By Nevaeh Destynee Burkes
Staff Writer
After more than a year of inactivity, Wingate University’s Black Student Union (BSU) has returned to campus, led by sophomore Aidan Hinton and an executive board determined to rebuild the organization.
For Hinton, the idea to bring BSU back began with a simple observation. While reading through Dr. Marshall’s syllabus, which included a list of student resources and organizations, Hinton noticed that BSU was absent.
“I felt like I had to do something,” Hinton said.
Hinton’s first step was reaching out to Dr. Turner-Henderson to learn what had happened to the organization and what would be required to restart it. From there, Hinton and the executive board began working to generate interest and reconnect students with an organization that had previously been an active part of campus life.
One of their biggest challenges was getting students interested in BSU in the middle of the semester. Rather than relying solely on formal advertising, the group turned to word-of-mouth and direct outreach.
Black Student Union, also tabled during What’s Up Wednesday toward the end of February, giving members an opportunity to speak with students and spread the word about BSU’s return.
The organization’s history at Wingate also helped generate interest. Upperclassmen and faculty who remembered BSU from previous years were willing to support the effort and contribute to its revival.
“People already had fond memories of BSU,” Hinton said. “Lots of upperclassmen and faculty members were very willing to help and be a part of the process.”
Behind the scenes, the executive board and Hinton’s friends played an important role in rebuilding the organization. From brainstorming and planning events to speaking with students and faculty, Hinton said the process was a collaborative effort.
“Bringing BSU back would not have been possible without everyone’s help,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Hinton said he never seriously considered that the effort would fail. The executive board’s commitment to the organization kept the group moving forward.
Now that BSU is active again, Hinton’s focus has shifted toward what comes next. He hopes to build consistent engagement and establish BSU as a source of community and support for Black students on campus.
“My main thing that I want Black students to gain from being a part of BSU is community,” Hinton said.
Hinton also hopes BSU can serve the broader Wingate community by creating opportunities for students to learn about and celebrate Black culture and the experiences of their Black peers.
As the organization continues to grow, Hinton said BSU’s goals can be summed up by three words: Safety, Education and Celebration.
Those three pillars, he said, represent what he wants students to experience at every BSU event.
With BSU officially back, Hinton and the executive board are looking toward the future. Growing membership, creating consistent engagement and finding new ways to give back to the Wingate community.
