AUgust 2013
A.C.E. Edition
Letter from the EDITORS Hark the Sound Readers! First, welcome to the new additions to the Tar Heel, returning students, parents, friends, faculty and staff. As this year comes to a start I think back to my first days at UNC. Already two years ago it sounds like a cliché but boy does it go by quickly. We, Black Ink and BSM, are here to give you advice and support on your journey down these red brick walkways of this great university. My hope for you is that you join in the spirit of the university and start forming your own heel print. Take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to you and keep academics first. Be sure to check out the Black Student Movement’ president’ DJ Latham’s letter on page five and read up the sub groups and committees. I am excited to serve as your Editor-In-Chief this year and I hope you will be along for the ride! If you would like to be a part of our magazine staff or have any questions at all e-mail us at uncblackink@gmail.com. Be on the lookout for more Black Ink issues throughout the year and follow us on twitter @uncblackink and like us on Facebook. Chantrel D. Reynolds Editor-In-Chief
Editor Stats Major Concentration minor Class What I Did this Summer
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Journalism & Mass communications Graphic Design Education for underserved populations Junior Started with Project Uplift and Ended the summer with 8 weeks in Austin, Texas working as a Design intern with IBM. OH and I saw King Beyonce giselle Knowles Carter!
Welcome Tar Heels! My name is Dillon Robinson and as the Managing Editor of Black Ink Magazine, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is the beginning of the best four years of your life. When I began my undergraduate career two years ago, I couldn’t have predicted that I’d be here today. Being at Carolina these past two years has taught me that anything is possible when you take a chance. This A.C.E. Issue of Black Ink Magazine is designed to introduce you to the abundant opportunities this school has to offer. Throughout the school year, Black Ink Magazine will be keeping you connected to the Black Student Movement and the many resources you’ll need to be successful. We will be presenting material that will spark new discussions while continuing ongoing conversations. During your time here at Carolina, I challenge you to be willing to try new things, use your resources wisely, and never be afraid to reach out. Your network is your net worth. Again, welcome to UNC and good luck in your first year! Dillon O. Robinson Managing Editor
Editor Stats Major Concentration Class What I Did this Summer
Communications Media Studies Junior I used the summer as an opportunity to enrich my skills set in both journalism adn Communications by taking classes in both fields of study.
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BSM History
BSM in Upendo in the 1970s with president Warren J. Carson ‘74
Preamble
Our legacy, our purpose
“We, the members of the Black Student movement embrace a culture distinct from the dominant culture found at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In view of this fact, it is the goal of this organization to strive for the continued existence of the unity among all its members, to voice the concerns and the grievances of its members to the University, to offer outliers for expressing Black ideals and culture, and finally, to ensure that the Black Student Movement members never lose contact with the Black community.�
The Black Student Movement was established on November 7th, 1967 as a result of the slow growth of the Black population on campus and because of Black student dissatisfaction with the campus NAACP chapter. Preston Dobbins, left, served as the first president. It was from this beginning that the Black Student Movement began to take its position as being the leading voice for Black Students on campus at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The ensuing year became yet another momentous one for Black students on the campus because it was within this time frame that the Dixon Resolution and the Phipps Committee were established. The Dixon Resolution, written by Professor John Dixon on May 3, 1968, requested that the Chancellor appoint a five person committee to generate recommendations for the
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faculty to help improve the academic climate among Black students. It was the Phillips Committee, lead by Professor Dickson Phillips, that recommended an eight step plan to improve the intellectual climate and remove educational disabilities on the basis of the race of Black students on campus and those to come. On December 11, 1968, the Black Student Movement presented a list of 22 demands to Chancellor Sitterson for improvements that they wished to see implemented. It was because of this list that many of the programs and curricula in place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill were established. On November 14, 1998 to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Black Student Movement, students rallied in support of the Housekeeper and Groundskeeper Struggle, and presented Chancellor Michael Hooker with a list of 22 new demands.
