It had started in my home church, I started the Junior Ushers, how this started? My Godpapa has been the treasure for the church for many years, and I wanted to do what he and what I saw my Grandpa doing. I got involved, did I know at the age 8 I was going to set up a foundation in my church of all little people to become leaders? No, but when I set my heart out for something, I go for it. I also was a Children's Church teacher by the age of 16.
In school I always went for what I wanted, and I got it.
My first year in High School I learned about the Diversity Council, which was basically a group of us kids wanting our school to know about diversity and promote and show diversity. I was elected to be on that board at age 15. I was a teacher aid, and I was an office aid as well as I was apart of the Lunch Committee. All of these accomplishments that I was apart of was only to lead me into the position I wanted from day one, and that was to be a LinkCrew Member. LinkCrew was specifically designed to help the incoming sophomores and their new transition into high school. When I was first introduced to my LinkLeaders, I knew that one day I was going to be one. Not just anybody can become a LinkLeader, it is a rather simple process but you have to be dedicated. When I was nominated by one of my favorite teachers, that was just the beginning, I had to write why I wanted to be a LinkLeader and why it was so important to me. I then was chosen out of 400 students, only around 150 get picked. And for my Senior year I was able to leave an impact on my school and the individuals that I helped make their experience a little bit more exciting than fearing.
After graduation it didn't stop there, now in college I have been apart of the Black Student Union for the last two years, and I can say it has impacted me more than I can say in a short blog post. My first year apart of BSU I was just a member, and then the year following I ran for the Event Coordinator position on the board. I knew as a member that I wanted to help make a difference on my campus, I wanted to be apart of something that is bigger than me, bigger than campus, it is a lifestyle, it is how the world is. I love being around black educated students, my peers, because they enlighten me, they are my MSU family.
There is a lot of misconceptions about BSU, as well as any other group there will be. Sometimes, it is a downer to hear all the negativity about our organization, but then I realize, we have worked our asses off the last year, to try and do things differently and in a more positive way. In the fall we volunteered to play bingo with the older folks, which they really enjoyed having us, we plan to go again before the year is up. We fund raised, (even pitched in our extra money to help make funds more affordable) a lot to make sure that people that were really dedicated and showed passion for their future and BSU would take part of the National Black Student Union Conference held every year in November in Illinois. Our biggest month of the year is February (as I am glad it is over, though its the shortest month, it felt like the longest) I couldn't even begin to describe how stressed out everybody was to make sure each event that was held (basically every night leading up to the Pan African Conference) was a success. The Strength In Colors, which I coordinated with the President EJ of Voice and Vision, was a HUGE success, there was so many people that there wasn't even enough chairs, but people still stayed.
Many of us had early mornings, long days, and sleepless nights. These are just some of the many, many events that have occurred in the last year. The meaning to all that is this, our BSU is filled with the most loving, generous, caring, most dedicated people I have ever worked with. Is it always bliss? No, there has been many of disagreements, loss of members, and tears. But in the end of the day, the good out weights the bad.
Every week the board members comes together to talk about how we can make BSU better, we all have our own lives and busy schedules but we dedicate an hour of our time to bring everyone's ideas and concerns in motion. Then on Thursdays we come together with our members to present the ideas, and to get to know one another and educate each other.
Whats next?
We have elections, which I do plan to run again, and I am determined to obtain the position I will be running for. As my last year being on the board of the BSU I am going to make another yearly impact.
Following we are having our first Ebony Ball, which I am in lead of with my fellow board and general members. Leading up to the Ebony Ball there will be a Multi-Cultural week that the BSU specifically wanted to recognize other diverse RSO's on campus.
Be the change you want to see. I feel like so many people have their opinions & how things should be, but they are never the ones making things happen. If you don't like a law for example, you get a petition going and start a movement! Don't just sit on your ass & keep talking shit cause you might not know what people are already in the midst of changing themselves. This was me giving my background on how I love being a leader. Anyone can do it, I can name a handful of leaders that I am surrounded by daily. On top of that I salute all of my fellow leaders, because it is wayy easier to sit on your ass & not be the change then going out and becoming it. You think President Obama became the President by giving into the criticism and the negativity? No he didn't, open your eyes people, change is coming!
XO Sam
