Unity in Action

Black Student Union’s next chapter

by Christopher D’Allen, Editor-in-Chief

January 2, 2024

Pictured left to right: Malcolm Kanady (President), Aubreyona Akbar (Vice President), Alex McKee (Secretary), Gabrielle Amon-Wickers (Treasurer), Elijah Holloway (Director of Public Relations), Amarion Davis (Campus Ambassador – Oak Creek), Ventae Parrow (Campus Ambassador – Downtown), and Dr. Vicki J. Martin, MATC President addressing the board. (Not pictured: Shatashia Gatlin (Sergeant of Arms)

The Black Student Union (BSU) originated on college campuses across the United States in the 1960s, as part of a movement aimed at combating racial discrimination in higher education.

At MATC, BSU stands as an enduring organization, and with a new executive board inaugurated this November, these change-makers are poised for a lasting impact. President Malcolm (Mac) Kanady and Vice President Aubreyona Woodley lead a dynamic group of over 200 members. With support from the executive board, active members, and advisors, they are coordinating resources and study groups to help students achieve and maintain academic success.

BSU has the potential to profoundly influence students in developing their identity and finding their voices while reinforcing their sense of belonging on campus through shared experiences and cultural connections.

This academic year, BSU leaders proudly announce their impact through initiatives such as leading a toy/clothing/food drive this holiday season and working towards the launch of the inaugural BSU Scholarship at MATC.

About the Contributors

Christopher D’Allen, Editor-in-Chief

My name is Christopher D'Allen and I am the Editor-in-Chief for the MATC Times, a student run paper dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in scholastic journalism. The MATC Times stands as the voice of our students and a bastion of free speech for the communiy we represent. I joined the staff in my first semester at MATC and obtained my current position at the start of Summer '23. Here I am a photography student and hold a BA in Political Science and Spanish & Latin American Studies with a minor in Democracy and Justice Studies. I have worked an Administrative Assistant, World Language Instructor, a Head Lifeguard and Resident Assistant, but have found that my passion lies in the arts. As a photographer, I challenge myself daily to find a new perspective, capture a fleeting scene and turn moments into memories. As we work to relaunch the MATC Times website and grow our staff, I want to make joining our team as positive a learning experience and beneficial a work experience as possible. I strongly believe in the power of collaboration and inclusivity. As an Editor, I actively encourage diverse perspectives. Each student's unique viewpoint enriches our storytelling and fosters a sense of unity within our community. I aim to bridge the gap between words and images, revealing the untold stories that shape our community.

Zanaia Joshua, Editor-in-Chief

I joined the MATC Times in the 2023/24 academic year, due to my passion for journalism. I enjoy expressing myself through writing; I love a good synonym. It is exciting to bring stories to life with creativity. In my new role as Editor-in-Chief (2024/25), I get to experience the journey of creating a newspaper and all that entails. I help students share their stories through our website and print publication. We want to provide a voice for all students at MATC and the issues they care about.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, learning new things, studying quotes of wisdom, practicing fitness, dressing up, and having fun through new experiences.