BSU and V.I.B.E.S host block party

At the event, there were multiple student run businesses who were advertising some of their products. Fourth year student Roberto Campus was tabling for his crystal shop while Rafa was displaying his unique clothing brand. You can find both the student run businesses on instagram @lunetauro and @rafa.rare.

The block party featured an aspiring artist and fellow Seawolf, Freddie White. Throughout his freshman year, White began to attend BSU meetings. In an interview with the Sonoma State STAR he said that, “[the club] allowed him to have a safe space as a black student on campus.” Freddie is grateful for the BSU because it gives people of color a way to express themselves. Along with being an SSU student, White enjoys being a musician and creating music. At the block party he performed three of his original songs. The songs he sang were “Across The World”, “One Sided Conversation” and “That Body.” It was his first time performing in front of a live audience. You can Freddies music on all streaming platforms if you look up his username, “Freds World”.

Every student who attended could be seen with a big smile on their face and a trail of laughter that follows. There were dozens of Seawolves who came out to attend and show their support.

On this past Friday V.I.B.E.S and the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a block party to kick off Black history month. Students gathered near the Sauvagine lawn to take part in the celebration. The fragrant smell of the delicious food provided by Everett and Jones BBQ could be smelled across the entire village. There were several friend groups dancing, it truly was a party.

The BSU block party was planned by RA Nyree Johnson. Johnson is currently a third year residential advisor for the V.I.B.E.S learning community located in Sauvagine village. The SSU student spoke to the Sonoma State STAR and explained why she created this event, “The purpose of organizing the block party was to create a space where black students, faculty, and leaders within Rohnert Park can come together… I wanted the community to get to know each other.” Throughout her freshman year, Johnson felt alone because she didn’t know any black students or faculty. She explained how, “These emotions are what fueled my love in creating the block party… I wanted students to gain a feeling of community, mentorship and love.”

At the event, the Sonoma State STAR had the opportunity to speak with Residential Advisor Sunni Urquhart, who attended the celebration as an ally to their students of color. Urquhart was one of the dozens of smiling faces spotted at the block party. The SSU student is an active member in the BSU club.

She has been a part of BSU for the past four years. She recommends that anyone who is interested in getting involved with the BSU should attend a meeting. They meet on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. in the HUB, which is located on the second floor of the student center.The Seawolf explained how, “you don’t have to be brown to get down” and encourages any students to attend, as long as you come with an open mind and heart. The BSU is hosting several events this month for black history month. The next event will be on Wednesday, February 15th The “Black Student Voices Project’ This is put on by the HUB and the SSU Common Read Initiative. They will have 10 black students share their response to the question, “What has been your experience being Black at SSU?” For more information about this event email austindi@sonoma.edu.