Volume 1, Issue 2 A Publication of the Texas A&M African-American Professional Organization

February 2005 Black History Double Issue AAPO n Point

Black History: One Historian’s Perspective-Dr. Albert S. Broussard “...race remains a pri- mary and defining event I am an optimist by nature, and struck by the number of cases in annual celebration of Black His- in the lives of millions of the year 2004 gave me many the past year where juries have tory Month, which began in reasons to be hopeful: the U.S. found companies liable for race- 1926 as Negro History Week, I , and it Supreme Court decision in June based discrimination. “2 Win take great comfort in the fact informs, to some degree, that upheld the use of race as a $2.6 Million Each in Bias Suit,” that despite the persistence of factor in college admissions; the reported the Washington Post on class and racial inequality in our how people across the upswing in African American and December 22. This unremark- society, African Americans, racial divide continue to Hispanic freshmen enrollment at able case, which was decided by much like yourselves, rather Texas A&M following a seven- a majority-white federal jury in than dwelling on the past, are relate to each other. “ year decline; the leadership of Alexandria, Virginia, involved two busy raising families, educating Mell and Willie Pruitt in spear- African American sanitation your children, laboring to ad- heading the construction of the workers who had been system- vance your careers and profes- Brazos Valley African American atically harassed and discrimi- sions, and volunteering in count- Museum; the large number of nated against since the mid- less ways to make this a Inside this issue: African Americans who regis- 1990s. The supervisors and co- stronger community. That is tered to vote in the recent presi- workers of these men consis- what we should celebrate in AAPO Retreat Recap 2 dential election; the sharp de- tently used racial slurs, racial 2005 and pass on to our chil- clines in violent crime in numer- epithets, and demeaning lan- dren. On Board With... 2 ous inner-city black communities guage when addressing both across the nation; and the elec- African American garbage men tion of to the U.S. and black women, on occasion Diversity at Texas A&M 3 Senate by a landslide over the even making comparisons to black conservative Alan Keyes. animals. The Washington Post The Real World History of Picnic 3 These disparate events illustrate reported that this is the largest that race remains a primary and racial discrimination case won defining event in the lives of by individuals in Virginia history Evans & Cushing Black History 4 millions of African Americans, and one of the larger discrimina- Resources and it informs, to some degree, tion verdicts nationwide. 2004: The Year in Review 5 how people across the racial divide continue to relate to each What gives me hope is that other. I have been reminded of this kind of behavior, although CommUnity Beat 6 this in the past month as I pre- still practiced, is no longer pare to teach a course on the widely tolerated, and that Afri- can Americans, as well as CommUnity Beat continues 7 civil rights movement and its legacy at the University of Kan- women, now have the means to sas in the Spring. Perusing na- legal redress and monetary set- Dr. Broussard “Do you know?” Answers 7 tional newspapers, I have been tlements. So as we approach the

BGSA Spring Update 8 Upcoming Events AAPO On Point Newsletter Staff ♦ February 3 AAPO General Body Meeting @ 11:30 a.m., Rudder 510

♦ February 4 AAPO First Friday Lecture Series featuring Dr. Karen Butler-Purry @ 12:00, MSC 292

Issue Editor - Rebecca Hankins ♦ February 10 Life of the Buffalo Soldiers @ 10:30 a.m., Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

Writer - Dr. Karen Butler-Purry ♦ February 19 Community Calendar Planning Meeting - 11:30 a.m. , North Bryan Community Center

Writer - Kassandra Agee-Letton ♦ March 9 Winston-Salem State University Choir @7:00 p.m., George Bush Library & Museum

Layout Specialist - Marla Richardson ♦ March 16 47th Annual Ebony Fair @ 8:00 p.m., Bryan Civic Auditorium For more events check out the CommUnity Calendar on the web at aapo.tamu.edu. Page 2

