The BSU held elections earlier this month for new leadership positions. Che Johnson is the BSU’s new Chairperson, while his predecessor, Jamila Gaskins, will now serve as Emeritus Chair and will Co-Chair the Events Committee with Andrea Williams. Niann Hill will serve as Secretary; Eric Katende and Tanishia Jones as Co-Treasurers; Nina Bolton as Communications Chair; and Lily Caraballo as Marketing and Webmaster Chair.
Che Johnson, Chairperson, and Jamila Gaskin, Emeritus Chair, at a screening of the Oscar-nominated film “Get Out”, which was supported by the BSU.
The Black Student Union at Antioch University Los Angeles is a community of learners, who as African Americans, share common bonds, goals, and interests connected to culture and ethnicity. A community within a community, the BSU is committed to the mission and principles of the university while focusing on issues and concerns specific to its members. In their mission statement, the BSU stresses the importance of its members to “serve as role models and leaders in our community, operate as professionals in our fields, and as allies to establish inter-sectional bonds with fellow students.”
The group is working to make students aware of their presence on campus and to encourage more black students to join the community. “We are developing a sustainable BSU that will focus on recruitment to ensure that it continues to achieve its ongoing mission,” Che said.
The BSU is planning a Cultural Humility workshop, which the members hope will benefit students, faculty, and staff by addressing areas that can be improved so that the AULA community can further live up to the school’s mission statement.
Karen Hamilton ’17 (Antioch Los Angeles, MA) is Antioch's Director of Marketing for Content and Communications. She has used her storytelling and copywriting skills for more than twenty years, crafting articles and creating publications. She believes that communication is a powerful driver for social change.
