BSO boosts Black community: Black Student Organization offers space for connection, uplifts other Black organizations

In the wake of a busy Black History Month, leaders of the College of William and Mary’s Black Student Organization reflected on how their organization has provided and cultivated an important community for Black students on campus.  

BSO aims to provide a jumping-off point for students who want to find more places on campus to get involved and establish a community. For members and non-members alike, President Elie Bide ’26 hopes that BSO and its events can help educate while also increasing the happiness of students. 

“I feel everyone should be able to come out of every event or interaction feeling happier than they were before, and I want the borders that keep people divided to be erased more and more, as much as we possibly can,” Bide said. 

Tech chair William Henderson ’26 echoed this sentiment. Henderson joined his freshman fall, and his positive experiences with welcoming upperclassmen led to his continued involvement with the organization. He added what he hopes non-members of the organization can gain from BSO events. 

“I think it’s a great space to learn about different members of the community. I think it’s always great to hear about experiences, Black happiness, Black struggle and then everything that comes in between,” Henderson said. 

For students from marginalized backgrounds, especially at a predominantly white institution like the College, organizations like BSO are vital as points of connection. 

“It’s hard to be a student when you don’t see a lot of yourself in the faculty or sometimes in the staff or in administration,” Henderson said. “So it’s a place for you to find that ground to maybe unwind, release, be comfortable and also learn from each other because I think the Black experience is very broad.” 

Outreach coordinator Clarity Johnson ’28 emphasized this sentiment by sharing why she thinks a strong Black community has persisted on campus throughout her time at the College. 

“I think something that has maintained the strength of our community is conversation,” Johnson said. “I always find that the best way to move forward and grow as a group is through communication. If no one knows you have a problem, then how will it be resolved?”

In February, BSO held its annual Sankofa Ball in collaboration with Student Assembly. Despite concerns from SA about funding the event due to low attendance in the past, this year’s gala turned out to be a success with increased attendance from previous years. 

“I think the biggest thing I took away from Sankofa was the power of community,” Johnson said. “Once word got out about funding being cut from Sankofa, members from all the other Black student organizations on campus rallied around the event to prevent the event from being taken away. It was a grand celebration, and I nearly teared up seeing the Black community come together and celebrate.” 

For future iterations, Bide hopes that BSO continues to improve outreach efforts.

“When it comes to looking for ways to bolster attendance, we need to increase our confidence in reaching out to non-Black organizations to help us advertise,” Bide said. 

Henderson agreed, discussing BSO’s openness to collaboration as a way to facilitate increased engagement on campus. 

“We’re always open to collaborate, to host and do things. We’re also one of the largest MCOs on campus, so we have a lot of amazing resources, access to people and access to many members that do want to connect,” Henderson said. 

Beyond Black History Month, BSO keeps its calendar busy with events. The club prioritizes showcasing other Black organizations on campus to its own members and to the greater College community. 

StompFest, the step competition show that BSO hosts with the Divine Nine, the historically Black Greek Life organizations on campus, is one of BSO’s largest events of the year. The show also highlights BSO’s commitment to creating partnerships with other organizations.  

“I think one of the best things that we do as an organization is highlighting other Black orgs,” Henderson said. “And I think it’s always interesting to hear, showcase and let light on that and then collaborate, especially with StompFest. I think that’s one of the coolest events, and we have over 1,000 participants.” 

Despite the many successful events that BSO has hosted and continues to plan, it still shares common obstacles with other multicultural organizations. 

“I think a struggle for any MCO, specifically the BSO, is just the idea of when it is time to open ourselves up to the greater community and when is it time to close it and keep it a safe space,” Henderson said. 

BSO has grown since its founding and will continue to develop with its new generations of membership. Henderson mentioned one recent development for BSO: a shift toward highlighting other Black organizations and individuals on campus for their specific talents.  

“I think facilitation is kind of the direction the Black community is going, and being able to include all different types of people within the diaspora,” Henderson said.

As the halfway point of the spring semester approaches, BSO has more fun events in store for its members and allies. The club continues to encourage all to attend so its community can be an open space for inclusivity. 

Bide said that after the major events of Sankofa and StompFest in the spring, BSO hosts more spontaneous get-togethers and casual favorites like their end-of-year cookout. 

“That’s honestly what I really love: the sort of events that just practically appear out of thin air for us to put on,” Bide said.

To keep up with BSO and its upcoming events, make sure to check out its Instagram, @wmbso.