AAPO Retreat Recap - Dr. Karen Butler-Purry recruitment of black faculty and short term. The group agreed The African–American Profes- staff. A major issue expressed that a major short term goal is sional Organization (AAPO) Re- is the need for greater active to solicit the active participation treat was held January 8, 2005 participation of the member- of AAPO’s members. The identi- with the theme, “Rebuild, Refo- ship. fied objectives include: cus, Revive.” Ten AAPO mem- bers reflected, fellowshipped, Next, the group enthusiastically ♦ Update the organizational and ardently worked collectively discussed their personal needs identity and purpose. to chart the future of AAPO. as well as group needs from AAPO, with emphasis around ♦ Reinitiate Habari Gani, Dr. LaVerne Young-Hawkins brainstorming The morning session was facili- at the retreat the question, “Where do we welcome packets for newly tated by Shontarius Aikens of want to go?” A common need hired faculty and staff. the TAMU Department of Stu- articulated by the group was for dent Activities. Initially the AAPO to be an organization ♦ Actively participate as an group spent an hour individu- which provides bold leadership organization in the devel- ally, as well as in group reflec- on issues of relevance to black opment of the University “A major issue tion on the question, “Where staff, faculty, and students. The Diversity Plan. are we now? -- Strengths and group also expressed the need expressed is the need Issues.” Thanks to the planning efforts for AAPO to continue to serve of Natasha Croom and great for greater active Major strengths commonly social needs. input from all, the retreat par- participation of the identified include the diversity After a brief lunch, the group ticipants left rejuvenated and of AAPO membership (faculty, was asked to identify issues encouraged about the future membership.” staff, community), as well as AAPO should focus on in the direction of AAPO. active AAPO involvement in the

On Board With...

Rebecca Hankins Hispanic and Asian subject Health and Kinesiology at Recording Secretary areas. Her research areas of Texas A&M University. He is Rebecca has been an active interest include the civil rights also director of the newly member of AAPO since she movement and Black activist formed Texas A&M University arrived on campus a year ago; journalists. Center for the Study of Health Disparities. Before coming to she also serves as AAPO’s Rebecca is currently learning webmaster. She is assistant Texas A&M University, Dr. to speak Arabic and reading Green was an associate pro- professor for area studies in more historical Islamic texts. Texas A&M University's Cush- fessor with the University of Her leisure time is spent pri- Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. ing Memorial Library. Ms. marily with her family watching Hankins earned degrees from Green's research interests Jane Austen movies and for- focus on health promotion and Louisiana State University and eign films. Loyola University. Her previ- disease prevention in the Afri- ous employment includes can American community and cancer prevention and control. twelve years at The Amistad Research Center at Tulane Dr. Green received his PhD Rebecca Hankins, University in New Orleans, the from the University of Ala- Recording Secretary premier research repository bama and the University of

on African American historical Alabama at Birmingham. documentation, and two years When Dr. Green is not work- as assistant librarian at the ing on campus, he’s busy spending time with his wife of University of Arizona Library, Special Collection, in Tucson. 17 years, Sheila, and their In her duties at Cushing Me- children seven year old morial Library, Ms. Hankins Dr. B. Lee Green Kamaria and six year old Lee builds collections and schol- Faculty Member-at-Large III or coaching his youth bas- ketball team. If he finds a few arly resources for the study of Dr. Green is an associate pro- spare moments, he’s is African and African American fessor in the College of Edu- probably “teeing up” on the history and culture and in- cation and Human Develop- golf greens. creases library holdings in ment in the Department of Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3

Diversity At Texas A&M - Dr. James Anderson On November 19, 2004, the ity Recruitment Leadership The Diversity Plan will represent Office of Institutional Assess- Team a formal planning document ment and Diversity was created that compliments other major at Texas A&M University and Dr. ♦ Support of diverse learn- strategic initiatives at TAMU. It James A. Anderson assumed ing communities will contain long-term and short- the position of Vice President ♦ Participation in the state- term goals and objectives and and Associate Provost. The an action plan. During its devel- wide Texas Diversity Coun- office has taken an active role opment input and feedback will cil in organizing, supporting and be elicited from campus groups, leading campus diversity initia- ♦ Supporting diversity pro- like AAPO who will serve as tives. A major goal of the office grams for residence halls consulting organizations. More Dr. James A. Anderson is to provide evidence for the and student organizations - specific information about rich diversity and areas of excel- AAPO’s role with the diversity lence that currently exist at ♦ Support and evaluation of plan will be available this the 2004 Texas A&M His- Texas A&M, as well as the im- month. “The Diversity pact of new diversity initiatives panic Network The Diversity Advisory Commit- embodied in Vision 2020. Evi- Plan will represent ♦ Development of a TAMU tee will also establish several dence of student learning and Diversity Website working subgroups: student a formal planning development has and will sup- http://diversity.tamu.edu outreach, faculty/staff recruit- port the university’s conceptual document that ment, campus environment, frame work of diversity. compliments other ♦ And most important – the diversity newsletter, Texas Di- Among the programs that the development of a Diversity versity Council and a Web/IT major strategic office has either organized or Advisory Committee that group. initiatives at supported are: will develop a Diversity Plan for the university. I Wanda J. Watson is the AAPO TAMU.” ♦ Reorganization of Race have asked Dr. Robert H. representative on the Diversity and Ethnic Studies Insti- Strawser, Professor of Ac- Advisory Committee. tute counting in the Mays Busi- ness School, to Chair the ♦ Participation in the Faculty committee. Currently, 45 Reinvestment Plan programs and departments ♦ Participation on the Minor- are represented on the committee.

