MV’s Black Student Union is dedicated to fostering a sense of community among Black students.
Through engaging events, discussions, they empower members to celebrate their culture and share the importance of culture.
Students who are involved have described that there are many benefits to being in the organization.
“I’ve learned the importance of collaboration, active listening, and effective advocacy. I’ve also gained a greater appreciation for the diversity within the Black community”, said Mr. Larry King, BSU Advisor.
Not only is Mr. King an advisor for BSU, so is the assistant nurse, Shayla Tracey.
“When I started working at MVTHS, I spent time trying to build and establish relationships with the students. While establishing those relationships a lot of the black students started to gravitate toward me and open up about their personal experiences on campus. Many of them felt like they had no voice, no place, no safe space to express themselves and learn about black history. They began to tell me how students would call them the N-word or make racist jokes and comments. They had no one to advocate for them and they felt defeated like they didn’t matter. This broke my heart as it reminded me of my personal experiences. I spent 6 months researching, talking to different individuals from other BSU’s who would advise me, I even went to a few conferences that helped me with presenting this organization to the school. I was determined to get the BSU on campus. I was fearful about the backlash I may face but I remembered the quote “Anything worth having is worth fighting for,” stated Mrs. Tracey.
BSU aims to help students with issues of just about anything.
“If you need anything, just go to Shayla or Larry,” said Marveuna Burnett,‘26.
BSU is an organization that wants to help advocate for diversity and inclusion.
On February 28, 2025, the last day of Black History Month, BSU held an assembly.
The assembly featured former MV teacher, Rashod Seaton.
He spoke about things he wants people to know about culture and he went through the history of Black culture.
“I saw that Mount Vernon needed a change, so I went to administration and brought up BSU, they seemed to be nervous about the word Black. They said no and got uncomfortable. So instead of BSU I went with ASU, and it got approved”, said Mr. Seaton.
Through BSU students can learn a lot about leadership skills and just helping others out.
MV’s Black Student Union is dedicated to fostering a sense of community among Black students.
Through engaging events, discussions, they empower members to celebrate their culture and share the importance of culture.
Students who are involved have described that there are many benefits to being in the organization.
“I’ve learned the importance of collaboration, active listening, and effective advocacy. I’ve also gained a greater appreciation for the diversity within the Black community”, said Mr. Larry King, BSU Advisor.
Not only is Mr. King an advisor for BSU, so is the assistant nurse, Shayla Tracey.
“When I started working at MVTHS, I spent time trying to build and establish relationships with the students.
While establishing those relationships a lot of the black students started to gravitate toward me and open up about their personal experiences on campus.
Many of them felt like they had no voice, no place, no safe space to express themselves and learn about black history.
They began to tell me how students would call them the N-word or make racist jokes and comments.
They had no one to advocate for them and they felt defeated like they didn’t matter.
This broke my heart as it reminded me of my personal experiences. I spent 6 months researching, talking to different individuals from other BSU’s who would advise me, I even went to a few conferences that helped me with presenting this organization to the school.
I was determined to get the BSU on campus.
I was fearful about the backlash I may face but I remembered the quote “Anything worth having is worth fighting for.” ,”stated Mrs.Tracey.
BSU aims to help students with issues of just about anything.
“If you need anything, just go to Shayla or Larry”, said Marveuna Burnett,‘26.
BSU is an organization that wants to help advocate for diversity and inclusion.
