February is Black History Month, but did you know there is a club on campus that celebrates Black history and culture every day?
Black Student Union (BSU) started in Fall 2022 with a mission to promote an inclusive environment on campus with an emphasis on Black culture. While it serves as a community for Black students, it is open to everyone.
BSU President Kayla Macklin first got involved with the organization after meeting Executive Director of Community Relations, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne/Warsaw, Tracy Davis. She says she got more involved in event planning and eventually stepped up to take her current role.
To learn more about the organization, we sat down with Tracy and Kayla.
What is Black Student Union?
Tracy: “It promotes the success of Ivy Tech students, with a focus on Black culture.”
Kayla: “BSU was formed so Black students could find a community on campus. Even though we have a focus on Black culture, it’s open to anyone who wants to learn more.”
What are some things you do as an organization?
Tracy: “We do a lot of things from field trips to events. Our bi-weekly meetings are aimed to network with various campus departments, teaching members how to become more engaged and how to advocate on their behalf and that of fellow students to ensure their success.
Kayla: “We’ve had pool parties and movie nights and game nights. We’ve gone on a field trip to Detroit and hung out at Combat Ops. We also have volunteered with the Fort Wayne Urban League.”
Why should students join?
Tracy: “I encourage students to join because it’s fun, and it’s an opportunity for students to connect with their peers and the community. We’re spreading a message that inclusion is important, and we welcome everyone.”
BSU meets every other Monday from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Life Building. The next meeting is Mar. 4. You can find out more by visiting the Black Student Union’s page on IvyLife.
Want to get involved? Email Tracy at tdavis457@ivytech.edu.
Ivy Tech Fort Wayne and Warsaw is celebrating Black History Month with several events still to come:
- Ivy Tech Warsaw: On Wednesday, Feb. 21, Dr. Marvin Curtis will be presenting his Lift Every Voice at Miller Hall from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Dr. Curtis is the Dean Emeritus of the Ernestine M. Ranclin School of the Arts at Indiana University South Bend and is the first African American composer commissioned to write a choral work for a Presidential Inauguration.
- Ivy Tech Fort Wayne: The Office of Student Life and BSU will be hosting a movie night featuring The Color Purple (2023) on Wednesday, Feb. 21 starting at 5 p.m. in the Student Life Center, Room 121.
- Ivy Tech Fort Wayne: The Office of Student Life and BSU are joining forces once again for a field trip to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Columbus, OH. That’s happening on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The bus leaves the Student Life Center at 9 a.m.
I encourage students to join because it’s fun, and it’s an opportunity for students to connect with their peers and the community. We’re spreading a message that inclusion is important, and we welcome everyone.
– Tracy Davis | Executive Director of Community Relations, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne/Warsaw
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
