By: Abbey Raynes
Every February, Black History Month turns it head around each year. This year at Western, the 2024 theme is “Back to B.L.A.C.K a Legacy of Art”. As told by Coordinator of the Black Student Coalition and the Black History Planning Committee Chair, Nia Gipson, the theme stands for Building Legacies of Community and Kinship and, [from WWU’s BHM Wesbite] “honors the creativity and beauty that members of the Black Community have contributed to our world. We explore how we can show up as our authentic selves, embody art, and encourage allies to create spaces where Blackness is not only centered but uplifted. Allies, we invite you into community, to learn what it means to be anti-racist and what your role and responsibility is in creating safer spaces for Black communities to thrive. We hope that you take the time to explore, reflect, understand, and celebrate the Black experience in the array of offerings during this month-long celebration.”
To celebrate and spotlight our Black students on campus, I spoke with some of the board members of the Black Student Union. Asking a range of questions that reflect this year’s theme and honing in on the creativity, beauty, and authenticity of the Black community, listen to stories of these individuals.
Resources on WWU’s Black History Month 2024: WWU Black History Month Theme & Event Schedule
Tekhia Jones – President
President of BSU, Tekhia Jones smiling for the camera. Abbey Raynes// Wavelength
“Someone that has helped form my identity would be my Auntie Pam because she has brought me a great deal of knowledge and introspection that I don’t think I would have otherwise if I hadn’t have had her in my life growing up.”
Aryam Tamene – Vice President
Vice President of the BSU, Aryam Tamene, posing for the camera while pursing her lips, wearing some cool shades. Abbey Raynes// Wavelength
“Since today’s a Thursday and we usually have BSU on those days, that’s what really gets me going. It’s the best part of my week, the best part of my day, I just really enjoy putting on these meetings for everyone, and seeing people enjoy doing the activities that we have, interacting with everyone. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
Miranda Wilcox – Outreach & Retention
Outreach and Retention officer of the BSU, Miranda Wilcox, smiling to the camera. Abbey Raynes// Wavelength
“I like to clear my mind by either talking to my roommates about my day or if they’re not available, I’ll go and talk to my RA about it.”
Sesina Negasi – Marketing & Design
Marketing and Design officer of the BSU, Sesina Negasi, smiling for the camera. Abbey Raynes// Wavelength
“I love my eyes. I just think that I see my mom and dad and them, and they’re a really pretty color, so yeah, I’m very happy about that.”
Andrew Long – Data Analyst
Data Analyst officer of the BSU, Andrew Long, smiling for the camera and throwing up a peace sign. Abbey Raynes// Wavelength
“Black culture means to me black creativity, black excellence you know, all the new art, music, ingenuity that comes from black culture. That’s what it means to me.”
Irie Mock – Social Media
Social Media officer of the BSU, Irie Mock, smiling for the camera. Abbey Raynes// Wavelength
“I keep myself grounded by drawing. I have a little art account and I draw black rappers and shoes, and it’s really good to like sit and focus no matter how long it is, just on something and I distress doing that.”