At a primarily white institute, the Black Affairs Association aims to provide a safe space for students to come together and reflect on their experience.
The Black Affairs Association is a student organized group at ETSU that provides a supportive environment for students of all backgrounds.
Brook’ale Anderson is a senior in sociology and President of the Black Affairs Association. She came across the organization during her freshman year, and said she immediately felt at home. As her dedication grew stronger, she eventually became President.
“The Black Affairs Association has influenced my life by providing me with various leadership opportunities – essentially helping me discover my passion of helping underrepresented students succeed,” Anderson said. “The organization continues to influence the lives of its members by becoming a family for most students, while also providing various opportunities for the students to grow both personally and professionally.”
The group hosts activities and programs that promote black cultural awareness, such as their series of events during Black History Month in February called “Unapologetically Black,” which dives deep into black history, hair discussions, race and dating, black stereotypes and much more.
They also hold events for artists such as their Trap N’ Paint event and the Street Jam for students to show their creative expression through drawing, writing, singing or dancing.
The Black Affairs Association is open to any and all ETSU students who are interested in joining.
“We encourage people from all backgrounds to come to our meetings and events,” Anderson said. “Our main goal is to unite the students on this campus.”
As new students arrive on campus each fall, they find themselves struggling to find their home away from home and experience more of what ETSU has to show them. For incoming students, joining Black Affairs could impact their lives positively as they transition from teen to young adult.
“Being a minority on campus can be difficult especially if it’s something you’re not used to,” said Anderson. “Most students experience a great deal of culture shock when transitioning to college and as an organization, we help ease that transition by becoming a family away from home for most students.”
“The Black Affairs Association can impact a new student’s experience on this campus by providing a supportive and wholesome environment where students are able to network and build community amongst other students that look like them,” Anderson said. “It provides the foundation of familiarity and allows the students to build on that.”
Over the course of the coming semester, The Black Affairs Association plans to carry out its goal of unifying students on campus.
“We challenge students to get out of their comfort zone with events, discussions, and opportunities that will essentially allow them to grow both personally and professionally,” said Anderson.
To get involved and stay up to date on events, check them out on Instagram @blackaffairsetsu.