The Real Word History of “Picnic” - Rebecca Hankins

Should We Take Offense or as lynching party for blacks in delicacies chosen for the out- Take Our Lunch? the American South, originally ing. Nique is a nonsense sylla- deriving from the phrase “pick a ble chosen to rhyme. The word At an AAPO meeting last year nigger”. This is absolutely incor- appears in English as early as an exchange took place over rect. The word's origins have no 1748 in reference to picnics in the use of the word “picnic.” As racial overtones whatsoever. Germany. The word did not gain a result of the discussion a widespread use in Britain until member decided to inquire into In actuality, the word derives c. 1800. the history of the word. The from the French pique-nique, following is the result of her meaning the same thing as it Published with permission from inquiry. does in English--an outing that Melanie and Mike’s Take Our includes food. Pique is either a Word For It at: Picnic Internet lore (and per- reference to a leisurely style of haps folklore prior to the inter- eating (as in "pick at your food") http://www.takeourword.com/ net) has the origin of this word or it's a reference to selective et_n-p.html#picnic. Page 4

Evans and Cushing Libraries Supporting Black History Month (library.tamu.edu)

Black History Month is a wonderful time to reflect on the tri- ♦ This Far By Faith : African American Spiritual Journey umphs, contributions, and struggles of people of African de- scent in the United States. From the Middle Passage to the ♦ Microfilm Collections: (Microfilm is located in Current present, African Americans have a history that reaches beyond Periodicals on the 2nd floor of Evans Library) the American shores. Thanks to the efforts of Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month reminds Americans that African ♦ African American culture and history: the L.S. Alexander Americans are worth celebrating. Evans Library would like to Gumby Collection of Negroiana : from the holdings of the take this opportunity to assist in your exploration of Black Rare Book & Manuscript Library of Columbia University in History. The library has over 600 films and over 9,000 titles the city of New York and subject guides that document the African American ex- perience. The following provides a sample of the offerings. ♦ Black Panther Documents (The Huey P. Newton ♦ Foundation Records).

Videos/ DVD: (All videos are held in reserve the Educational ♦ FBI Files on : Media Services 4th floor Library Annex) ♦ Martin Luther King, Jr. FBI File A. Philip Randolph : for jobs & freedom ♦ ♦ Mary McLeod Bethune Papers, 1923-1942 Black History: lost, stolen or strayed? ♦ ♦ Papers of the NAACP (Partial holdings) Black Panther; San Francisco State, on strike 1998 ♦ ♦ Papers of W.E.B. DuBois ♦ Eyes on the Prize For more information contact: ♦ I’ll Make Me A World ♦ Rise and Fall of Jim Crow Carmelita Pickett ♦ Ship of slaves : the middle passage ([email protected])

The use of primary source material for the study and research Colonel Dorris A Hanes Papers of African-American history provides a unique opportunity to view history from the words and works of actual participants Primarily photographic collection of a military supply ware- rather than through the lens of interpretations. Cushing Li- house in England during WWII. Photographs of Black military brary, through its Africana collections, provides you numerous personnel meeting with Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt. opportunities to hear, touch, feel, and experience Black his- Clyde McQueen Papers tory. These diverse offerings provide an understanding that will leave a permanent imprint on your soul. A few are de- The papers are the research collection McQueen built and scribed here for your reference. used to write Black Churches in Texas. A Guide to Historic Congregations (Texas A&M University Press, 2000). The col- African-American Professional Organization Records (AAPO) lection contains Texas county maps; color slides, photographs, Collection contains records of the minutes, meetings, activi- and negatives of church cornerstones, existing church build- ties of this advocacy organization founded on the campus of ings, Texas Historical Markers, and congregation members; Texas A&M University to promote and support African Ameri- photocopies of newspaper clippings covering African American religious issues; manuscript drafts many of which are heavily can staff, faculty, administration and students. annotated. Imamu Amiri Baraka Collection Oral Histories Poet, novelist, writer, activist, and advocate of black culture and political power, this is a collection developed by the cura- Slave Narratives tor. The collection consists of many of Mr. Baraka’s rare and During the 1930s, the federal government commissioned popular writings. The collection contains over 50 items high- interviewing former slaves. It was a project of the Works Pro- lighting Baraka’s long career and varied activities and includes gress Administration. books, poems on postcards, limited edition printed articles, Vietnam Generation books, and multiple copies of his writings in various publica- The interviews concern a number of issues: civil rights, anti- tions. war movement, women's liberation, student demonstrations Guadalupe Baptist Association\Guadalupe College\William and protests. For Vietnam topics also consult Military History. Most interviews have been transcribed and all are open. Taylor Papers

