Vol 3.
spring 22’
Irepodun began in February 1969, as a list of demands from the Black Student Association for the universities administration.
Our Staff Thanks You
The English Building was our headquarters for the spring semester.
Letter from the editor
Thank you for picking up a copy of Irepodun. We hope to continue the legacy of this fifty-year-old project and leave a beautiful snapshot of history as was done with the previous edition in 1972.
Often, while creating this yearbook, I wondered if the students from the past recognized how crucial they would be to our present. Even now, looking forward to the future I wonder if what I am doing here matters. However, I had to recognize the importance of now. We cannot be worried about making history, we cannot concern ourselves with legacy, we must view our authoring of the present as necessitated.
It is so easy to get caught up in the conceptualization of perfection and impact when the most important thing is doing what you can, where you can, and how you can. You can only get better with time and more importantly, the trust you give to others and yourself. While there was difficulty and concern, there is also pride and joy in a piece of work such as this.
I want to thank my staff and my contributers for all their hardwork.
Sincerely,
Bria Thurman
Irepodun Staff
sanya Julian Akin
Faith Lee
Claudia Dankwah
Jasmine Thornhil l
Shaliyah Grisson
Bria Thurman
The orginal staff of Irepodun in 1972
Letter from the Staff At the beginning of this project, we began as six strangers who had a common interest in creating a work that would outlast our time here on UIUC’s campus. We wanted to portray the light and beauty that the Black community here exudes. We hoped to carry on the legacy that began 50 years before us. We believe that this revamp was long overdue.
We wanted to present the most relevant and galvanizing topics to the Black community at UIUC. Our hope was to provide our community with a work they could reflect on and be immensely proud of. There are several aspects of the Black experience here on UIUC’s campus that make it unique and it was a priority of ours to capture and highlight them.
We want you to know that this edition was a labor of love. Oftentimes, we struggled as a six-person team, but we realized the importance and the necessity of this publication. In the end, we’ve realized that every hardship and every setback was worth it. We are forever grateful for the opportunities Irepodun has presented us with. We’ve conversed and made long-lasting connections with our Black family here on campus. We thank you for taking the time to assist us in the process of creating this work.
As you turn every page, know that we poured our hearts into this work. As you read, we hope that it brings smiles to your faces and joy to your hearts. We hope that you see and feel the magnitude of our distinct culture on campus.
Yours truly,
The 2021-22 Staff of Irepodun
The
state of
the university
ABOUT U of I
The original
Irepodun
was produced for the graduating class of
1972. Fifty years later, we find ourselves in precarious circumstances. In the third year of the Covid-19 pandemic, Black students may feel more unwelcome than we have in recent years. From fall 2019 to spring 2022, Black student enrollment has decreased from 8% to a measly 5%. Hate crimes and attacks against Black students have seemingly grown across campus. Nevertheless, what can be expected from a campus that had a fake Native American chief as their mascot for a century, numerous archives showcasing years of traditional minstrelsy, and even a KKK contingent.
In the fall of 2019, a white student hung a noose in an elevator and received a seventy-five dollar fine. The fine is less expensive than forgetting to return a library book; it's $250. The Urbana-Champaign campus now can host said student on campus; because violence against Black people is deemed acceptable to our existence.
We have been given reason after reason to recognize we are not welcome here, from the micro experiences in the classroom to the macro experiences in the broader non-black community that does not want us here. And for those Black folks that do live in the Chambana community, the U of I only makes it more expensive to live here as expansion projects take up the spaces in which they live. This gentrification is making Champaign county one of the more expensive counties to live in Illinois.
Furthermore, we no longer hold the safe spaces that have been fought for by our predecessors, as the University board has decided to destroy the cultural houses.
Hold in your hearts that Black is synonymous with beauty, abundance, and unification. In us, lives a million voices waiting to be heard, hoping to shout and bring our people together in unity. We must come together in accordance with our namesake; Irepodun means unity is a must. If you want things to change, be the voice that initiates and leads the change. Nothing gets done if you do nothing.
Irepodun has interviewed two BSFR Co-leads; Kayla Stewart, alum, and Chloe Graham, rising senior. Kayla sent in her answers and Chloe was interviewed in person. Their interviews have been condensed to fit in with the rest of the content. While a long read, it is an important one. Thank you to Kayla and Chloe for their time and efforts.
Irepodun: How did you meet?
KS: I met Haki -graduate colead- my Freshman year. I think it was through a "UIUC 22" group chat where he dropped a BSFR flyer for their first meeting of the year. My friend and I went, and it was history from there!
CG: At a Black United Front meeting after a noose was hung at my dorm. Myself and some friends attended a meeting where we learned about Black Students for Revolution, and I started attending BSFR meetings regularly, where I met Haki and Kayla.
Irepodun: What drew you to this project?
KS: For me, it was learning about what Project 500 was. I was disappointed to learn the university made all these promises and failed their Black students for decades.
