Redwood officially welcomed its first-ever Black Student Union (BSU) to campus in January of 2024. Redwood’s Dean of Students, Tyrone Robinson Jr., initiated the BSU in hopes of sparking student engagement with diverse cultures to foster a more inclusive learning environment for students of all backgrounds.
While a handful of diverse groups exist at Redwood, Robinson observed that there were no designated events that recognized and celebrated such groups.
“I was a little taken aback at the lack of school communication and media coverage during Hispanic Heritage Month,” Robinson said.
To ensure that diverse voices were amplified during month-long observances, Robinson wanted to create an inclusive space that allows students who identify as Black as well as the Black community’s allies to explore their identities, build community and advocate for their needs.
“I just wanted a space for Black students and any students that want to come join the club to learn how to be an ally to a community,” Robinson said.
Junior Devyn Johnson, the co-president of the BSU, acknowledged Robinson’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for increased diversity and representation within the community.
“[The BSU is] trying to increase and create inclusivity here at Redwood because it’s not a place that is super diverse,” Johnson said.
According to the 2023 Redwood School Accountability Report Card, Black students made up 0.9 percent of the student population on campus, impacting the coverage of the Black experience at Redwood.
The BSU is actively contributing to Black History Month and at the beginning of the month displayed informational posters throughout the hallways with the help of the Student Led Anti-Racism Movement (SLAM) class. Additionally, the BSU recently organized a lunch event filled with trivia and upbeat music, to celebrate Black History Month. These posters and events honor the many contributions of the Black community in American society, offering students opportunities to observe and recognize the significance of this month.
“We’re trying to [coordinate] more Black History Month
events, so we can show people that Blackness is not just a monolith, but [rather] it’s more expressive. It’s diverse. It’s not just one-sided,” Johnson said.
The BSU’s goal is not just to educate the school community, but to foster a sense of appreciation for the vast contributions and experiences that define Black History Month.
Junior Elon Harris joined the club to expand his horizons and become more involved within the community.
“The Black Student Union is something that will help me educate myself properly, especially in a community [that] is predominantly white and you don’t get to hear a lot of those voices,” Harris said.
Similarly, Robinson hopes to create a space to support diverse voices in a comfortable setting, throughout his time at Redwood.
“At the end of the day, I’m just trying to create an affinity space, a safe space,” Robinson said. “I just want cultures to clash because there’s so much to experience and I think it makes life much more enjoyable.”
