If not for the Black Student Union (BSU), there’s a chance anthropology major Raven Waugh ’26 wouldn’t currently be thriving during her junior year at Southwestern University. Like many first-year students, Waugh’s transition from high school to college came with a learning curve, one that the BSU helped to eliminate.

“When I first got here, everything was so new and I was nervous to find a community,” Waugh said. “I didn’t really go out much, and I didn’t really know people. I thought about transferring, but then one day, someone who was in BSU at the time reached out and invited me to join. Without BSU, I would have felt a lot more lonely.”

The Black Student Union aims to break stereotypes, promote unity within the Black and SU community, and bring greater awareness and appreciation of the diverse Black culture by emphasizing acceptance instead of tolerance. For its members, the group provides so much more, from empowering Black students at Southwestern, to helping enhance the Black community and provide students with the resources they need to support their collegiate experience and beyond. It has allowed students to meet new friends, teammates, roommates, and lifelong connections.

“Students have people that they can connect with through this organization that otherwise, they may have never met because they’re not in the same classrooms, the same majors, or the same residence halls,” Director of Student Inclusion and Diversity and BSU Advisor Malissa Ismaila said.

In her role, Ismaila provides staff support to the student leaders of the organization, giving them the freedom to plan and execute goals, events, and initiatives, while also providing the resources to ensure their efforts are successful.

Inspired by just how much the BSU has enhanced her collegiate experience, Waugh decided to run for President of the organization this past fall. She was elected as Co-President along with fellow junior Austin Gordon ’26.

“I wanted to make sure that there was somebody who was going to listen to people, make them feel welcome, and provide a nice, smiling face,” Waugh said. “I feel like I’m a very friendly person and I want people to look at me as the Co-President of BSU and realize that it’s very welcoming for people.”

Waugh, Gordon, and Ismaila work together to host community-building events, launch public service initiatives, and advocate for Southwestern’s Black population.

BSU hosted a wildly successful paint and sip night in the fall, bringing students together to enjoy painting, mocktails, and snacks. Other events have included a skate night and, more recently, a Black History Month kickoff celebration. The organization has also hosted and participated in several mixers with other student organizations across campus with the goal of bringing together the diverse populations that make up the entire Southwestern community.

“It’s important to have community among other groups because there’s so many identities among the students,” Ismaila said. “We share some of the similar fights in social justice and in the movement, and sometimes we want to explore that with others in similar situations.”

As Co-President, Waugh is using her platform to enhance the Black student experience at Southwestern by working to improve the overall sense of safety and security for SU’s Black population, garnering support for Georgetown’s Black-owned business community, and establishing strong connections across the campus.

“BSU really gave me an opportunity and a platform to be a leader,” Waugh said. “I had the plan, I just needed the platform, and BSU gave me that platform. Everybody there is so open-minded and welcomes me, and my ideas, with open arms. BSU gave me the opportunity to stretch my wings and get connected on campus with staff, faculty, alumni, the President, and the Board of Trustees.”

The BSU is currently working to establish a Black alumni affinity group so that members can continue to network and connect after graduation. Waugh sees the networking aspect as one of the major benefits to student membership in the organization.

“College is about more than just grades,” she said. “One of the biggest things that allows college to give you upward mobility is the people that you’re with, the networking that you do, and the connections that you’re going to be able to make. Those connections are a significant part of the value of your degree. People should feel like getting involved so they can get the most out of their degree, and that includes socially.”

As Southwestern continues to celebrate Black History Month, BSU is hard at work planning future events through the remainder of the semester. The group is currently preparing for an upcoming stepping show while organizing the return of weekly cookouts aimed to bring the community closer together through shared dinners.

“I wish more people knew how much fun the students have during the time and effort that they put into the events, so that more people would attend,” Ismaila said. “You don’t have to be Black to come to our events, they’re for everyone.”

Event information is regularly posted to the organization’s Instagram page, @blackstudentunion.su. The Black Student Union meets most Thursdays from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the JEDI Center. All students are welcome to attend. For more information, interested students can contact Waugh or Gordon directly.

“People should come out and join our community,” Waugh said. “We are always open to new members. New people come all the time and we are always welcoming. If you’re looking for friends, come to BSU.”