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Daniela Rangel

Black Student Union President Cassia Ramelb laughs at a joke made by a BSU club member during a meeting.

Amidst interactive trivia games, highlighting forgotten historical figures and creating art to display around campus, community is being built in this campus’s first Black Student Union (BSU), and that’s exactly what founder Cassia Ramelb was

after.

“Having a BSU on campus brings recognition, honor and support to the black community and lets black people on campus know that they’re not alone,” Ramelb said. 

Ramelb was first inspired to start a BSU after she heard senior Queen Baskerville suggest it in a campus meeting two years ago. After discussing and getting advice from Birmingham Community Charter High School’s, Ramelb launched the club’s first meeting in October.

Now, DPMHS’s BSU wants to create an outlet where people can simultaneously celebrate their culture and learn more about it. Though it’s relatively new, the BSU has already solidified its status as a vital part of campus life. Members frequent Room 17 every other Tuesday to enjoy and inform themselves.

The BSU also provides a safe space for black students on campus and allows people to feel valid in their identity in its entirety.

“I rarely ever see any black people here, and it makes me feel out of place.” BSU creative director Baskerville said. “I think a lot of black students on campus feel like there isn’t many of us, but with a BSU here we feel unified when we’re together.”

In the future, Ramelb hopes to see it grow from the small club it is right now to become an essential, permanent part of DPMHS campus life.

“I’m hoping this just doesn’t end when I graduate next year,” Ramelb said. “We’re not just a club, we’re here to stay. We have things to do, and we want to make a difference on campus.”