The History of the Black Student Union at Lab

The Black Student Union (BSU) at Lab has undergone a significant transformation over the years. While the exact origins of the club are unclear, it was initially known as the Black Alliance Club, run by an outside organization that aimed to create spaces for minority students in predominantly white schools.

2020: A Shift Towards Activism

In 2020, during the height of the racial reckoning sparked by the death of George Floyd, the club's leadership shifted. Under the guidance of Brianna Trinidad and with the support of teacher facilitator Mr. Duru, the club pivoted towards a focus on activism. This marked the adoption of the name Black Student Union and a commitment to addressing racial equity and anti-blackness, both within the Lab community and the broader world. Mr. Duru advertised the club to many Black and brown students in his Global 9 class including Sara Ismail, now our Student Government Vice President, and Jaiden Inniss, our Student Government President. The club was extremely active despite it being over Zoom. They organized a range of events including a live libation ceremony, ran racial justice workshops, and had a heavy hand in the virtual World Majority Day.

Jaiden Innis and Anandi Applewhite, BSU Leaders 2021-2022

2021-2022: Educating the Community

In 2021, with Anandi Applewhite and Jaiden Inniss at the helm, the BSU continued to push for greater awareness and action around racial equity issues. They took time in forming the mission statement and had members give their BSU purpose. They made their presence known by organizing events at Lab through BSU like Black to Class and Black to the Movies. However, the club would face multiple challenges. These included a growing number of allies who attended the Friday lunch meetings without fully understanding the club's mission, as well as a school that wasn't equipped—and in some cases unwilling—to engage in conversations about anti-Blackness and racial inequality.

BSU Programing, 2021

2023: A New Era 

This year, the BSU has adopted a leadership team approach, allowing them to better address multiple needs and activities simultaneously. The club has shifted its focus towards supporting and creating a safe space for Black and brown underclassmen, mirroring its original purpose. This has led to a more focused and intentional approach, with the club meeting after school on Thursdays to maintain this dedicated membership.

Current BSU Team, 2023- 2024

Three members of the BSU leadership team hold a position in our school's student government. At the start of the year, a comment made by the administration reversed the work of the SGO, and BSU took it as the straw that broke the camel's back. This culminated in two meetings with administration where the club presented a list of grievances, announced the cancellation of the annual schoolwide Black Spirit Week celebration, and offered administration a way to move forward. It was suggested that the administration announce during the DOE-mandated Black History Month Acknowledgement a formal explanation as to why BSU would not be having a schoolwide Black Spirit Week, hold teachers and students accountable, and apologize for the past broken relationship between the administration and BSU. It was eagerly agreed upon during the meeting, but unfortunately that's not what happened. Instead, only students and teachers were blamed for their lack of engagement and administration took no blame whatsoever.

While the administration's response was beyond inadequate, the Black Student Union continues to evolve, adapting to the needs of its members and the broader Black community. As it navigates the complexities of racial equity and activism within Lab, the club remains a vital space for Black and brown students to find community, support, and a platform for their voices to be heard.