CG: BSFR definitely introduced me to it. But just in general, being on this campus and seeing how few Black students there are and seeing how you can start recognizing Black students in your everyday life. I mean, it's pretty surreal to see there are very low numbers of us on campus. Just knowing that the university made an agreement that they haven't stuck to is disappointing.
Irepodun: What is the history of Project 500?
KS: Project 500 was created after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Black students and the surrounding community demanded that more Black students be accepted into the university and represented on campus. For context, the university had over 30,000 students on campus, but only about 370 were Black. They were such a small minority. After Project 500 was implemented by the university, the university failed on its promises, and students demonstrated against that. Those demonstrations led to over 200 Black students being arrested in 1969.
Irepodun: What made you further into Project 1000 + 500?
KS: Hearing from alumni fostered a lot of inspiration. We don't want the work they did over 50 years ago to go to waste, so we decided to try again.
CG: It started out in the sixties, and the university did well [bringing in students] the first couple of years. The seventies and eighties would see the highest amount of Black students the university has ever had. Then it just literally plummeted. I think that has something to do with people getting comfortable and believing that they don't have to do it anymore. Activism on this campus goes up and down. Like right now, I think it's at a high, but I honestly believe, that once we leave, it might not be.
Irepodun: When was the first time you felt seen on campus, and if you have never felt seen, why do you feel that is?
CG: The first time I felt seen on this campus was talking to my RA Freshmen year. His name was Latrell, and who is also Black. He introduced me to different black organizations on campus, such as Eusa Nia, the Black Student Union at Allen Hall, where I lived during my Freshman year.
KS: Probably in a BSFR meeting or just being with my friends. It's nice to know that people who think like you and look like you are around for support. As for not feeling seen, it's probably been in my classes. That is the only time I am forced to be around people I don't really know or like on this campus. Especially being in classes with non-Black people, it's easy to feel alienated.
Irepodun: This is a lot of hard work. How do you avoid letting stuff like this get to you?
KS: I'm used to disappointment at the hands of the university, so I don't let their response to student issues bother me. I love watching a good movie and making myself feel pretty. I'll do my full skincare routine and maybe play in makeup a little, just to relax. Music is also my best friend in times of burnout.
Irepodun: I can confirm Kayla's musical taste is raw as hell, as you kids say.
CG: I think for so far as a group, I think we in our meetings, we joke around a lot. I mean, if you're when you're a part of an identity that has been marginalized, it's important to laugh at it all. It becomes a part of your identity to just, like, use laughter and comedy as a coping mechanism. As a passionate individual experiencing multiple marginalized identities it becomes a part of my identity; I am desensitized. I just have a plethora of people around me that I love and care for and love and care for me.
Irepodun: What are the five major end goals for the project?
KS: (1) Making the campus safer for Black students, (2) Increasing our population on campus,(3) improving Black student retention, (4) allocating more money for the African American studies department, (5) also allocating money for other programs specific for Black students.
CG: My number (1) would be 15% of the student population being black or African, returning from the African diaspora. That would be good for the university's representation but black students on this campus.
When you see yourself on this campus, it makes you want to do better. (2)The next one would be to have more Black faculty on this campus. I know that black representation isn't always the best because….
Irepodun: Skin folk ain't always kinfolk.
CG: (3) A third one would be to have more programs in the university that help retain Black students. So, places like OMSA, but specifically for Black students. (4) A fourth point is having more support from admissions and the administration for Black students and getting Black students on campus because a vice-chancellor should not be saying it's students' jobs to get [Black] students on campus*. (5) My fifth goal is often looked over, but just getting more support for the Black Champaign-Urbana community. They are integral to the history of Black UIUC.
Irepodun: Could you give words of wisdom to the benefactors of this program?
KS: Don't let this university act like they're doing you a favor. Never think you're asking for too much. They have the money and resources to change the ways of this campus but refuse. Never settle for their lies.
CG: Remember there are tons of resources. You might have to go out [and] look for them yourself. But visit resoucres like BNAACC. Find people who look like you on campus, that is where it starts. Make sure that you're doing the work to stay because we want you to leave with a degree no matter how long.
HISTORY OF IREPODUN Irepodun Black Student Yearbook was first published in the spring of 1972. Prior to its creation, there was a push by Black university students for more representation on campus. In February 1969, the Black Student Association submitted a list of demands to the University’s administration asking for “The immediate establishment of a Black Cultural Center large enough to accommodate all Black people which will be run by the Black Student Association.”
“As a result of their demands, the Afro-American Cultural center opened in the fall of 1969.”
Black Student Association Publications consisted of Drums (1967-1969), The Black Rap (1969-1971), Yombo (1971-1972), and Irepodun yearbook (1972-1973). The publications contained feature articles, editorials, poetry, photographs, and advertisements that highlighted Black student life at the University.
Irepodun was created to serve as an alternative for the University’s yearbook, the Illio. In October of 1971, discussion of the first volume of Irepodun began, but there were doubts that it could be completed due to a lack of funds and a small staff.
