February is Black History Month and Niles West’s Black Student Union (BSU) is in full swing when it comes to making the most of the month. February 6 was the annual Black Student Student Summit at Niles North, an event that has taken place every February in recent years. Along with the student summit, sponsor Dillin Randolph and student president, junior Lydie Boussoukou, are working on providing new events and spaces for black students to feel celebrated during February.
Boussoukou is the president of BSU and has been putting in a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure that all Niles West students are informed about the importance of Black History Month. From the annual assembly coming up on Feb. 21 to a collaboration with the Niles West library, Boussoukou is making sure that the month is filled with activities celebrating black people.
“We’re planning our Black History Month assembly as well as different activities to do within the month. I made the calendar so this month is going to be full of different things like trivia, which will be school-wide, BSU going to Glenbrook South High School for a potluck and a collaboration with the Niles West library to make mini-books featuring black authors,” Boussoukou said.
Boussoukou provided some insight into the planning that took place behind the scenes to sort out the Black Student Summit and claimed that the planning wasn’t fully stress-free.
“There was a lot of planning in the background by the adults and myself, so at first it kind of looked a bit scary because of all the different fences that we had to go over, but overall I think [the Black Student Summit] will be fun,” Boussoukou said.
Randolph is back as the sponsor of BSU after taking a break following the 2021-2022 school year. He attended the Black Student Summit and shared that it was a success.
“We had a great time connecting and celebrating. I ran the Black History Jeopardy session, and the students loved it,” Randolph said.
When asked about what new things BSU has planned for this year’s Black History Month, Randolph claimed the information was to be kept a secret between him and the BSU members.
“You’ll have to wait and find out [what’s planned]! [To join BSU] just show up and show out! We have meetings every Thursday. Just come talk to me or any other members,” Randolph said.
Junior Imareyah Harvey is a member of BSU who worked to help set up the Black History Month poster featured across from the athletic office. Along with helping create the poster, Harvey is also preparing to be a dancer in this month’s Black History Month assembly and attended the Black Student Summit.
“I’ve been in BSU since my freshman year. We have an assembly later this month and I’m going to be dancing in it; I’m excited,” Harvey said.