The collection documents the life of Reverend William M Tay- For more information contact : lor, his educational and religious activities in various cities in Texas. Materials also chart the history of the Guadalupe Bap- Rebecca Hankins tist Association, Guadalupe College, and its impact on the ([email protected]) African American community in Texas. Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 5

2004 : The Year In Review from the AAPO Photo Gallery @aapo.tamu.edu

Student National Medical Association presentation by Dr. B .Lee Green with Dr. La Verne Young-Hawkins and kids Brazos Valley Association of Educators Annual 8th Grade Graduation and Awards Ceremony “From Lectures to Pageants, Banquets to Receptions, the Brazos Valley Community had an exciting and busy year.”

Concerned Black Men Scholarship Banquet NAACP Scholarship Banquet speaker Carey Cauley, Jr.

AAPO New Faculty & Staff Regents Scholars Reception Reception Dr. Ilya Hicks greets scholar and her mother RESI: People of Color and The Color of Politics in Texas

AKA Precious Pearls Pageant Bethune Woman’s Club Holiday Gala Debutantes and Escorts Page 6

CommUnity Beat—Civil Rights Pioneer Inspires Brazos Valley Youth - Rev. Kris Erskine

On October 27, 2004, the American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, Tennessee. Brazos Valley was blessed From 1963 to 1966, John Lewis was the chairman of the Student to have Representative Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which helped organ- John Lewis grace us with ize. They were responsible for sit-ins and other college student his presence at Shiloh Bap- activities, for the Civil Rights struggle. tist Church in Bryan. Rep. Sarah Nichols, age 16 Lewis shared some impor- tant information from his personal experiences that He became on of the six leaders of the Civil Rights movement and left the audience capti- chairman of SNCC. He was inspired by and Martin vated and moved with com- Luther King Jr. passion about the past and Timothy Broadus, age 10 present struggles that Afri- can Africans have and con- John Lewis, along with many others, faced the challenges head on tinue to encounter in the and paved the way. The only reason these sacrifices were made pursuit of freedom. After was to make a better America for us. They wanted us to have the event, we challenged greater opportunities than were afforded to them when they were the youth to submit es- Rep. John Lewis addresses crowd growing up. says based on his speech Michael Steadman, age 17 and follow-up research on his life. As we embark upon this month’s Black History celebration, we offer excerpts from some of these essays, in addition to the award winning essay by Julian

Letton.

John Lewis and the members of the civil rights movement must not be forgotten…. They just wanted the right to vote. John Lewis has been beaten, kicked, spat on and arrested 4o times. He has kept his eye on the prize. I will too. We shall overcome. D’Nisha Broadus, age 9—grade school winner

As he walked up to the stand, his words were, “Dr. King would be happy to see this beautiful crowd of people (of many races). John Lewis’ courageous acts, along with Dr. Kings, changed the nation forever. Rep. John Lewis greets youth from audience Ebonee Hughes, age 13