The students that were interested in producing Irepodun were advised to join the staff of the Illio in hopes of creating a larger section for Black Students. In the 1970-1971 Illio, there was a 16-page section for Black students and students negotiated that the section be extended to 24 pages. Despite the extension, there were still not enough pages to represent the true lives of Black students attending the University.
Jeffery Roberts, Irepodun's first editor-in-chief, and the Irepodun staff recognized the importance of UNITY and began producing Irepodun regardless of resources. Irepodun was published in the spring of 1972 and 1973.
In order to continue the work the pioneers began back in 1972, we decided to produce the third volume of Irepodun 50 years later to remind Black students on campus that Unity is a Must, and the only way we can thrive is together.
The original cover of the first volume of Irepodun.
Black joy on the UIUC Campus
Black
Black joy is Beautifu
BLack Joy is radical
ul and Bright
Black Joy is the Foundation of Liberation
jOY
Black Joy is an ancestral gift
B l a c k
Organizations
100 Strong The 100 STRONG Program was initiated with the belief that students who engage in activities that support their personal and organizational growth in a culturally relevant way, are more likely to persist and graduate.
Black business network Black Business Network is built and designed to create professional opportunities for minority students on the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign campus.
Black Graduate
Student Organization BGSA has been recognized as the primary student organization addressing the needs of Black graduate students since 1968.
BGSA offers its members leadership
training, professional development, mentoring opportunities, career placement services and a place to meet other students with similar goals.
black students for revolution Black Students for Revolution was formed in 2014 by Black students seeking a home on campus to discuss radical politics, celebrate Black culture, and forge relationships with the Black Urbana-Champaign community.
Central Black Student Union
CBSU’s mission is to promote a sense of unity and support for all Black students. They aim to unite, serve, and assist Black Students.
Creating oppurtunities, recognizing excellence (C.O.r.e)
CORE is a 1-on-1 mentorship org through UIUC Housing dedicated to helping minority students grow academically, professionally & socially.
diverse curls In 2017, two undergraduate naturalists thought of a bold and yet unheard (to their knowledge) idea. A natural hair organization that is community service based. Our goal is to help natural women and men on campus understand their own hair through stylist, "youtubers", and trial and error. However, we want to go a little further with our services and education. We want to help adolescents and teenagers as well through community service in the Champaign-Urbana area.
Fine and applied arts black The ultimate vision for Fine and Applied Arts Black is to have cultivated a space where black artists, and those interested in the progression of black art, can network, collaborate, promote their work, and converse with artists of different artistic interests for the betterment of the UIUC black arts community.
glam squad House of GLAM builds GLAM Squad's on college campuses to provide support to young women who are enrolled as students in a college or university. House of GLAM believes in the empowerment, enhancement, and growth of young women around the world. In order to provide the necessary support, House of GLAM hosts annual productions to raise funding for each GLAM Squad campus.
health of the homeless Health of the Homeless’s mission is to provide mental/physical health and hygiene necessities to those that can not do it themselves.
HYpnotic dance team
Hipnotic dance team was founded in 2003 to provide an outlet for UIUC student performers to be versatile and diverse in dance.
illinois black greek council The Illinois Black Greek Council is the umbrella organization for the University of Illinois' Black Greek Letter Organizations. The council promotes interaction and the exchange of ideas among its member organizations through meetings and cooperatively engages in service events, campus and community programs, and social activities. The Illinois Black Greek Council is celebrating 50 years of being on campus this acedemic year.
In living colour
In Living color is an arts organization at UIUC catered to telling stories through the art of performance & visual arts for Black and P.O.C. students.
Maps
Many minority pre-med students have the potential to be vital members of the medical field but need additional support. This organization seeks to provide that support.
Reachng Across Classes RACs’ mission is to provide the resources and networks available to incoming freshmen for the purpose of promoting a smooth transition into college.
the kat walk The Kat Walk is open to ALL aspiring students who are willing to gain elite modeling skills. Modeling experience/skills are taught, and required for participation as a model in T.K.W. They provide models with opportunities to shine in the modeling industry, while pursuing educational/occupational goals.
national association of black accountants NABA is an organization dedicated to excellence, commitment and service. The organizations goal is to develop students into leaders and professionals in their own respective industries. Although, we are the National Association of Black Accountants, there is no restriction of membership to only African Americans and Accountants. NABA is devoted to serving all students seeking business development regardless of classification, race or major.
the national Association of Black journalist NABJ’s mission is to strengthen ties among Black journalists, promote diversity in newsrooms, and honor excellence in the media industry.
Black Chorus The Black Chorus at the University of Illinois was founded in 1968. Organized by four students, and later under the direction of School of Music faculty with students, officers, the Black Chorus has sustained a high level of excellence in performance, collaborating with writers, jazz and gospel musicians, chamber orchestra, and dancers. Black Chorus is celebrating 50 years this academic year. The Black Chorus is celebrating 37 Years with Dr. Ollie Watts Davis, Conductor
National society of Black Engineers The mission of NSBE is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
Writers Organizing Realisitic Dialect W.O.R.D. was established in 2009 as an organization dedicated to poetry and spoken word.
