The 2020–2021 Letter to BSU
1st Annual Letter
May 15th, 2021
Dear BSU Community Members of 2020–2021,
We wanted to write to you a letter of our annual achievements, struggles, and hopes for the future of this community.
It is essential that this annual letter reviews the past of BSU for each individual member of our community to understand its history about how we came to be, what we did, and where we plan to go.
As you all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for us all, yet in the midst of this, we have been able to accomplish much together. As the turbulence of COVID-19 pacifies, we look to a new future.
The Babson Black Student Union has been a collective of individuals that spans all across the world. Recognizing this, we understand that the meaning of Blackness is different to us all, but we want to be a home for solace and understanding. That’s why we officially recognize ourselves as an Afro-Diasporic organization.
With that, we would like to celebrate our first achievement which is The Johnson House located behind Reynolds Campus Center and near Barefoot Park. The Johnson House is a space where we bring together 15 residents who exude qualities of the three pillars of The Johnson House: unity, stewardship, and excellence. The objective of the house is not only to be a space to hear and talk about our problems but also to be a space of action-based solutions. Because action allows for CHANGE!
In the first year of The Johnson House, we wanted this year to be about creating a legacy, that’s why we titled it as the year of LEGACY. Then, next year it’s the year of BUILD & SUSTAIN.
This is our space and our home. A beacon of excellence.
With that, we would like to acknowledge The Johnson House residents during this momentous year:
Jaylen Bell ‘21, Donovan Davis ‘21, Mezue Eneh ‘21, Xiomara Kelly ‘21, Sydney Logan ‘21, Fahme Ibrahim ‘22, Scekem Wells ‘22, Alexandra Douglas ‘23, Curtis Johnson ‘23, Rennic Liverpool ‘23, Shane Seaberry ‘23, Madison Spence ‘23, Rhesa Teesdale ‘23, and Clemence Umutoni ‘23. We would also like to recognize an individual who helped in ideating the house Aaliyah Nelson ‘23, yet who could not be with us due to COVID restrictions.
Within this recent era, the turning point for BSU came under the presidency of Wes Woodson ‘20 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the organization. He took the mantle from the previous president Alexis Cohen ‘19 who was able to close out her year successfully by helping reconstruct the new Executive Board for him.
Under the leadership of Jaylen Bell ‘21 and Mezue Eneh ‘21, we want to celebrate our achievements as an organization:
- Creation of the Babson BSU Advisory Board and the Babson BSU Student Advisory Committee
- These advisors are partaking in helping and guiding BSU to make improvements and further strides for our community on and beyond campus
The Advisory Board consists of:
Namesake Advisor: Eric G. Johnson
Faculty Advisor: Angela Randolph
Community Advisor: Cyril Guerra, Jr.
Economic Development Advisor: Dr. Shakeena Williams
Alumni Advisors (4): Wes Woodson, Jaylen Bell, Mezue Eneh, Xiomara Kelly
The Committee consists of:
Class of 2024: Abimbola Akala, Ashley Battiata, Benjamin Aliker, Caila Lewis, Demarre Johnson, Marchel Washington, Ariane Raymond
Class of 2023: Christopher Ogunbufunmi, Clemence Umutoni, Madison Spence
Class of 2022: Adejoke Atitebi, Scekem Wells
- List of Demands — created by Xiomara Kelly ‘21
- An actionable list of solutions to create institutional change at Babson College based upon the feedback from BSU Community members and allies
- BSU Merch — created by Mezue Eneh ‘21 & Rhesa Teesdale ‘23
- BSU FAMS — created by Wes Woodson ‘20, Mezue Eneh ‘21 & executed by Fahme Ibrahim ‘22
- A mentorship program that helps and provides support for its members
- BSU Pass — created by Mezue Eneh ‘21 & executed by Donovan Davis ‘21
- A way to help support black-owned businesses in the Boston area (Go check it out @babsonbsu on Instagram)
- $25,000 Donation — By Eric G. Johnson ‘72
- A generous donation to plant the seed to inspire solutions to tackle the wealth gap long-term.
- Boston Black Student Caucus — created by Mezue Eneh ‘21 & Scekem Wells ‘22
- A consortium of black student organizations in order to come together to collaborate and unite beyond our campuses in the Boston area in order to empower the potential of our Black/Afro-Diaspora.
- Endowment — created by Mezue Eneh ‘21 & Jaylen Bell ‘21
- A way to provide visible, action-based, and replicable solutions to help close the racial wealth gap of $8 in the Greater Boston Area over the next 50 years. Out of it comes four vehicles for action:
- The House Fund to help improve the space
- The Johnson House Professional Development Fund to empower our residents
- Babson BSU Black Business Seed Fund to support black businesses in Boston
- The Johnson House IMPACTS Seed Fund to help Boston youth learn about entrepreneurship and in turn create business opportunities for themselves.
We are so happy with the work we have been able to achieve during this academic year. The whole point of this work is to put BSU on the map as one of the top-tier organizations on Babson’s campus and to give its members a feeling that they are proud to be part of this reputable community as an Executive Board officer, a resident of The Johnson House, or a member of this community.
In doing so, we would also like to recognize our past E-Board members:
Jaylen Bell ‘21, Donovan Davis ‘21, Mezue Eneh ‘21, Xiomara Kelly ‘21, Adejoke Atitiebi ‘22, Fahme Ibrahim ‘22, Scekem Wells ‘22, Curtis Johnson ‘23, Rhesa Teesdale ‘23, Zykera Steward ‘23
As well as E-Board members during the Fall 2020 semester: Feru Deshong ‘23, Nicollette Phillps ‘23
Nonetheless, the academic year of 2020–2021 was not without its struggles. In an environment with various restrictions, fostering a community with increased engagement physically and virtually came with many challenges. Though, these challenges have made us all stronger whether that be as a resident, community member, or executive board officer.
Right now, we must learn to foster our community in the face of our differences in all aspects of Blackness. We must find a way to greet our fellow neighbor. Perhaps, strike up a conversation even though we may not know each other, but we do so because we are all we got.
To the next E-Board, as our campus changes with students leaving and students coming in, the culture evolves and transforms. With that, we must remain true to our identity and traditions that make us the organization that we are.
In doing so, we would like to announce that we have chosen the new Executive Board who will carry on the continuing initiatives and create some of their own.
President — Curtis Johnson ‘23
Vice President — Shane Seaberry ‘23
Chief Operations Officer — Rennic Liverpool ‘23
Chief Financial Officer — Zykera Steward ‘23
Chief Marketing Officer — Alexandra Douglas ‘23
Media Director — Rhesa Teesdale ‘23
Communications Director — Ajiehume Ceesay ‘24
Partnerships Director — Yan Sosa ‘24
Events Director — Haja Ba ‘24
Mentorships Director — Mouhammed Daho ‘24
Financial Director — Emmanuel Asante ‘23
Their main initiative will be Community + Outreach. At their first General Body meeting, you will hear more about this.
As well, we would like to acknowledge the next cohort of The Johnson House residents during this upcoming year:
Amoy Campbell ‘23, Curtis Johnson ‘23, Rennic Liverpool ‘23, Christopher Ogunbufunmi ‘23, Shane Seaberry ‘23, Madison Spence ‘23, Rhesa Teesdale ‘23, Clemence Umutoni ‘23, Abimbola Akala ‘24, Benjamin Aliker ‘24, Haja Ba ‘24, Ashley Battiata ‘24, Mouhammed Daho ‘24, Caila Lewis ‘24, Ariane Raymond ‘24
The Legacy continues….
Sincerely,