Black United Independent Collegiate (BUIC) breaking barriers at Drury

by Unite Staff Writer

Springfield, MO— Serenity Sosa a junior at Drury University majoring in Criminology, with a minor in Political Science serves as the president of The Black United Independent Collegiate (BUIC). According to Sosa, the organization was created around 1973 by students seeking civil rights.

Sosa, plans to work in the field of Higher Education working as a Diversity Equity & Inclusion director.

Our mission is to:

• Promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation, and unity among our fellow students of color

• Provide a safe space for support and encouragement for students of color

• Maintain a clear commitment to promoting academic excellence, individual success and achievement among students of color

• Raise awareness of issues involving students of color and actively work to dismantle racial barriers while expanding our understanding of intersectionality

• Empower students of color to confidently establish themselves within Drury University’s campus environment and beyond

Meetings are held weekly at 6:30 PM on Thursdays in the Diversity Lounge in the Findley Student Center.

“We want to show students that there is a safe space for them here at Drury and that they are valued,” said Sosa. Our biggest project to date was getting Ethnic Haircare Products in the Bookstore. After talking to the diverse student on campus, “That was kind of our brain child in thinking of ways to increase retention of student of African America decent on campus and a nice addition to the bookstore.

Whether its through having a little Auntie Jackies Cream Conditioner for your hair or having our new Diversity Lounge that we are working on, these are great steps DE&I at Drury that line up with our new mission statement that came out last year.

“I will be giving a Diversity Training presentation to the residential staff, peer like me. Our housing director, and residential directors will also be there. I am hoping that my presentation will help build cultural competency into Drury’s culture. I feel that we can bridge some misunderstandings and cross cultural barriers that I feel a lot of students have a hard time breaking through.

The BUIC motto is breaking barriers. And that’s what we try to do, break those barriers, like lack of opportunity, inadequate assess to the same opportunities that other Drury students get.”

Future events sponsored by BUIC include a Fashion Show. The Fashion Show will be their third annual show and their largest event of the year. The theme is “Element,” Through elements, we will be highlighting police brutality, and racial discrimination as well as showcasing cultural expression like music, art and food.

“While we have an original cause and mission, we like to also have fun, “ said Sosa.

Rosalyn Thomas, Associate

Dean of Diversity & Inclusion at Drury University and serves as Campus Advisor to BUIC sayes, “BUIC has proven to be a vital source on campus that offers support to students. Using the acronym, BUIC, which stands for Black United Independent Collegiate, it is present for all students. BUIC was revived in 2018 and has been noted as Organization of the year in 2022. The activities that the organization has chosen to bring to campus have been exciting, thought provoking and entertaining. I see the organization attaining more and more each year as students step up to lead.” and opportunities available in the Springfield/Greene County area. Distribution of Unite. is by free circulation at various locations. However, request for home delivery by mail may be directed to Unite. P. O. Box 1745, Springfield, Missouri 65801 and accompanied by $25. for one year’s postage and handling.

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by Unite

Springfield, MO— World War I was a major global conflict that lasted from 1914 to 1918 and involved many of the world’s great powers. The United States entered the war in 1917, and over four million Americans served in the military during the conflict. While World War I is often remembered for the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in it, it is also important to recognize the injustices and challenges faced by many soldiers, particularly Black soldiers, who were fighting for a country that did not always value or protect their rights. In this context, the story of Myrl Billings, a Black World War I veteran who received the highest Medal of Honor from the French and helped establish a Black American Legion post in Springfield, Missouri, is a testament to the strength and resilience of those who fought for their country in the face of adversity.

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“Let’s build a stronger community together.”

As these young men were shipped off to foreign lands to wage war, some, like Myrl Billings from Springfield, were not content to be relegated to support roles and actively sought to join a unit that would be on the front line. However, Billings was not allowed to serve with the American troops because of segregation. Although he was an American soldier, he was given over to fight with our French ally in the war. He found his place with a New York

National Guard unit that would become famous as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” In WWI, the men of the 369th Infantry Regiment, trained by the French, spent 191 days in the front-line trenches. During this time, part of the unit was pinned down by a German machine gun nest. Pvt. Billings and three others volunteered to take out the machine gun. They succeeded in killing three Germans and capturing four others while losing one man.

- Samuel Knox Managing Editor

Billings, one of the most decorated soldiers ever to serve from Greene County, Missouri, was awarded two French “Croix de Guerre” Medals, France’s highest honor, an honor equivalent to the United States Medal of Honor. No one else on record has received two Medals of Honor in the US. However, he suffered lung damage caused by German gas attacks, which came at great personal cost. When he returned home to Springfield, he learned of a new organization of veterans of the Great War called The American Legion. His health failing, Billings worked to become a member of the Legion. Two local posts were organized, but neither would allow Blacks to join their ranks. Not to be deterred, Billings and fellow Black World War I veterans worked to establish their own post. American Legion Post 125, the Norval Stafford post, was organized in 1919 and officially chartered in 1928. In keeping with the tradition of other Springfield posts, they named it after Norval Stafford, the

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