Wrapsody Dance Company
Wrapsody is an RSO founded at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign that hopes to promote wellness mentally, physically, and emotionally. This is accomplished by allowing each member to find their creative frequency through sensuality, technique, and ego. Women and men of Wrapsody are encouraged to use their bodies as their voices. Every time performers step on the stage they’re expected to have an out-of-body experience and to get in character while giving their all.
Thank you to all of the organizations that sent in material. If you feel your organization should have been featured please do not hesistate to contact us. We want to consider all aspects of Black student life on campus and will make sure to include you in our 2022-2023 yearbook.
Support Black Owned businesses
Des collections We sat down with Destini Simon, a new Wig guru at UIUC. Destini is currently a junior studying accounting.
Irepodun: How did you start your business?
Destini: Hair is something that I’m very interested in because it’s very relaxing to me and I’m good at it. I was at a Health of the Homeless meeting and I was telling the girls I might start doing hair, and their responses were so encouraging. That was my extra push and I followed through with it.
Irepodun: How did you create the name of your business?
D: I came up with multiple suggestions and posted them to my close friends story on Instagram, so everybody chose Des Collections for me.
Irepodun: What services do you provide?
D: My business is set in two portions. I do custom wig services, which is customizing a hairline or creating wigs for people upon their request. I also do lace repair which is where I put the hair back into the lace like how they would in a factory. I also do regular wig installs and closure installs.
Irepodun: How does your business support black culture?
D: Everyone knows that Black girls love their natural hair, but we also love wigs and weave. The wigs are kind of our thing. I make sure that [my business] is inclusive of everybody [regardless of skin tone]. Everyone doesn’t focus on it, but that’s one of the things I plan to focus on.
Irepodun: How has black culture influence your brand/ business?
D: Growing up and going to Kenwood, the girls that were older than me always had their hair, nails, and makeup on point, so I’ve always seen it. [Going to Kenwood] was a huge influence on me and it allowed me to express myself. I love hair and I found it so fascinating. I’ve always loved the different styles you can do and I love the creativity when it comes to hair.
Irepodun: Do you have anything new in the works?
D: I am going to be releasing my own lace tint. I’m also going to be selling bundles.
Irepodun: What motivates you to continue growing your business/clientele?
D: Honestly, my passion for doing hair motivates me to grow my business. I’m just starting out, but a lot of people tell me I’m good to be starting out. I have confidence in myself that I can be ten times better. Also, the support that I get from everybody is motivating.
Irepodun: What is your favorite part about being a black business owner?
D: My favorite part is getting to interact with my people! My motto is “Where beauty meets hair.” I kind of transform [my clients] even though they don’t need it at all. I love getting to add something to them.
Beat By Bailey B We sat down with Bailey berry, one of the most in-demand makeup Artists at UIUC. bailey is currently a Sophmore studying communications.
Irepodun: How did you start your
Irepodun: How does your business
business?
support black culture?
Bailey: I started doing makeup on
B: A lot of my clients do tend to be Black
myself around 7th grade. There
women. I really appreciate how I am able
was no business intent behind it.
to contribute to emphasizing Black
I was in middle school and girls
beauty. I definitely like to make sure it’s
were doing makeup, so it was
inclusive of all skin tones. I like to think
time for me to learn. I just
thatyou can’t really call yourself a
started practicing with a bunch
makeup artist if you can’t work on every
of YouTube videos. When I started
skin tone.
high school, I got really good at my own makeup and a lot of my
Irepodun: How has black culture
friends started asking me to do
influence your brand/business?
their makeup. I didn’t really try to
B: A lot of the makeup artists [I follow]
turn it into a business until my
are Black because I like to support Black
senior year of high school.
businesses. I feel like it’s important to pay attention to the journey of other Black
Irepodun: How did you create the
creators, especially in an industry like
name of your business?
makeup.
B: A lot of businesses go with the alliteration theme. I actually had
Irepodun: Do you have anything new in
another business before I was
the works?
doing makeup seriously. I was
B: I definitely want to add airbrush to my
[making] homemade skincare
services. As of right now, I’m just
products and I called that By
practicing and trying to make sure that
Beauty. My last name is Berry, so
everything that I’m offering now is how I
I kind of like to keep the “B”
want it. From there, I’ll start thinking of
theme going throughout my
more things that I can add.
businesses.
Irepodun: What motivates you to Irepodun: What services do you
continue growing your business/
provide?
clientele?
B: I do pretty much everything
B: The encouragement has been really
[from] natural to soft glam. I’ve
overwhelming in the past couple of
been getting intoa lot of freestyle
months. I think a lot of people have seen
looks lately. I do tooth gems as
improvement in my work and I’ve seen
well.
improvement. Seeing the progress I’ve
Something I haven’t been
advertising much is [my] airbrush
made and [I know] the longer I continue
foundation machine. A lot of
there will be more progress made. Also,
makeup artists out there aren’t
the Katwalk has been a huge support for
doing that which is why I need to
me. They’re always promoting my work
get back to [advertising] that.
through the Katwalk network.
