I was standing in the Breezeway on a windy, fall day when a Black student walked up to me clutching a Shield print edition. With tears in her eyes, she said, “I’ve never seen a Black person on the cover of The Shield before. Thank you.” Her comment and emotion shook me and touched me to my core.
I walked into my office in University Center East and picked up a copy of the October 2021 print edition. It was both my first print with The Shield and my first print as Editor-in-Chief.
The cover was a collage of photos, and one of the photos was a group of Black students. I thought to myself, “We will publish a print edition celebrating the Black community of USI before I leave as Editor-in-Chief.”
Being intentional about inclusion has always been a core value of mine, so I assumed the act of providing equal opportunities for all students was the way things have always been done.
Over the last two years as Editor-in-Chief, my staff and I have made purposeful efforts to make The Shield representative of all student and campus community voices.
We dedicated the middle spread of The Shield’s February 2022 print edition, “Making History,” to Black history by honoring President Ronald Rochon as USI’s first Black president, but in May 2022, we decided to dedicate the entire February 2023 print edition to the Black community of USI.
February is National Black History Month. We believe this is the first print edition The Shield has ever entirely dedicated to USI’s Black community.
To make this print edition, we worked closely with the Multicultural Center, including the Black Student Union board reviewing this entire print edition prior to publishing. I had the opportunity to share meaningful conversations with Pamela Hopson, executive director of the Multicultural Center.
Hopson first began working for USI in 1979 as a clerical position for the Student Financial Aid Office. She watched USI become gradually more diverse as the university began expanding its recruitment efforts outside of the Southern tip of Indiana.
Hopson said as the campus became more diverse, “it was evident that someone recognized the need to have a center.”
“You have young, innocent minds trying to learn, trying to get ahead, and not everyone was not receptive to them as a student,” Hopson said. “They needed champions.”
Hopson had the opportunity to serve as chair of a task force investigating this issue and was asked to be the first executive director of the Multicultural Center in 1994.
The USI Multicultural Center started with a staff of one: Pamela Hopson.
“When I moved into the position, I had one piece of paper on my desk that had a mission statement,” Hopson said. The center was originally one office, Hopson’s office. It had no budget, no plan, no guidelines – it was just Hopson.
“New people to campus sometimes assume that it always existed, but it didn’t always exist,” Hopson said. “It took someone behind the scenes who recognized some of those gaps and was able to go out and lobby and fight and negotiate and collaborate.”
Over the last 29 years, the Multicultural Center has moved locations five times and has developed into a resource for students of color. The Multicultural Center Library hosts a diverse collection of over 800 books and journals about and from people of color that Hopson collected herself to fill a gap in materials in the David L. Rice Library.
The center sponsors student organizations such as the Black Student Union, the Hispanic Student Union, the South Asian Student Union and the Asian Student Union. It hosts annual events such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon as well as campus events throughout the year.
She said the center helps students of color feel comfortable being their authentic selves on campus, as students of color sometimes encounter unnecessary roadblocks.
“It isn’t as though they don’t have a voice because everyone has a voice, but sometimes, people may not have a platform,” Hopson said. “It takes those who are in power to create a platform so that members of this community feel as though they belong here, and they can feel comfortable expressing themselves.”
The Shield’s purpose is to be a platform for the voices of the USI community. “Celebrating Black Voices” is an intentional platform for the Black USI community to express themselves authentically.
I dedicate my letter to Pamela Hopson, the USI champion of diverse students. It is my hope “Celebrating Black Voices” is a step in the right direction of filling the gap in past Shield reporting on the Black community of USI.
“I love being African American, my skin is beautiful, and our people fought hard to give us the life we have today.”
Models: Bianca Anderson, freshman business administration major, Paris Downing, sophomore public relations and advertising major, Kenecia Hawley, senior food and nutrition major, Da’Jour Howard, junior psychology major, Sanaa Jackson, sophomore elementary and early childhood education major, Arionne Kelley, freshman marketing major, Joey Martin, freshman marketing major, Brandi Neal, director of Pathways to College, JaShuan Newman, sophomore business administration major, Kai-Lynn O’Bannon, senior health services major, and Lauren O’Neal, junior early childhood education major,
“I stand by everything about being Black. Just being able to tell people and teach them about my culture and stuff and what it feels like to be a Black person, especially on campus where it’s not dominant.”
