UMD’s Black Student Union has a new president and his name is Bryant Reed
The University of Maryland’s Black Student Union has entered a new chapter under its latest president, Bryant Reed.
Reed, who is a junior information systems major, is excited for the future of BSU as the new leader of the club. He is aiming to foster an environment where people can feel secure.
“My goal is to make sure that at the end of the year, everybody felt welcomed,” said Reed. “They felt at home, they felt like they found somewhere where they can feel safe.”
The junior is entering his third year as a member of BSU. He originally served as the secretary of the freshman council, followed by a position as vice president of student affairs his sophomore year. He described his journey to the top as spontaneous and yet somehow natural.
“I wasn’t super involved when I was in high school,” he said. “So coming into college, I kind of just randomly decided I wanted to turn over a new leaf and I ran for freshman council.”
As for those who are afraid to branch out and explore at the university, Reed says to simply go for it.
“You never know unless you try,” he told The Black Explosion. “If you succeed in the way that you define success, then the reward is much greater than any failure that you could have perceived if you didn’t try.”
However, the opportunity does not serve as a resume enhancer for Reed who views the position as deeply intrinsic. Instead, he is driven by the desire to impact his community.
“To be a Black Terp is not a pin of shame, it’s a badge of honor,” he expressed. “I carried that with me throughout my college career, and I want to instill that in everybody around me.”
Achieving this goal means acknowledging the different realities that Black students face at a predominantly white institution. As of Fall 2025 Black students make up 13.6% of the student body.
Reed notes that getting accepted into the college is a selective process on its own, with this university’s admission rate at 45.1% as of Fall of 2025, and finding a sense of belonging upon arrival only adds to that.
Aniyah McGregor, a sophomore double majoring in marketing and information systems who serves as vice president of public relations, experienced that adjustment firsthand.
“[BSU] gives me a sense of belonging, especially at a PWI,” she said. “I came from a high school where everyone basically looked like me and came from my certain economic status. So coming here, it was kind of hard to feel like I had a place. But BSU was one of the first places I looked to for that sense of community and belonging.”
That pursuit for community is a common theme among the executive board. Gabrielle Dawson, a sophomore majoring in public policy with a pre-law focus who serves as vice president of student affairs for the Black Student Union, also found comfort within the club.
“Just being in a space with familiarity right-on this campus is something that I really value,” she told The Black Explosion. “Helping other students who look like me and who are trying to navigate this whole college experience as well is very important to me.”
Dawson, who was also heavily involved in BSU at her local high school, notes that Reed’s passion makes him a great leader for the organization.
McGregor echoed that statement, expressing her optimism for the upcoming term.
“Bryant has the drive that we need to have a successful year and to execute a lot of the stuff we have planned,” she said.
While Reed keeps those specific plans close to his chest, he tells those on campus to simply “stay tuned” for what he’ll do during his time as BSU’s president. Ultimately, he is focused on ensuring future students continue to feel welcome.
“My goals are what they always have been, to instill in people that are coming in after me that it really is honorable to be a Black Terp,” he said. “It is something that is genuinely a privilege.”