Black Student Alliance, often known as BSA, is a student organization for Georgetown's Black community. BSA describes its mission as "compensating for [Georgetown's] deficiencies, reaffirming pride and a sense of self-awareness and creating a sense of community"1.
History
Black Student Alliance was founded in 19682. Bernard White (CAS '69), the first Black player on Georgetown's men's basketball team, played a leading role in establishing the BSA3. BSA members lobbied for the creation of two Georgetown staples — the Black House, a space for Georgetown's Black students, and the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access, which originated from BSA's efforts to create a center for students of color4.
BSA has played an integral role in helping low-income students of color attend Georgetown. In 1971, they contributed $1,375.85 to the Community Scholars Program. Conan Louis (l'73), chairman of the BSA explained that these funds were donated "to give black people the opportunity to get the type of education Georgetown offers." Under Louis' leadership, BSA secured a permanent meeting space for Black students -- the Black House. 5
Throughout its history, BSA has used its organization for advocacy efforts and join nationwide movements to improve the lives of Black students. In April 1989, members of BSA joined with other students to recognize National Black Student Action Day and protest racial injustices on American campuses. Georgetown students marched from Leavey to Healy in silence. Students demanded more diverse faculty and history classes, as well as more funding for minority groups and clubs. Furthermore, they protested recent tuition hikes, which had disproportionately affected black students, many of whom could not return for the semester.
Offerings
BSA hosts a range of programming for members. Past events include film screenings and discussions5. In 2022, BSA hosted an event at Leo's highlighting Black American cuisine, featuring a demonstration from Chef Jerome Grant of the National Museum of African American History and Culture6.
BSA hosts an annual Visions of Excellence Ball every spring7. First held in 1997, Visions features awards for nominees in a range of categories8, including Academic Achievement and Community Service9. BSA selects a different theme for Visions every year; the 2018 event adopted a "Mask Off" theme10. In a feature on Visions in the Georgetown Voice, former BSA president Nile Blass (CAS '22) noted that the event provides a rare opportunity to bring all members of Georgetown's Black community together11.
Additional information on the activities and history of the Black Student Alliance and Georgetown's wider Black community is available in the oral history collection titled, We are Georgetown: Celebrating Our Black History.
- 1Georgetown University Black Student Alliance, Home. http://gublackstudentalliance.weebly.com/.
- 2Georgetown University, Black Student Alliance Celebrates 50-Year Legacy of Community and Support. https://www.georgetown.edu/news/black-student-alliance-celebrates-50-year-legacy-of-community-and-support/.
- 3Georgetown University, Black Student Alliance Celebrates 50-Year Legacy of Community and Support. https://www.georgetown.edu/news/black-student-alliance-celebrates-50-year-legacy-of-community-and-support/.
- 4Georgetown University, Black Student Alliance Celebrates 50-Year Legacy of Community and Support. https://www.georgetown.edu/news/black-student-alliance-celebrates-50-year-legacy-of-community-and-support/.
- 5Peters, Larry. "BSA Contributes to Scholarship Fund." The Hoya, Vol. LV., No.5, Sept 30, 1971.
- 5Georgetown University | The Feed, Georgetown University's Black Student Alliance celebrates 50 years. https://feed.georgetown.edu/access-affordability/georgetown-universitys-black-student-alliance-celebrates-50-years/.
- 6Kales, Eli. "Student Groups Honor the Impact of Black Culture on American Cuisine." The Hoya. 3 March 2022.
- 7Zhang, Max. "Visions 2022 marks 25 years of celebrating Black Georgetown." The Georgetown Voice. 16 April 2022.
- 8Zhang, Max. "Visions 2022 marks 25 years of celebrating Black Georgetown." The Georgetown Voice. 16 April 2022.
- 9Georgetown University Black Student Alliance, Visions of Excellence Ball. http://gublackstudentalliance.weebly.com/visions-of-excellence-ball.html.
- 10Zhang, Max. "Visions 2022 marks 25 years of celebrating Black Georgetown." The Georgetown Voice. 16 April 2022.
- 11Zhang, Max. "Visions 2022 marks 25 years of celebrating Black Georgetown." The Georgetown Voice. 16 April 2022.
