Our Identity, Our Mission, Your Involvement
Our Identity:
The University of Chicago Black Council is a collaborative effort involving the Organization of Black Students (OBS), African and Caribbean Student Association (ACSA), University of Chicago Association of Black Alumni (UCABA), various undergraduate and graduate Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), faculty, staff, and members of the community. The council aims to synergize our existing communities and intersect our efforts into a mobilized network of individuals working towards equity, prosperity, and solidarity between Black UChicagoans and our neighbors in the surrounding communities.
Our Mission:
In efforts to begin synergizing our communities, we launched our first initiative The Black House Campaign at the University of Chicago. The campaign is focused on addressing the lack of a designated affinity space for Black students and community members on campus. Our initiatives consist of two major components:
The Black Conference: This conference facilitates better communication and coordination among Black RSOs and the community. It acts as a unifying platform for Black UChicagoans and South Side community members, advocating for their interests and becoming an active stakeholder in university activities.
The Black House: Our primary goal is to create a dedicated space known as the Black House, providing a non-competitive environment for Black RSOs to host events and activities. The Black House will serve as a hub for Black UChicagoans and community members to foster a community, affinity, and academic excellence.
To achieve our objectives, we are engaging with various stakeholders, including students, faculty, alumni, and community members. Through consistent organization and strategic planning, we aim to build a robust network of support for the Black House Campaign. This past year, the Council was awarded a grant to roll out our two-part “Community Conversation Series: Building Our Temporary Homes” furthering and expanding the dialogue between the parties we serve in efforts to represent our communities interests and needs. Our immediate next steps involve hosting the second annual Black Conference, expanding the Black alumni network, and engaging in constructive dialogue with university administration to gain support for our Black House proposal.
Through the Black House Campaign, we aim to create a transformative space that fosters community, equity, and academic success for Black UChicagoans and the South Side community.
Our Campaign in the Press
Our Story, Our Future, Our House: A Year Into the University of Chicago Black Council
Your Involvement:
We need you to make this possible. Our community scholars, students, employees, and professors— whoever you are, in order to advocate for our communities interests and your own, we need your action, expertise, and knowledge to mobilize Black UChicago toward a University and community that reflects us and our interests. If you are interested in joining our campaigns and initiatives in any capacity; donor, activist, and anyone passionate for a change, we welcome you to complete this form to engage in our efforts.
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