Best Student Organization winner

Best Student Organization

Black Student Union

By Jeana’e Jackson | Photos courtesy of the Black Student Union

The Black Student Union at the University of Houston is a multifaceted organization that fosters social and educational support for the African American community.

BSU’s resources to its members are instrumental and encourage black students to succeed at UH and beyond. An admirable accolade that deserves recognition, BSU was voted Best Student Organization for Coogs Choose 2021.

“To know that students choose us as the best student organization on campus is really an honor,” said Vice President Alex Davis Thomas.

“We remained resilient and came back stronger than ever through racial injustice and a pandemic that set us back. Our members mean the most to us, and we make it a point to put them first in everything we do. Without them, there would be no Black Student Union. Our mission is to leave an impact wherever we can, so we are so very thankful for this recognition.”

History

The origination of the Black Student Union dates back to the late 60s and early 70s and has been led by Lynn Eusan, Gene Locke and other civil rights activists. Originally named Afro-Americans for Black Liberation, the creation of AABL was to help unite black students around the rise of the Civil Rights Movement.

President of BSU, Brian Kirksey, said some of the organization’s founding initiatives that helped set the bar for the future of BSU include creating a scholarship to raise funds for black students and tutoring youth in the Third Ward Community.

“One of the most significant accomplishments that impact the history of UH, is the list of demands presented to UH President Phillip Hoffman in February of 1969,” Kirksey said.

With the driving force of the Civil Rights Movement, the focus of AABL was to inform students about the importance of black liberation and equality for black students at UH.

“Through activism, BSU has a rich history that our executive board hopes to leave behind,” Kirksey said. “While we have grown in size and taken on a new image since the 1970s, our purpose remains unchanged. To be the organization that provides advocacy and a safe place for black students at UH.”

Resources

BSU participates in community activities like volunteering at the Houston Food Bank and The Nehemiah Center’s Fall Festival.

The Black Student Union also provides educational resources for members within their organization. Workshops such as “sex education” and “black professional development” are some previous events that BSU has held for its members.

“We are the liaison to all Black Caucus organizations, UH departments, and administrators,” said secretary Alexandra Lee. “We strive to provide resources to our members and students at UH. Whether our members need our help to acquire an internship or to find a place to study, to know that we have the opportunity to walk alongside students through college and to provide them with resources to succeed is a rewarding feeling.”

The Black Student Union is an excellent resource for black students on campus. For more information on how to get involved with BSU, follow them on Instagram @bsu_uh or look them up on AccessUH’s Get Involved portal.