By Irma Susset – Contributor

The Students’ Representative Council’s (SRC) Black History Month planning committee organized events throughout February, culminating with a Block Party on Feb. 29 in the SUB. The event, presenting various cultures, had campus clubs filling the SUB lobby with engaging activities and dancing students just before the reading week.

For over a month now, students and members of the SRC’s Board of Representatives (BSR) have been meeting to plan activities and events for Black History Month. This year, planning was different due to the disbandment of the Caribbean African Student Association last semester. At the beginning of February, the SRC planning committee announced events scheduled throughout the month to celebrate Black culture and influential Black individuals.

Zarain Erasmus, a student present at the Block Party, highlighted the importance of showcasing different dimensions of Black culture at Bishop’s, saying, “I think it’s very important to shine light on Black students and people of colour especially in a PWI [primarily white institution]. It really shows representation in the school, and it’s great to see people here in support.” She emphasized the importance of featuring Black communities’ rich heritage. Roser Riera-Serra, first year representative on the BSR, said the event was a success, highlighting the inclusion of books, information about different businesses, tea and snacks at various booths along the SUB lobby.

SRC Diversity Representative Irmah Alao told The Campus over a voice recording that “students have noted that is a good start, but for the future years, they see others things that could be integrated”. They referred to comments they heard about accentuating Black voices, representing staples of cultures and including more music, decorations, cuisine, etc., to truly celebrate and foster more aspects of the rich culture students would love to see on campus.

Politics student Ziyad Alsenani was of the opinion that there was a lack of wider university engagement on the topic, suggesting that it should be more involved in the creation and planning of these types of events rather than relying on student initiatives.

Bishop’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Office announced a Black History Month treasure hunt involving finding informative panels placed around campus from the Black Histories in the Eastern Townships project. Prof. Sunita Nigam researched and curated this exhibit in 2022 in partnership with the Eastern Townships Resource Centre, with panels designed by Fabian Will.

The booths at the Block Party were diverse in activities and educational material. The Muslim Students Association showcased famous Black Muslims; Bishop’s International presented partner institutions; and Irmah Alao brewed different teas and offered plantain chips to attendees. Sophia Stacey, SRC president, and Olivia Woods, the SRC vice-president of student life, offered students the chance to be entered into a giveaway of books by Black authors.

Fiona Goambalet, SRC international students representative, advertised her hair braiding services with her company Fifi Braidz, as well as other Black-owned businesses in Sherbrooke. The Gender Equity Club showcased Black LGBTQIA2S+ trailblazers, and the EDI committee explained its role on campus for different student groups. Representatives promoted the Project Incubator event on March 23-24 and the Black Professionals Networking Event taking place on March 20.

The evening ended with a Gait Night hosted by the Anti-Racism and Discrimination Committee (ARDC) who hired DJ BVIBE to celebrate Black History Month. Students rejoiced, with some saying it was the best Gait Night they attended this year, and that the music was amazing.

Irma Susset is the SRC equity representative.