LBC plans ahead for year
Legion of Black Collegians teams up with Delta Sigma Theta for Welcome Black BBQ.
Aug. 26, 2008
(Click graphic to enlarge)
The Legion of Black Collegians is planning events focused on reaching out to new students in order to further its goals of increasing diversity and acting as a voice of the underrepresented.
LBC Vice President Jerusha Wells said LBC is a positive force on campus.
"It helps unite the African-American community and helps increase diversity throughout the organizations on campus," Wells said.
To enhance diversity, LBC encourages the students they meet to join other organizations outside of the LBC. The LBC does this by working with the Missouri Students Association and by sponsoring activities.
"We promote events and show that everyone must work together to be successful," LBC Activities Chairwoman Erin Vincent said.
One event the LBC promotes is its annual Welcome Black BBQ.
"It's a social event to get all black freshmen in one place to get acquainted with one another and other black organizations on campus," LBC President Anthony Martin said.
Martin said he views this initial event as an easy way for first-year students to make friends and get familiar with each other early in the semester. While the event may appear to be mainly for black students, it is not exclusive, organizers said.
"The event is targeted for black students, but everyone is welcome," Martin said.
Vincent, who helped plan the event, encouraged students to stop by the barbecue because of all the opportunities it presents.
"Come out because it's a good opportunity to meet leaders on campus and see all the resources available," Vincent said. "There's food, fun, entertainment and there's always a lot of other people."
In addition to being acquainted with fellow collegians, students will receive the Black Book, a guide filled with information about different on-campus organizations.
This year is the first in which LBC is partnering with Delta Sigma Theta sorority for the Welcome Black BBQ. The event will fit well into the sorority's Welcome Week that encourages similar ideals that LBC promotes, chapter President Tiara Williamson said.
While this is only the first year of the partnership, Vincent said she thinks that this might become a yearly union.
"I'm hopeful it might become an annual partnership because it helps gain support and prepare students for their collegiate life," Vincent said.
Although the LBC's current focus is publicizing the Welcome Black BBQ, it is only the first of several activities coming up for the group.
LBC has an on-going series, Speak on It, which was created to help bring awareness to issues faced on campus in hope of finding a solution.
"It allows people to voice an opinion on whatever they want to discuss with a group, and then the LBC tries to find a solution," Vincent said.
The series is open to anyone who sees an issue and has the desire to speak about it, Vincent said.
Martin, Vincent and Wells all said they encourage students to get involved early like they did.
They all joined the LBC their first week on campus and have remained active as upperclassmen. Martin said he feels the benefits of joining are far-reaching.
"You feel a sense of belonging and get a feel for working with others," he said. "By getting involved in organizations, you do better in school and gain confidence in yourself."
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