Featured Business: Beat by Bailey
Models: @MicahJermya, @swittmelanin
Photographer: Orema Productions
Orema Productions We sat down with Cidney Jones, a rising photographer at UIUC. Cidney is currently a Frehsman studying Business.
Irepodun: How did you start your business?
Cidney: I started my business at the end of 2020 around December. It was at the peak of boredom in quarantine. I sat down with my mom and I said I want to buy a camera and I want to take the [more] professional route. I didn’t even take it as a business. It was more like a hobby.
Irepodun: How did you create the name of your business?
C: My business is 100 percent dedicated to my father who passed in 2006. He was a professional athlete that played for the Buffalo Bills for a couple of years and then he got injured. [After he got injured], he tapped into his artistic side and he made jewelry and drawing. On the back of all of his jewelry work, he used to carve Orema, which is his name, Amero, spelled backwards. I chose productions because the ultimate goal of this is to be able to have my own production company where I bring in creative people, not just in film or digital art, but also regular artists and hairstylists.
Irepodun: What services do you provide?
C: I’m a portrait and lifestyle photographer. That’s kind of like my niche. I provide birthday, prom, graduation, and social media content shoots.
Irepodun: How does your business support black culture?
C: My business captures Black culture. I definitely like natural light pictures. I have an odd obsession with melanin in [Black people’s] skin which separates us from a lot of different races. If there’s a sunny day and I can go out and take pictures of people, I definitely like to highlight the glow and complexion of their skin. I think that most of my work captures Black culture.
Irepodun: How has black culture influence your brand/business?
C: The greatest influence I have is southern Black culture. There are a lot of Black photographers in Atlanta and Louisiana and the way they capture dayto-day activities [Black people do] have to be some of my biggest influences.
Irepodun: Do you have anything new in the works?
Right now, I’m planning on doing more fashion shoots and having a service for those who design their own clothes.
Irepodun: What motivates you to continue growing your business/clientele?
C: The first motivation I have is my dad. Even though he’s not physically here, I always feel his presence to always push me to try different things. Besides a person, I’m a strong believer in God and I definitely feel like He has been the biggest motivation because when you see things or people, I just think He created that. I just want to capture what He created.
Irepodun:What is your favorite part about being a black business owner?
C: My favorite part about being a Black business owner is that I don’t have to be sophisticated all the time. I feel like when you’re doing business, there’s a level of professionalism that you have, but working with your peers or your own kin, there’s more of a brotherly or sisterly vibe. I’m able to meet so many people, and not only do I meet them, I’m able to hear their stories. We have such a rich and diverse culture and we have such a rich and diverse history. That’s the most exhilarating part about being a Black business owner.
Taryn STYLES We sat down with Taryn Wallace, a ponytail specialist at UIUC. Taryn is currently a senior studying accounting.
Irepodun: How did you start your business?
Taryn: I didn’t know how to do hair freshman year and I went home over winter break and I asked my friends [to try styles]. I got super good over winter break and second semester I came back and kept practicing on people and then I started charging small amounts.I started small. Irepodun: Why did you start your business?
T: For me, it’s hard to give a [reason]. I started doing something and I never saw it getting to the beginning of a business. It was something I started doing to make my own money and it just expanded. It came very organically and I love everything about it.
Irepodun: How did you create the name of your business?
T: I wanted the girls at U of I to see the pictures I was taking [of my work], so I posted on Instagram one day asking for help with a hair name. An old friend of mine [suggested] Taryn Styles, and I was like “oh, that has a nice ring.” So it’s just been Taryn Styles ever since.
Irepodun: What services do you provide?
T: I provide all-natural weave styles, but I don’t get into the wigs. I would say I’m a ponytail specialist. I can slay any ponytail I believe, and I’m big on ponytails looking natural and sleek.
Irepodun: How does your business support black culture?
T: The main thing I love about [my business] is making women look beautiful. It’s a different feeling seeing the confidence and the happiness on women’s faces and getting Black women comfortable with their natural hair. About 50 percent of my clients are like, “I didn’t know my hair could do this,” or “I thought I needed a perm.” I just love making Black women look beautiful.
Irepodun: How has black culture influence your brand/business?
T: It has a consistent influence. There are new styles trending, that I’ve never done, and my clients ask me to try them then I can add new styles. I try to follow the trends that Black women like and try new things.
Irepodun: Do you have anything new in the works?
T: I have a few styles I want to keep practicing and trying on clients. I am currently working on my own slick stick product. Being a student and graduating is certainly taking over, but I’m slowly working on products coming out down the line. Irepdoun: How do you manage school and your business?
T: The best thing about having my own business is that I can make my own decisions and my own schedule. When you figure out what really works for your schedule, you’ll only open your schedule for that time. It’s a lot of work, but you [learn] how to make it work.
Irepodun: What is your favorite part about being a black business owner?
T: Making your own decisions and making your own money [is my favorite part]. Sometimes, especially on this campus, I feel like I’m getting judged for being a Black girl, but little do [they know], I got it going on! I have my own business. It’s just those little things.
