Updated as of 6:52 p.m. on Sept. 3 to include additional photos and video.
Energy and music filled Phi Beta Commons on Aug. 31 as Elon’s Black Student Union kicked off the school year with its annual cookout.
According to junior and BSU President Maleah Proctor, the organization’s executive staff began planning the cookout during the spring semester and added new elements to this year’s event — which include an obstacle course and a new soul food caterer. Proctor said events like the cookout help strengthen community connections and closeness for Black students on campus.
“I’m hoping with this event people are allowed to meet others, they're allowed to see that there is a Black community at Elon,” Proctor said.
Attendees dance to popular songs played by the DJ during the Black Student Union Welcome B(l)ack Cookout on Aug. 31 at the Phi Beta Kappa Commons. Many attendees used cam-recorders or their phones to record their friends dancing.
The cookout is the first big event of the year for BSU, with many freshmen in attendance for the very first time. Freshman Damani Grayson started a BSU at her high school and said she immediately decided to join Elon’s BSU when she got to campus.
“I want to have a home away from home, and this is where I feel like I am most comfortable,” Grayson said. “It was a given once I heard about it. I was like ‘I'm going.’”
Grayson, who described herself as family oriented, said she already feels her Elon family growing.
“If you constantly see the same face, then you know that you’re building something important,” Grayson said.
Connections formed through BSU don’t only extend to the fun events, according to sophomore and BSU Athletic Liaison Haleigh Cephus. Cephus said being a part of BSU empowers students to advocate for themselves — especially for students of color at a predominantly white institution.
“I think BSU’s goal, primarily, is to cultivate energy that is positive,” Cephus said. “A lot of us go through situations where we don’t want to speak up, but we have to at some point.”
Elon’s Student Government Association provided funding to BSU for the cookout. In the past, BSU has partnered with SGA and other campus organizations to host events, like “Coolin in the Commons” this past spring. According to Proctor, SGA’s financial support allowed BSU to make events free for students and more accessible.
“There’s no reason you can’t come out because there’s no cost associated,” Proctor said. “It’s really just bring yourself and a good vibe, and come and build community.”
Proctor said she makes a point to be accessible to students, whether they reach out to her through email or around campus. Accessibility is one of her main goals for BSU during her presidency.
“That’s our goal this year,” Proctor said. “To make it as easy as possible to find community because college is hard, finding community should not be.”
On Wednesday, Sep. 4, BSU is hosting a vision board event in Moseley 215.