- Paris Downing
- Sanaa Jackson
“I try to do things that can better myself and improve the community in a way because I want to give back to my ancestors and be the person they wanted to be but weren’t able to be.”
- Lauren O’NeillThe Shield hosted a photo shoot Feb. 3. featuring Black models for the print issue “Celebrating Black Voices.” Photos by EMALEE JONES and CRYSTAL KILLIAN
tranquility and a place to go for reflection while sitting in the gazebo.
The main attraction is the University Center. You have the east and the west with the Cone in the center. In these two buildings, you find the heart of the campus. This is the place where students come together to eat, hang out and study.
It is also where I first came to the realization that so much of the physical part of campus had changed over the years, but there was an obvious part of campus life that had not changed as much as I had anticipated.
That change was the racial makeup of the student body.
As I made my way across campus day after day, it pained me to not see more African Americans on campus. Where was the progress that should have been readily noticed when I walked across campus? It felt as if I were invading territory that was not meant for me or anyone who looked like me.
Being an African American woman on a campus dominated by white people could have been a nightmare. I was asked more than once why I chose to go to such a homogenous school.
part of it.
I remember walking across campus wearing masks and still smiling and speaking to everyone I encountered. Once the masks came off, there was no stopping me. I joined organizations, went to events and made USI my home.
I tend to speak up and explain to people that diversity does not mean a place is inclusive. So, while USI has made great strides in diversity, being inclusive is still elusive at this point.
There is more diversity on campus this year than in years past, but that is not saying much because as an African American woman, equity and inclusion are hard to find consistently here.
The university must put more effort into the latter of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. There is room here for us all. If we truly made everyone feel that they belonged on this campus, it would stand out as a top university in this state. The ingredients are there, but a conscious effort needs to be made to include them in organizations and events across the board.
BY ALICE BURNSDriving onto the University of Southern Indiana’s beautiful campus in the Fall of 2020 was a long-awaited dream come true. Many years prior, I had attended USI, and to say it had changed, is an understatement.
The campus is the most beautiful that I have ever been on. It is lined with flowering trees and lush green grass surrounded by beautiful, fragrant flowers of every color imaginable. The lake with the gorgeous, modern Griffin Center on the other side is a place that provides
I can honestly say that, despite the low African American population, I have never doubted my decision to return to USI.
Being a woman of color has advantages that allow me to thrive even under conditions that many would find hard to. I am not a visitor to the campus; I am an integral
Once African Americans are included in the organizations and events, they need to feel welcomed and given ownership in it. No one wants to be a part of something that never acknowledges them or their contributions. That is something that will take conscious effort to start and sustain. As Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”
BY ALYSON COLLINS and EMALEE JONES
“Honestly, being Black has made me more serious as a person and aware of my surroundings. It has also made me think about my future constantly.”
“I’ve had to overcome some challenges, and there have been times where I felt like I had to prove that I belonged all because the color of my skin was different.”
“I don’t view myself as minority. I grew up in a majority Black population, Haiti and Mulato as minorities in English terms.”
“I used to have an identify crisis due to the color of my skin whether if I was criticizing, ‘Am I Black enough?’ because I don’t look like the rest of my peers, but knowing that I am 100% Black, I flourish through it.”
“It would be nice to see more diversity on campus, but I know that if I’m the only person in class that looks like me, I take that as my time to shine.”
“I feel like I am often stereotyped as unintelligent or intimidating until people get to know me, and I am proud of my Blackness even when others look down on me for it.”
BY TEGAN RUHL Assistant Lifestyle Editor
Several of USI’s Board of Trustees members have served for many years, succeeding in many leadership qualities. In particular, Harold Calloway has had a lasting influence on the university’s history.
Born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, Calloway lived on a farm.
“If you worked hard during the spring and summer, you would expect the harvest,” Calloway said. “That’s kind of my philosophy. Work hard, and you would get whatever opportunities come your way.”
After high school, he went to study at Mary Holmes College on a basketball scholarship during the height of the civil rights movement. On June 21, 1964, three civil rights workers were killed by the Klu Klux Klan.
