February 2026 marks 100 years of celebrating Black History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the achievements, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history. As the anniversary is observed this year, the importance of honoring Black history feels more significant than ever, especially in today’s social and cultural climate. Here at UW–Stout, much of this celebration is led by the Black Student Union (BSU), whose events focus on bringing students together to learn, reflect, and connect.
Although BSU has been a part of UW–Stout since the early 1990s, there are still many students who don’t know much about it. BSU is a student-led group that works to build community among Black students while also educating the larger campus about Black culture and experiences. “Black Student Union is a safe space created for Black students to converse, connect, and educate our peers on the importance of being Black,” said BSU Vice President Verniyah Gammons.
Through weekly meetings, discussions, and events, BSU provides a space where students can feel supported while also inviting others to learn and engage. Current member Jaydon Tshibanda, a first-year psychology student, explains why he finds BSU so important, saying that it’s necessary for students “to have that community aspect with other people of color.”
While BSU focuses on supporting Black students, the organization is open to everyone and encourages all students to attend the meetings. Right now, the group has around 30 members, but Vice President Gammons hopes to see “a significant amount of growth in the diversity of students that make up our organization.” By encouraging involvement from students of all backgrounds, BSU continues to strengthen its impact across campus.
This Black History Month, BSU has hosted several creative events to get students involved. One recent event focused on Black artists and their contributions to American art, where members were invited to create their own canvas paintings. These artworks will be displayed near Stoutfitters in the Memorial Student Center. On Thursday, the 19th, BSU also hosted their Skate and Groove event at the Skate Ranch in Menomonie, which brought Stout students together for a night of skating, music, and fun.
As we celebrate the centennial anniversary of Black History Month, we should think about the groups in the past who have gotten us to where we are today, as well as the organizations of the future. BSU’s work at UW-Stout shows how powerful student-led organizations can be in building community and creating meaningful conversations. Through their events, BSU continues to make campus a more welcoming and inclusive place. Students interested in learning more or getting involved are encouraged to attend the meetings on Thursdays at 6pm, follow along on social media, or stop by one of their upcoming events.
