The Black Students’ Alliance is a club created to create a community of Black students and allies to give back, educate, and raise awareness on a multitude of issues. In an interview with Dr. Anaafi Isaac Sakyi-Addo, Sociology Instructor and head sponsor of the BSA, he provided insight on the year to come for the club and its’ members.
Q: Has the BSA planned any activities for the upcoming year, if so, please explain them. If not, what ideas do you all have?
A: “We just had our first meeting this semester a little over a week ago. Our most important need at the moment is recruitment as all of our members have either moved on to other colleges, joined the labor force full time and as such are not enrolled this semester, or may be taking a break for various other reasons. But we are in the process of discussing various community service activities, Soul Food Fest, Spring Fest, and various activities to promote student success, the details of which are not yet ready.”
Q:What are the BSA’s goals for this year and how do you plan on accomplishing them?
A: “Our main goal this year is to recruit members, elect officers, plan various community service activities, Soul Food Fest, Spring Fest, and various activities to promote student success, the details of which are not yet ready.”
Q: How does the BSA plan to participate in the fights for Black lives, voting, etc.?
A: “We plan inviting speakers from the community to help educate our members about the importance of making their voices heard through a number of media, including voting. Sponsors will also educate members about civil involvement, the importance of their academic work, and financial literacy, among others”.
Q: Describe how the BSA plans to make Black students feel safe and welcomed on campus.
A: “BSA has historically been majority black. Members typically face similar challenges in various aspects of life – work, housing, etc. Hearing each others’ stories is always a powerful learning tool.”
Q: Explain why is it important for a club like the BSA to exist for Black Students?
A: “BSA is a place for students to be educated and empowered for future life. It is also our goal to promote student success in various facets of life.”
Q:What are some activities that have been held in the past and do you plan to host some of the same ones again?
A: “Talk on Breast Cancer Awareness by a member of the healthcare community in Huntsville/Madison; Soul Food Fest; Fall Fest; Spring Fest; talk on the history of Huntsville and the roles played by Blacks and formerly enslaved people; Blanket drive. We plan to host some of these again in the future – details yet to be discussed.”
Q: In what ways has the BSA helped you and how do you hope it helps others?
A: “The BSA has opened my eyes to the history, life, struggles, victories, and culture of Blacks in the US. It has energized me to do my best to help as many students as I can, especially black males, to succeed in life. I hope, through becoming members of BSA, others will also see the importance of learning and understanding a peoples’ culture end life in general so as to be empowered to maximize their strengths to their advantage, and work on strengthening their weaknesses through education and civil involvement, among others.”
Q: days and times do you meet or are planning on meeting?
A:” Our meeting days and times will be determined by the schedules of members to be recruited.”
For more information on the Black Student Alliance and to get involved, click here: https://calhoun.edu/student-activities-clubs/student-clubs-organizations/black-students-alliance/
The Student News Publication of Calhoun Community College