Highlights of the Black Student Union Freshman Council speeches
Ralf Igiraneza gives his speech as Mahlet Nigussu watches. (Nina Wilson/The Black Explosion)
On Tuesday in the Nyumburu Cultural Center, the Renaissance-themed Freshman Council Election for the Black Student Union started with excitement and cheers from the crowd.
The theme is influenced by Beyoncé’s 2022 “Renaissance” album. The album was released during the COVID-19 pandemic and is meant to celebrate life, Black and queer culture during challenging times.
“Being there to support them is going to be very pivotal in their time, especially as up-and-coming leaders on campus, especially in the Black space,” BSU Speaker of the House Julion Harris said.
Candidates gave their speeches and then answered a question from a BSU executive board member.
A total of 30 candidates ran for president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, marketing chair, communications chair and historian.
Demarcus “Marcus” Johnson, a presidential candidate and information science major, engaged the crowd the most. He passionately stated his plans for tutoring and networking events, workshops, themed movie nights with snacks and a BSU cookout for one of the bigger football games. Every event listed garnered approving “mmm’s” with head nods from the audience.
He asked, “is anyone looking for love?” The audience responded with cheers, giggles and a few hand raises. Johnson promised to make Black Love Week, an annual celebration held by BSU, amazing.
“As your president, I hope to keep that dedication within our community. I would like to foster events to help us connect more together,” Johnson said.
Some candidates used fun slogans for their campaigns that garnered attention from audience members. Vice presidential candidates Makayla “Mak” Johnson with her “Don’t be wack, vote for Mak!” and Langston Bushrod with his “Don’t be lame, vote for Lang!” were notable standouts.
“I look forward to every event, every meeting and I'm really here to make sure that you guys feel that way as well, because this is a beautiful thing we're seeing today,” said Vice Presidential candidate Miriam “Mimi” Taiwo Garcia on having a welcoming community like BSU.
Bryant Reed received a positive crowd response. Reed, who was running for secretary, made each statement personal and certain, gathering whoops and cheers from the crowd throughout. Harris had to yell at the audience multiple times to hold their applause.
Reed ended his speech by saying, “being a Black Terp is not a pin of shame. It is a badge of honor."
“I believe we should have a highlight of the Black businesses on campus. I know, coming to a PWI as a new student, I was wondering, who's going to do my hair, my nails, my lashes, and for the guys, you might have been wondering, is there a barber for me here?” Communications Chair candidate Alisa Davis said, referring to her goals with the BSU Instagram page.
The historian candidates had amazing audience interaction.
“I stand before you, standing on the shoulders of great African Americans who honored the call to do something as we look forward to the future of our university,” Theresa Merrifield, a candidate for Freshman Council historian said. “We must do something to ensure that our voices are heard and our legacy is intertwined into the fabric of this great university.”
As Merrifield ended her speech, she held up her iPad camera, capturing the BSU members in the room and said, “say ‘cheese’ y’all!”
Mahlet Nigussu took to the stand next, quoting Frank Ocean’s “Miss You So.”
“That’s why I was always taking pictures… ‘Cause I didn’t want to miss a thing.” She said.
“I’m the biggest champion of Freshman Council, the biggest champion of Black freshmen in general, and so I feel like the more support they have, the more positive outlook they’ll have on the Black community as a whole, and then they’ll be more willing to continue their leadership positions, changing the campus for the better,” Harris said on the Freshman Council.
BSU will announce the winners on Sept. 27 via instagram. The first general body meeting with the newly elected Freshman Council Members will take place on Oct. 8.