles, the newly elected BSU leadership at CSU Pueblo is determined to make a difference. Other positions filled during the election included:

• Zaniya Smiling as secretary
• Jarec Henderson as treasurer
• Jasmine Ward as publicist
• Udoetuk “Udo” Christie as Program & Event Coordinator,
• DJ C as Chief of Staff
• Destiny Johnson and Jayda Saunders as Social Media Strategists,

According to CSU Pueblo, African American students make up more than 6% of the university's population. The BSU aims to advocate for and support Black, Brown, and African American students, helping them feel a sense of belonging on campus.