SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — At the University of Scranton, Black History Month is about more than reflecting on the past. It’s also about building community in the present and shaping the future. 28/22 News Reporter Julie Dunphy shows how student leaders are making that happen on campus.
On the campus of the University of Scranton, Black History Month is being led by students who say the celebration is about learning, pride, and belonging.
“Black History Month is a month to celebrate our culture and influence globally and also educate the students here within our community,” Black Student Union President Quanayah Jones said.
Jones is a senior political science major, president of the black student union, and a first-generation student herself. She says the group’s work stretches far beyond February.
“Black History Month will be fun and full of just celebration,” Jones continued.
The Black Student Union is at the center of those efforts, planning events that highlight Black History, culture, and achievement not just in February, but throughout the year.
“We can take certain subjects into our own club and make sure to have those conversations,” Jones added.
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One of this year’s signature events is the excellence fest, focused on figures whose stories are often overlooked.
“Highlighting people and pioneers and educators and philosophers and individuals within the black community that have not been spoken about just yet and how they added to the excellence that we see today,” Jones stated.
Black Student Union Vice President Joshua Farrow says Black History Month gives the university a chance to broaden whose stories are told.
“There’s so many other people that made a big impact on who we are and how we came to be,” Farrow said.
He says the group works to make education engaging, not just informative.
“The most important thing is that we educate them on our history, but as I said, we have to make it engaging at trivia night, or paint and sips,” Farrow continued.
For Farrow, the impact of the Black Student Union is about community.
“Community can help people be or at least want to be, more educated,” Farrow added.
Both leaders say black history month is meant for the entire campus, not just black students.
“The BSU isn’t only for black people or minority people. It’s a place where everyone can come and learn together,” said Farrow.
Jones, who is also an RA and a coordinator for Thrive, says all of her roles connect back to one goal.
“I am also a first-generation student myself, and so I’ll be able to get them to come out to events and things like that are on campus to help them develop their own relationship with the university,” said Jones.
For these student leaders, black history month is just one part of a year-round mission to educate, uplift, and bring people together.
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