Written by: Michael Kysylyczyn
Abigail Donaldson and Thailin Johnson created The Black Heritage Club at The University of Northwestern at the beginning of the 2024 school year. Celebrating cultural differences, Donaldson and Johnson have high hopes for their new club.
The Black Heritage Club (BHU) aims to build a community for students of color. They are creating a designated space and time to celebrate heritage. All ethnicities are welcome. The club has events for building campus community. Hosting speakers, playing board games, watching movies, enjoying snacks, and worshiping together are all things the club has done or plans to do.
Due to the ethnic makeup at Northwestern, Donaldson and Johnson felt called to make the club. US News reports The University of Northwestern – St. Paul has a 79% white student population. They additionally report that 5% of the student makeup is black. Highlighting this small community is invaluable. Donaldson urges that this is one of the reasons the club is so important.
Four Northwestern students make up the leadership team for BSU. The students and their respective positions are as follows: Abigail Donaldson, Co-president; Thailin Johnson, Co-President; Cannon Jackson, Event Coordinator; Kiahna Oetken, secretary.
Donaldson and Johnson cannot wait for BSU’s upcoming events. The Club will be featured at an upcoming Chapel panel, host more movie and game nights, and, on November 14th, host a Gospel Choir morning Chapel.
Donaldson encourages that all are welcome to the club, it is not exclusive. She states, “Bring whoever you want! It’s just time to hang out and eat some food.”
The Black Heritage Club is encouraging diverse communities at UNW. You can find more information on their Instagram page. https://www.instagram.com/unwblackheritageclub/