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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t seems like yesterday we were in The Pit celebrating the conclusion to yet another long, but short, year; creating experiences, making moments, and sharing space with people we will always remember. Now that a new year is upon us, all those experiences, moments, and spaces become anew, while Carolina provides a nucleus for learning and giving back to our community. The Black Student Movement is definitely no exception to this, as our executive board and central committee have worked diligently over the summer to ensure innovative events and activities that make for another promising year. Since it’s founding on November 7, 1967, the Black Student Movement has served both as an advocacy group and hub for expressing Black ideals and culture. Our mission states that we will continue to “embrace a cultural distinct from the dominant culture at UNC.” Moreover, this organization has made sure that its members and the African American community are continuously aware of the resources and connections that are available, while on the same token, constantly serving as a primary contact and resource for the opinion and culture of African Americans here at Carolina. Over the last few years the Black Student Movement has collaborated with organizations such as Dance Marathon, Student Government, Campus Y, Carolina Hispanic Association (ChiSpA), Campus Recreation, Carolina Union Activities Board (CUAB) and many others to ensure that our members are aware of the opportunities this diverse campus has to offer. Students have grown not only through leadership roles within this organization but by simply sharing in its goal and purpose; that in itself is enough to make any passionate student stay involved through May of their graduating year. Words cannot express how proud I am of this organization and its continuous growth and ability to produce outstanding students, leaders, and role models. To the Class of 2017, welcome to Carolina and the Black Student Movement. Darius J. Latham (DJ) 2013-2014 BSM President
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Black Student Movement
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ooking for something to join your freshman year? The Black Student Movement is an organization comprised of several committees and subgroups dedicated to representing students from diverse backgrounds. BSM is one of the largest student organizations on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is open to membership throughout the year. Listed below is a list of all of the committees and subgroups of BSM and a brief description of each.
Alternative Spring Break Trip
EmBrACE
The ASB Trip for the Sunflower County Freedom Project is a special project whose mission is to foster self-confidence and self-understanding in K-12 youth living in rural America. The week-long trip involves critical discussions regarding current social issues and physical and emotional health awareness. The project has successfully conducted two consecutive “Self and Health” camps for students living in the Sunflower Freedom Project Center.
Emphasizing Brotherhood Across Campus Effectively works to improve and strengthen the image of black males on the campus of UNC and throughout the surrounding community. By creating an outlet for EmBrACE, members express issues that are pertinent to themselves, while networking with others. The committee plans diversity and informative programs to spur awareness of issues relevant to Black Collegiate men. These programs include: discussion forums, academic and real-life workshops, and other social activities throughout the school year such as the celebration of Men’s Week.
Black History Month Committee The Black History Month Committee is responsible for planning events and activities during Black History Month in order to connect the BSM to the campus community during the month of February.
Black Ink Magazine As BSM’s premier magazine, Black Ink is responsible for publications addressing concerns, as well as celebrating the triumphs of the black community. The magazine’s articles feature everything from campus discussions and debates to arts and entertainment .
Celebration of Black Womanhood CBW is formed to honor the strength, diversity and essence of black women through an appreciation and celebration of their heritage and culture. This is accomplished through participation in programs dealing with common aspects of womanhood such as self-esteem, healing the inner soul and climbing the corporate ladder.
Cultural Diversity Cultural Diversity is an educational and networking committee within the Black Student Movement which functions in response to the challenges identified at UNC. Their events and special projects include: Culture on the Lawn and Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
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First Year Class Council First Year Class Council is a committee exclusively targeted to First-Year Students. Monitored by the BSM Vice President, the council elects student chairs and allows freshman to get involved with BSM early and often. Through community service events and other annual plans such as a UNC Talent Show, FCC orients the students to the campus, student life and the BSM.
The Membership and Elections Committee The Membership and Elections Committee organizes and plans membership drives for BSM. This committee maintains the roster and assures renewal of the members annually and serves as overseer of annual nominations and elections of officers. This committee also is responsible for amending the bylaws of the BSM Constitution. We encourage those with skills in designing membership surveys to join our committee.