“We thought it was time for a change,” Calloway said. “We marched in the civil rights movement, got arrested because we were marching. We’re all marching for the rights of individuals in the little town where I was going to school. But growing up in a segregated environment, you learn to deal with all kinds of people.”
Before working at USI, Calloway served in Vietnam, got his master’s degree and worked as a caseworker and in welfare. He began his career as the director of financial aid at USI in 1973, making Calloway the first Black administator in the university’s history.
“When I came to work there, I could tell everybody embraced me,” Calloway said. “I grew up in the South on a farm. I know that hard work and persistence pays off. So that’s what I did and was able to do the job, and I think I did the job well. I never had one problem with any student.”
Calloway worked at USI until 1985 when he accepted a business job at State Farm Insurance. He worked there for 34 years until he retired in 2019.
In a 2020 interview, Calloway said, “There was some concern an African American couldn’t sell to white people.”
Although he said he was afraid he made a mistake switching careers, he was surprised by the positive reaction he received from the majority of his clients.
“Fear is false evidence appearing to be real,” Calloway said. “There were classes of people that did not give me an appointment because of who I am, but there were a whole lot more that did, and I was pleasantly surprised.”
Calloway said people want the same things, regardless of their race.
“They want safety. They want opportunities to participate, and they want opportunities for their children. Those are not just Black dreams, those are everybody’s dreams,” he said.
Calloway said he always had a desire to come back and serve at USI.
“When I left USI, I asked the Lord, ‘One of these days, I would like to
come back and be on the Board of Trustees,’” Calloway said.
Calloway was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2006.
“It’s been an absolute joy,” Calloway said. “We’ve made some astounding accomplishments.”
Since his appointment, Calloway has watched USI improve as an academic institution, in the quality of students produced, in community relations and in Division I sports since the transition.
Calloway said he hopes to see all students on campus thrive but noted the important influence he has on
Black students specifically.
“Black people, they like seeing people like them in positions of responsibility,” Calloway said.
“My communication to them has always been, ‘The harder you work, the luckier you get,’” Calloway said. “I want them to represent USI well academically and professionally. They see people like Dr. Rochon and others that have been successful, and they know they can do it too.”
Calloway’s influence will continue to inspire students of all colors and make a lasting impact on USI’s history.
BY BRYCE WEST and ANTHONY RAWLEY
The Black Student Union is a student organization on campus serving as a safe space for Black students.
BSU brings students together weekly to discuss the Black community. The meetings are held Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in University Center East 2207.
BSU members said all students are welcome, not just those who are Black.
“Black Student Union is a place where any student can come,” said Kai-Lynn O’Bannon, president of BSU and senior health services major. “It’s just a safe space. We look at a lot of history and figure out what we can do on campus to be more involved.”
“We come in, and we talk about social issues, issues we may be facing on campus,” said Jade Kittrell, senior health services major. “It’s sort of a safe haven for Black students and anybody else that comes.”
Kittrell said BSU is not just for
African American students, “all people are welcome.”
“The Black Student Union is all about not just Black folks, but everybody being able to come together to talk about Black issues specifically,” said Walker Banks III, junior health administration major. “As well as educate themselves and others on what the Black experience and what we go through as a people, and how we can advance not only like outside of the educational space, but on USI’s campus as well.”
USI is considered a predominantly white institution, PWI. According to the Institutional Analytics Office, African American students constituted around 360 of the 7,361 students enrolled Fall 2022. Students said BSU helps Black students who may not know what they want to do when they get here.
“It’s impacting on the students because this is more of a PWI, so people are just coming here not knowing what to do,” said Jada Frenz,
freshman nursing major. “We have a BSU where they can come and feel like they have a family here like me. We’re all here together. We’re here to push you. We’re here to do everything else. Cause I’m a freshman, so it kind of helps with everything.”
“It’s provided a community here at USI, which is clearly a PWI,” Kittrell said.
Sanaa Jackson, junior elementary and childhood education major, said African American students only make up 4.9% of the USI population.
Members explained what being part of BSU means to them.
“It basically gives us a voice on a bigger platform and helps everyone unite with one another,” said Clyde Tsianguebeni, senior health services major.
“The Black Student Union, to me is like a family,” Frenz said. “At first it’s a little nerve-racking because you don’t know who’s who, but once you get in it’s like a family.”
BY ELIZABETH HARRIS Cartoonist
