On Feb. 21, 2025, the Black Student Union (BSU) hosted the “Legacy and Progress” event, showcasing an alumni panel and a museum exhibition with stories and photographs dating back to BSU’s founding in 1968.
Held in the Gilman Atrium, the event’s museum exhibition featured old photographs of BSU throughout the decades, Black performance advertisements, protest signs and yearbooks. In an email to The News-Letter, Gnagna Sy — BSU president — explained the inspiration behind the event and the importance of the showcased documents.
She stated that while Ty'Shera Mintz, BSU vice president, and her were cleaning the BSU room, they found a many documents, artifacts and historical records that showcased a rich and important story of Black student life at Hopkins. Research, history and education chair Omotara Tiamiyu and outreach chair Oluwatoyosi Fowowe envisioned creating a museum-style event to showcase the artifacts
“Many of the documents we uncovered from the early years of the BSU resonate strongly with the conversations we’re still having today particularly regarding admissions statistics and institutional support,” Sy elaborated.
The alumni panel reflected on Black student struggles and lessons over the years. Shamarya Robinson, alumni relations chair, and Harmony Madu, publicity chair, began by introducing Hopkins alumni Dr. Christina Chapman, an assistant professor at the Baylor College of Medicine; Ryan Harrison, a software architect and former Presidential Innovation Fellow at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and Lauren Taylor, a strategic communications panelist at Concurrent Technologies Corporation.
In an email interview with The News-Letter, Sy highlighted the significance of amplifying alumni voices.
“The stories of our predecessors should not be forgotten, but they should serve as both inspiration and guidance for future generations,” she wrote.
Robinson first asked the group to share how their time at Hopkins shaped their identity as a Black student. Chapman and Harrison recounted a racist incident involving a fraternity party titled “Halloween at the Hood,” which featured racist costumes promoting Black culture stereotypes.
Chapman highlighted that, while this version of racism made it easier to address due to its objectivity, no action was taken despite protests.
“They had decorations where skeletons were hanging around the [fraternity house]. At night, it looked like you were walking into a bunch of bodies hanging from nooses,” she stated. “We had a protest the next day at Charles Commons. [...] We were out there all day long until finally President Brody called a meeting [to stop], but there was a lot of backlash against us.”
Chapman also shared another racist encounter where her physics lab teaching assistant (TA) always gave her and her Black partner — the only Black students in the lab — the lowest scores despite their correct work.
“If you used the formula correctly, you got the right answer,” she said. “We had been doing it correctly, but our racist TA graded everybody else first, graded us last, gave us the lowest grades and [...] didn’t correct [them].”
Taylor mentioned similar hardships in predominantly white academic environments. She recalled a specific incident in her Media and Politics class when she received a derogatory comment from her classmate.
“Instead of confronting the other person who escalated the situation, my [white professor] tells me after class that I need to control my temper. [...] That really opened my eyes to the culture [around me],” she stated.
Madu then directed the panelists to discuss the role of Black student organizations in fostering community and advocacy on campus from their own experiences. Chapman and Harrison, alumni of BSU specifically, reflected on their the results of their protests, specifically regarding outer-community response.
Chapman recalled how these protests attracted very few allies outside of the Black community, highlighting the importance of solidarity within BSU.
“Just remember [BSU], you all have no allies. All you have is each other, so support each other and don’t be guilted [by harmful ideologies],” she said.
Reflecting on the recent SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action, Robinson shared the Class of 2028 admissions statistics: Out of 1,288 students, 73 were Black Americans. Taylor elaborated on the importance of the Black community with regards to choosing schools who value diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Go where you are wanted, go where you are loved and go where you are. There is no lack of qualified Black students who should be admitted here, and there is no excuse for [Hopkins] to not admit more [Black] students,” she said.
Madu concluded the discussion by requesting advice for the next generation of Black students. Harrison emphasized the importance of prioritizing education.
“Be students first and foremost; use this time in your life to explore [since] [...] you have well-resourced opportunities.”
Chapman stressed the need for community strength while Taylor encouraged students to advocate for themselves.
Both of them addressed ways to combat the systemic barriers against Black students to survive and flourish in their environments.
“There are barriers everywhere, [...] so that’s why you have to lean on each other. Don’t let the weight of being Black weigh you down and outweigh your experience,” Chapman advised.
Taylor added, “It’s always appropriate to talk about yourself; that’s how you will network and set yourself up with opportunities [amidst the barriers]. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.”
Ella Wilson, a freshman member of BSU, reflected on the event as an attendee and assistant organizer in the event in an interview with The News-Letter.
“I came as I thought it would be a good opportunity to be around the Black community and their history. In some ways it was encouraging to see the growth of BSU, but, in other ways, it was discouraging to see how much work still has to be done,” she said.
Looking ahead, Sy also elaborated on BSU’s future plans and this event’s inspiration for future generations.
“While this is the first time we’ve hosted this event, we absolutely hope to make it a BSU tradition. [The event] was an amazing opportunity for our younger executive board members to see how quickly ideas can materialize when fueled by passion, teamwork, and the dedication of Black students at Hopkins,” she wrote.
