Black students demand accountability, consequences at town hall

Bryce Wilson
University of Maryland students distraught after a comment made at the Black town hall meeting at the Edward Saint John Learning and Teaching Center in College Park, Md., Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. The town hall was organized by Black student leaders to speak on racial problems on campus. (Jayden Romero/The Black Explosion)

Dozens of Black students gathered Friday evening for a Black town hall hosted by the newly formed Black Council.

The meeting comes after members of the University of Maryland Club Tennis team shared a document with racist imagery to 13 other schools, including Howard University for a mid-October tournament.

The town hall was led by several leaders of Black organizations including the Student Success Leadership Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Black Student Union and the collegiate unit of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People chapter. Together, the group recognized themselves as the Black Council.

The group presented a list of demands to the university including protections for Black students and their mental health, as well as better funding for Black organizations. The full list has been reproduced at the bottom of the article.

This meeting was an open forum planned by the Black Council to discuss the Black community feelings surrounding the controversy. The town hall featured voices from all across the university, to leaders of predominantly Black organizations, to average students trying to find community.

Kaden Monroe, a freshman government and politics student, voiced his opinions on the university’s lack of response to this situation. 

“I see it as very unacceptable,” he said. “I don’t want to have to continue their fight, just because the leaders wouldn’t just fix something that should be very easy to fix.”

Many students in attendance called for the names of individuals involved with sending the image to be revealed. There were also calls for expulsion.

University of Maryland alum and Prince George’s County Councilwoman at-Large member, Wala Blegay, echoed concerns and discussed her own experience at the university.

“What was done on this campus is embarrassing.” she said. “You should be a voice, and you should be unapologetic.”

Councilwoman Walakewon Belgay delivers a speech to students at the meeting. (Jayden Romero/The Black Explosion)

Koryn Sanders, a junior psychology major, has been upset with the lack of response from President Pines. Sanders said she wants to see more action come to fruition than statements from the president.

A form was created for students to voice their demands and actions they would like to have taken.

SSLC President, Wade Dennis, concluded the meeting by reinforcing the value of community.

“I just want to make sure we all understand that we are a community, and we’re here to help each other, support each other, and find change and move forward together,” he said.

Several students voiced that they would still like those who were involved in the incident to be held accountable and for the university to take a stronger stance on racism and hateful ideologies.