Artwork by Jenko
Love Made this Stone Brown Here we are a jazz song
We stand on Blest land
you tree trunk my roots
you keep me on ground
at times, i lose track,
you point out, i am.
it rained much last week.
it rained much last month
it rained much last year.
You’re near to point at
the sun, shines; i bloom
we grow: large and loud.
your leaves dance to us.
me and my flame flow.
our jazz song is grace.
drums beat deep brown blues.
sound seeps through floor boards.
“sorry,” says our jazz softly
bass booms bold and brave.
our jazz song says grace
sound fills up our home.
Nneoma Ohale
ThE
D i v i n e Nine
Memebers of Divine Nine organizations at the University.
We wanted to celebrate the heart of the Black community on campus: Black Greek life. For generations, these fraternities and sororities have upheld the legacy of our ancestors and continue to do so. We had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, the Nu Delta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta, and the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Iota Phi Theta.
Unfortunately, we were not able to highlight the voices of all of the Divine Nine organizations currently on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All interviews in this section have been edited for length and clarity.
a h p l A Phi Alpha
Irepodun: What is your perspective of being in a Black greek organization at a predominately white institution?
DEVIN M.: Being in a Black organization and a PWI means that —I feel like we have to do more to get noticed and get notoriety from everybody else in the community. You see that different fraternities and sororities that are predominantly white they have these huge houses on campus. So [for] the Black organizations on campus, it’s all about just getting a sense of direction of how to bring more notoriety to the Black Greek Council at the university. So for me, it’s just trying to get the message out there and trying to get exposure to the student body that really don’t know about Black organizations on campus.
Irepodun: What is your organizations importance to you?
DEVIN M.: The importance really is just service and scholarship. I feel those are two things that we hold dear to us because if we’re not focused on our scholarship, we’re worried about what we can do in the ChampaignUrbana community. To help out different demographics and backgrounds whether it's Black, latino, or white. We just try to reach out to different demographics in the community because we don’t just serve the student body at the university, we serve the whole community. That’s the main goal and for me I try to emphasize that with chapter brothers.
It’s so many people that come from different ethnic backgrounds and just culture environments that I feel like all those different ideas — I just think that culture is another synonym for swag. So just displaying these different types of swaggers and different types of backgrounds these people come from. I feel like if they do a good job of shedding light on that then we’ll be good.
a h p l A Kappa Alpha
Alpha KAPPA ALPHA Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 15, 1908, by 16 collegiate women on the campus of Howard Uniersity in Washington, D.C.
The Gamma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was chartered on February 12, 1914 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
kap
pa
alpha
psi
Kappa Alpha psi Fraternity, Inc. was founed on January 5, 1911, by 10 collegiate men on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.
The Beta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on Feburary 8, 1913 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
A T L E D SIGMA
THETA
Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913, by 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard Universiry in Washington D.C.
The Alpha Nu chapter of Delata Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered on May 16, 1932 by seven collegiate women at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.
Phi beta
sigma
Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity, Inc. was founded on January 9, 1914, by three collegiate men on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C.
The Epsilon Xi chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was chartered on May 19, 1972 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
ZETA Phi beta
Irepodun: What can UIUC do to make Black organizations feel more noticed?
MARQUICA S.: I feel that UIUC could provide better housing situations for African-American sororities and fraternities. You go on campus and all you see is other sororities who may not be in Black Greek Council,houses and stuff of that nature. I feel as if the university put in lots of money to make their houses look amazing. If [they] put the same money to provide Black fraternities and sororities, it would be a more fair opportunity.
Irepodun: What is your favorite part of being in your organization?
JASMINE D.: Besides the sisterhood aspect, my favorite part about being a Zeta is that it is challenging and not easy to be in this sorority. Although it’s very fun and has very fun moments, there’s a lot of work that goes into it, all the events that we do, [and] the community service we do. A lot of work goes into that, and since I joined, I've been a part of a lot of leadership opportunities within the organization. That has definitely allowed me to grow in a lot of different ways I didn’t see for myself as a freshman and I think that’s really improved my own wellbeing, how I perceive myself, and how others perceive me. It just has allowed me to grow so much and become an even better person than I was before. I would say that’s definitely my favorite part being challenged and being able to exceed the expectations that I didn’t even know I had.
Irepodun: What was your favorite memory with your org this year?
the best version of me. That kind of correlates to our principle of finer womanhood.
PARIS S.: My favorite memory was our new member's presentation because we worked really hard for that and it was very good to see our hard work come to fruition and for the campus to finally see us come out as Zetas.
Irepodun: What personal impression have you made within your org (or a “gas me up moment)?
PARIS S.: Our best moment was winning a lot of awards at the Greek Oscars. It just shows even before my line came to chapter, JALEN Y.: I would say one of this six that we’re in charge of my favorite memories was a the chapter before, they did all woman empowerment event. of that by themselves. It just It was so phenomenal. We had shows we don’t need numbers. amazing speakers there, and it We don’t need all of that to get gave me life in terms of things done on this campus. elevating myself and just wanting better and becoming
a m g i S
gamma rho
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on Novemeber 12, 1922, by seven collegiate women on the campus of Butler University in Indianpolis, Indiana.
