More than 50 students gathered Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the Hive for the Black Student Union’s first event of the fall semester, connecting with other Black students and creatives while sharing their businesses, projects and talents.
The “Welcome Back Cookout!” introduced new and returning members to BSU’s executive board and encouraged students to build relationships within Columbia’s Black creative community.
“I know personally from being here at Columbia that there’s not a lot of Black people in my department, and it’s a bit discouraging,” said BSU vice president Lacresha White, a senior business and entrepreneurship major.
As of Fall 2025, 43% of Columbia’s student body identified as a person of color, with Black and African American students making up about 20% of the student population, according to the college’s Fact Book.
For students such as White, BSU offers an opportunity to find community beyond their individual majors.
Kash Smith, a sophomore music business major, was hooked by the opportunity to connect with other Black creatives through the BSU.
“I just wanted to meet some people, build connections, friendships, relationships, and you know just enjoy the day,” Smith said.
First-year illustration major Jhaya West was excited to connect with more Black students after coming from a predominantly Black school in Atlanta. For West, the BSU was a piece of home she didn’t necessarily see represented in her classes.
“Everybody is dancing, talking and introducing themselves,” West said. “It’s really fun.”
Jayda Godwin, a junior illustration major, has been a part of BSU for about a year, and she was excited to see so many new faces at the event.
“In my past two years at Columbia, I barely saw any Black students in my major,” Godwin said. “The fact I’ve been seeing a lot more people of color around just feels better.”
To solidify the connections and support fostered by this event, members were encouraged to do “shameless plugs,” allowing students to promote their businesses and projects, building a stronger network for Black students at Columbia.
“I hope to see a lot more unity from people, and that we can continue doing events that allow people to do things they like to do,” said Godwin.
That sense of community is familiar to Rajah Varnado, who experienced it as a Columbia student before returning to BSU as its faculty advisor.
“You’re around the people you’re going to be working with,” said Varnado, a Columbia alum who graduated in 2016. “There is no competition here, we’re family.”
Varnado spoke about his experience in BSU as a student and his current role as advisor.
“I met all of my friends at BSU,” Varnado said. “I hope you guys bridge that gap and create community because this is our space.”
Edited by Camila Verzino
