On February 7, the Black Student Union (BSU) held the third annual BSU Social. Students from across the Chicagoland area came to Parker for a “space for people to express themselves, where they do not have to restrict themselves or code switch, and where they can be themselves and fully embrace their culture,” junior and BSU co-head Jordan Drisdell said.
The idea for the BSU Social first came about four years ago. Parker alum and then-junior Audrey Hunter, fellow BSU Heads, and faculty advisors organized it for the following February, during Black History Month. Since then, BSU has hosted three Socials. Schools such as St. Ignatius, Lake Forest Academy, and Jones College Prep were all in attendance, totalling 140 students this year. “We found the schools and who their adult is. Mr. Carlsson and I created the letter and sent the letter to their schools,” BSU faculty advisor and Upper School Coordinator Rolanda Shepard said. “The student leaders were responsible for social media. The adult sponsors and chaperones were then responsible for registering students.”
The event began with an hour-long discussion, where attendees discussed “their experience within predominantly white institutions,” junior and BSU co-head Trisen Phillips said, and the “greatness of being a Black student at a predominantly white institution,” senior and BSU co-head Hudson Davis said. Overall, the discussion was a space where “[students] basically talk about the Black experience. Our accomplishments, what we feel may be holding us back, how we celebrate ourselves, how we celebrate our culture, and how we love one another,” Drisdell said. Attendees were able to network, break out, and meet other students from across the city. After the first hour, students transitioned into the dance portion.
“It’s like a home. It feels like cousins that you don’t necessarily see all the time getting together,” Shepard said. The dance in the Draft Gym included a DJ and professional photographer Ceniye. “I think the main word is joyful,” BSU faculty advisor and Upper School math teacher Sven Carlsson said. During the dance, attendees connected further with students who they may not have met without the social. A highlight for sophomore and BSU co-head Grace Hatley was “interacting with and learning about new people,” Hatley said. For senior and BSU co-head Paige Randell, connection was also a highlight. “We became connected with students as other students and not as leaders.” Drisdell, before coming to Parker, attended the BSU Social his freshman year. “I made a lot of friends and it gave me the opportunity to meet other Black students from Parker and build a sense of community before I made the transition to the school,” Drisdell said.
On Friday, February 27, BSU presented a snippet of the impact from the BSU Social at MX. “We have 40 Black-identifying students in the Upper School here,” Shepard said. “When you go to the BSU Social and you have almost 200 Black students, that feels different than when you’re one of two or three in a classroom.” Parker students can expect to see a fourth next year. From Lake Forest Academy to Oak Park River Forest, the BSU Social is “a testament to how powerful our voice is,” Drisdell said.