Triple Alliance Committee Triple Alliance Committee serves in fund-raising and community outreach efforts of BSM. Triple Alliance Committee maintains proper records which include attendance rosters, interest and idea lists and hourly logs for community service records.
Movement of Youth, Inc
Special Projects and Parent Alumni Relations
Movement of Youth, Inc. is a comprehensive educational and mentoring program built to expand educational opportunities for diverse high school students in the Durham Public Schools System. Our team is working diligently to provide more workshops and activities in hopes of producing better and brighter young leaders. MOY has mentors from UNC, Duke and North Carolina Central. The college students are paired with at least one high school mentee and participate in numerous programs throughout the school year. Visit www. movementofyouth.org for more info.
Special Projects and Parent Alumni Relations plan and organize special activities and functions for the BSM, such as the Coronation of Mr. & Miss BSM, the Underclassmen Court, the BSM Ball and the Umoja Awards Celebration. In addition, the committee serves in collaboration with Black Parents Association and Black Alumni Reunion Committee to coordinate luncheons, functions and other informative programs.
The Political Action Committee The Political Action Committee serves the BSM by conducting investigations of incidents affecting minority students particularly at UNC. PAC promotes awareness of the political climate by organizing voter education and registration events throughout the duration of local and national elections.
Ebony Readers / Onyx Theatre Ebony Readers / Onyx Theatre, informally EROT, is a performance group of the Black Student Movement that specializes in poetry, spoken word and theatrical drama. Annually, the group holds three major productions; two theatrical and one spoken word. EROT also performs at a wide range of campus events and organizations including (but not limited to): PreOrientation, The Triangle Dance Festival for AIDS, Dance Marathon, and the Durham County Youth Home
Harmonyx Publicity The Publicity Chair for the Black Student Movement is considered to be the resource of disbursing information to the general population of UNC. He or she provides the necessary avenues needed to make events by the BSM public, in addition to supporting all Central Committees and Sub Groups of the BSM and assisting them in any way possible.
Harmonyx was established by Raegan McDonald in 1995. The group represents historical and contemporary vocal in Rhythm & Blues (R&B), Soul, Hip Hop and Gospel genre’s in the A Capella community on campus. The group holds auditions at the beginning of each semester, and performs at several engagements in addition to their semester performance toward the conclusion of each semester.
Service and Education
The UNC Gospel Choir
The Service & Education Committee is set to evaluate its educational, planning and outreach needs relative to the statutory mandates, mission, and strategic plans of the BSM. The committee works to develop and submit reports, draft policies and recommendations regarding those needs to the full Executive Board for its consideration.
The UNC Gospel Choir meets weekly for rehearsals. and travels to various cities within surrounding communities in order to present, promote and praise the Kingdom of God through singing a diverse repertoire of songs. Members of the choir representing diverse backgrounds and distinctive cultures that unite together to fulfill one purpose, which is to display God’s love on campus and to transmit an encouraging word to community members.
Opeyo! Dance Company Opeyo! Dance Company is modern dance company open to males and females. Opeyo! is Swahili for “beyond the horizon” and provides an outlet for artistic expression and community outreach. The company performs at numerous events on and off campus throughout the year and host an annual spring show during second semester.
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EXECUTIVE BOARD Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Associate Editors Public Relations director Copy Editors
Chantrel Reynolds Dillon Robinson MBalla Mendoug a & Kiana Glover Nikki wilkinson Tyler Rouse & Trey mangum
WRITERS Photographers
YOU YOU
Interested in joining Black Ink? Contact US at uncblackink@gmail.com for more information
Our mission “If Blackness can be transformed into pictures and words, we intend to do so, by any means necessary.� The Black Ink is a recognized publication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This issue was paid for, in part, by student activity fees. If you have questions or concerns about the Black Ink please email uncblackink@gmail.com