The Delta Rho chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was chartered on March 8, 1969 by 13 collegiate women at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign.
IOTA PHI THETA
Irepodun: What is your organizatiion’s importance to you?
ADE A.: My organization is really important to me and more so recently, we just lost one of our brothers. One of the persons that was actually a travel member and active in the chapter on this campus because our chapter was gone for seven or eight years. Bringing it back made a huge difference in the Midwest, as we are a small organization, but we’re looking to grow. So that’s why my organization means a lot to me because now we want to take it to the next level. We don’t want to settle for less. Our motto is building a tradition — to keep on growing, to keep on building, not just to build on campus. We’re trying to build different avenues like different campuses around Illinois state, in Missouri stuff like that. So it means a lot to us because we’re trying to keep that legacy that he passed on to us and keep it movin’. Keep doing what we’re doing and making sure we’re not settling for mediocre and being the best that we can. That's why it means a lot to me.
at. When you have more people, one little mess up can change the entire image of the fraternity. Being that this is a smaller fraternity we’ll stand out more and be our own person. We get to define the Irepodun: What is your fraternity. We get to show the favorite part of being in your image we want Iota to be organization?
viewed as. That’s my favorite part we get to build upon ADE A.: I believe my favorite part is there’s not that much. what we have. We started a There’s not that many of us so legacy of what Iota Phi Theta will be on this campus.
when people look at me or Kyreon they know oh those are the Iotas. We are what Iota Phi Irepodun: What was your Theta stands for. We’re getting favorite service project this year?
our degrees, Ky is getting his degree I’m getting my masters, so this is what they’re looking
KYREON W.: My favorite service project– we went to the Church that’s on— actually a food pantry that’s on Lincoln Ave called the Hope center. They have a food pantry every Thursday and on that Wednesday we went to prepare food in plastic bags. I remember them saying not a lot of Greek organizations know about this place and come out to serve. I was surprised I lived across the street there and always knew about it.
by Chloe Graham
It takes a Village
A proverb that many communities use to express their approach to child-rearing and building a family. Family in the Black community means many things, but the Black family dynamic is something that has remained resilient throughout history. Our family dynamics were created out of trauma, and through generations of trauma, we have built the strong family unit that we know today.
In order to understand why Black family ties are so strong today, we have to discuss the trauma we've endured throughout history. Our history in America begins with our enslavement, and that's where the Black family dynamic starts. During slavery, gender roles weren't put onto enslaved people in the same way they existed in society. While gender still played a role in their treatment, it did not affect what was expected of them. Everyone was still expected to do the same amount of work. Everyone had to pitch in to ensure things got done on time and correctly. If something had gone wrong, they learned to work together to fix the issues before they got out of hand. They learned to rely on one another through this, and they passed this down from generation to generation.
This trait of everyone helping out to work towards a goal is a trait that has been used in Black families since that point in history to move us forward. It brings me back to the initial proverb, "it takes a village to raise a child." Not only do Black families use a village to raise children, but we use them as a resource in any situation. It takes a village to survive in a world where you are disadvantaged because of your skin color. This is why it is also essential for Black people to go beyond blood relatives and have chosen family, another trait that comes from our history in this country. Due to the separation of families during slavery, we didn't always have blood relatives to rely on. Often, strangers would go out of their way to give us support. Our chosen family members are not related to us by blood, but they are indeed family. These are individuals that we build bonds with, who offer us ongoing support, and who we find comfort with when times are tough.
“It takes a village to survive in a world where you are disadvantaged because of your skin color.” Chosen family is why, today, Black children grow up with several "play cousins" with which they form strong bonds. It's why Black family reunions and other functions are festival-sized gatherings. It explains how we remain resilient through all the trauma we've endured. An individual cannot bear the things we have suffered from and survive without a strong support system. That support system is the Black family, the chosen family, the villages we have built to get through our darkest days.
As a group of people, we have lived through and experienced a lot of trauma. This trauma has been passed down from generation to generation in our genes. This is a topic that has had extensive research and is heavily discussed. Not many people discuss or research generational resilience. How is it that we haven't given up entirely with all the trauma Black people have experienced? It's because we have also passed down our coping strategies and resilience skills through generations. We are a resilient group of people. One of the most significant factors in Black resilience is the Black family; It is our village. Having people who understand what you're going through and are willing to help you makes it easier. We are still willing to help one another and work towards a goal today. That's why Black families are important in society. We're a constantly growing village, and that's our biggest superpower.
RSO Ev
vents
Fun on the
Quad
B l a c k
Creatives
Julian’s art
“joyous spring” Julian Akinsanya -2020
Jenko - 2021
Jenko - 2021
Denim by Anieya Cauthen
Ive Been to the Moon by Udochukwu Anidobu
Beautiful by Ti'Andrea Jones.
We Should Have Ended Our Walk Sooner by Anieya Cauthen
"Untitled" by Anieya Cauthen
Primavera by Bria Thurman
Ive Been to the Moon by Udochukwu Anidobu
Confession
I think I love you enough
to sleep in a mattress on the floor
Forgo institution
and create our own.
Carry your baby
before your last name.
Loved eachother too much for ceremony.
What does that really mean anyway?
When we are already family,
When we are already eachother’s Suns,
When we spend our revolutions chasing each other,
What good is peace without you?
Poem by Nneoma Ohale
“no love lost” By Z Brimh artwork by Jenko Told myself I would
leave you before I
let you love me less.
Be it pl atonic, but
not lesser than.
Keep what was
beautiful alive in its
own capsule guarded
by time &
memory fading.
I figure it hurts less to
walk away of your own
fruition than to be told
to leave.
I am used to leaving.
For it is never their fault
I fell.
For it is never my fault
For it is never lost on me
to wave my white flag
when I see red ones.
I am used to breaking my
own heart before anyone
else has the chance to.
For there is power in
hurting yourself out of
love for yourself.
my heart believe in thehe
false prophecies ofy
For there is power in
sparing the people you
minds self conscious. love from hurting you.
For there is power in
accepting the blame for
the uncontrollable with
eyes swallowed in tears.
Congratulations Graduates
atulations Grady
Words from a Grad! Meet Nneoma,
She majored in English and minored in secondary education and creative writing. She is Nigerian and is from Bollingbrook, Illinois.
Nneoma says, “Spend time with yourself. Learn what you need to maintain, what you need to grow. Learn the things people, places, and circumstances that are detrimental to your health. Make note of even the smallest things. Once you know that, provide for youself so you are able to maintain, to grow and be healthy. But you must also know how to move forward when you life is disrupted because it will be. You need to know how to cry and still push on.
Words from a Grad! Meet Z,
they majored in psychology and minored in African American studies. Z is from the westside of Chicago, KTown.
Z says, Be Humble. Be Grateful. Be genuine. Be vigilant and use your discernment. Be an advocate of yourself and others. Be aware of your resources and how to use them to enhance your experience. Be a great community member- uplift and do not tear down.
Meet your Graduate! Meet Kionnah, During her time at UIUC, she majored in psychology and minored in sociology. Kionnah is from Lombard, Illinois. She participated in Track & Field during her undergraduate career and specialized in Hurdles. She participated in the 60m, 100m, 300m, and 400m events.Her career best at the indoor 60m is 8.65 seconds. In the outdoor season, Kionnah's best times are 13.03 seconds for the 100m and 27.42 seconds for the 200m.
Meet your Graduate! Meet Jamal “Bobo,” During his time here at UIUC, he majored in community health. Jamal is from Hueytown, Alabama and participated in football during his undergraduate career. Jamals was a defensive lineman during his time here and had a career average of 42 assists on tackles, 25 total tackles, and 15.5 sacks.
A letter to the
Class of 2025 Photos from featured photographer, Nneoma Ohale.
Dear Class of 2025
,
We made it! No, we didn’t graduate yet, we actually have a long way to go, but we’ve finally finished our first year of college.
It seems like just yesterday we were accepted into U of I. We searched for what residence hall to stay in and who would be the perfect roommate. We got adjusted to dining hall food, learned how to manage our dining dollars, and figured out the balance between our work and social lives.
Maybe the people you met in the first week of school didn’t turn out to be the best fit, but by now, you’ve found the people that fit you perfectly. After late-night study sessions and eating dinner at PAR, you’ve found the people that you connected with.
Now, we’ve settled into our new home away from home.
You quickly realized college wasn’t the utopia you might’ve imagined. You were bombarded with 11:59 deadlines and exams that you stressed and lost sleep over. You might’ve even been stuck in your room on Zoom classes wondering why you paid tuition to sit here.
If this year was rough for you, THAT’S OK! If you didn’t build the community you wanted, THAT’S OK! If you didn’t earn the GPA you wanted, THAT’S OK! You survived your freshman year of college. As long as you finished the year off strong, you deserve a round of applause.
You have three more years to define your passion, build the community you want, earn the grades you want, and reach your highest potential.
Our first year has been a journey, we've grown, explored, made mistakes, and learned from them. We had to transition from childhood to adulthood in the midst of a pandemic. We know it’s been hard finding the groove of things, and we hope you celebrated every win, big or small.
As we close out our first chapter here at UIUC, we hope to make the most of our experience and really make a difference.
There is so much work to be done and progress to be made, so we can’t be afraid to lean on our peers to mobilize and strategize.
We urge you to be more active in your community, be more open to change, and fight for what you believe in. If something is not right on campus, we can’t look to others to fix it; we must fight for it. Alone, we can only accomplish so much, but together we can turn the tide.
Your Freshman Irepodun Staff,
Claudia Dankwah and Faith Lee
Thank you for copy of I
r picking up a Irepodun.
Vol 3.
spring
22’