In 1997 John Lewis was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to "Civil Rights opened the windows. When you open the windows, it direct more than 250,000 volunteers of ACTION, the federal does not mean that everybody will get through. We must create our volunteer agency. His first electoral success came in 1981 when own opportunities." he was elected to the Atlanta, GA city council. Mary Frances Berry K. Noel Letton, age 11 The Civil Rights Movement produced many veracious leaders that One of the greatest heroes I know is Congressman John Lewis. fought social injustices and sought to ensure the rights of all peo- He and many African Americans paved the way for black people ple. John Lewis, a congressman and civil rights veteran and pio- to exercise their rights in everyday life, by standing up for what neer, is one of those leaders who continues his fight to this day. he believed was right. He looked out for the good of his people Overcoming economic disadvantages, he managed to prove him- and practiced the method of non-violence to do what he needed self a strong leader with unparalleled perseverance. Lewis’s mes- to do. That’s why he was successful. sage is one of modern activism, relying on empirical examples and powerful vision of the future to motivate modern black populations Brandon Nichols, age 12 to political change. John Lewis is leading the way for the African- John R. Lewis came to speak on behalf of the “Get Our and Vote American community to create our own opportunities through po- Rally” on October 26th 2004! He came with Congressman Chet litical action, specifically voting. This passion for overcoming injus- Edwards to get all people out to vote. John Lewis is currently tice and creating change comes from past experience that has Congressman of Georgia. made Lewis the man he is today: a man of integrity who has fought to get where he is today. Darius Alexander, age 13 John Lewis is a courageous fighter and survivor. In 1961, at the Congressman John Lewis earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Relig- mere age of 16, John Lewis decided that he was going to volunteer ion and Philosophy from Fisk University, and graduated from the for the Freedom Rides in Alabama. Faced with hosings, beatings, Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 7

referring to the ideologies that were applied to the sit-ins com- monly carried out through the South. There has always been a AAPO Celebrates war being waged against racism, and John Lewis is at the fore- front, fighting, and creating opportunities in the open window Black History of civil rights.

Don’t let the subtle calmness and approachability of John Lewis skew your view of the type of man he is. He has been through more in one lifetime than most combined, yet still and spitting, Lewis proved himself to be patient and strong at a manages to find a cause to fight for. His sense of humor and young age. By 1963, Lewis became the leader of the Student Non- ability to brings smiles to anyone’s face is an achievement in violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), an organization featuring and of itself considering the violence and beatings that he has young people from around the country united in their fight for civil been forced to experience. John Lewis is a man who has real- rights. The type of opposition Lewis faced was the terrorism of the ized and harnessed the opportunities that not only democracy, 1960s. He was shot at, spit on, beaten, hosed, threatened by the but the Civil Rights Movement itself, bring to us all. He has a KKK, and more. Death was not something that fazed Lewis, for he message for the African-American community and powerful came too close to it. In light of the atrocities that he faced on a daily goals that can be attained. The question is, will we seize the basis, Lewis continued to ask the question why? “Why segregation, opportunity? limitations and oppression?” He did this not only to challenge the ideologies of the white masses, but to pose a stimulating challenge Julian C. Letton, age 16 to African-American apathy, a plague which has grown in recent years. John Lewis, because of what he has survived, is a modern soldier; a survivor of the never ending war against racial terror. A “Do You Know” Answers*... passion for unchallenged freedom drove Lewis to stand death in the face again and again.

As he became older, Lewis developed a keen ability to organize and diplomatically negotiate the elements of the emerging civil rights movement. In 1963, Lewis worked as one of the main organizers of the March on Washington, one of the most influential events in the history of African Americans. Experiencing the bounds of American society and also knowing well the exhilarating feeling of freedom, Lewis realized the power of the American vote. In 1964, Lewis ,along with his organization: SNCC, pushed a campaign to organize voter registration and activism initiatives in the black com- munity. Dr. Roscoe W. Lewis Frederick D. McClure ('76) He had lived through oppression and limited liberty and had an in- (1920-1988) Student Body President, 1976- suppressible distaste for the ignorance that the current American Professor, Biochemistry and 77 political system supported. As his passions mounted, Lewis became Biophysics, 1970-84 Board of Regents, 1995-2001 part of one the most intense events in civil rights history. When he Lewis became the first African- and 600 others marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in In April of 1976, McClure, a junior Selma, the police told them to turn around or jump. Faced with two American professor in the his- agricultural economics major, was limiting options, Lewis knew there must have been another way and tory of Texas A&M University elected the student body president of decided to walk forward on the bridge. The police opened a blitz on when he was hired in Septem- A&M. He became the first African- the young activists and created the bloodshed that became known ber 1970. An accomplished American to hold the top student- as “Bloody Sunday.” Eventually, this event would aide in the passing teacher and researcher, he was elected position, leading the way for of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. awarded the prestigious Distin- other minorities to follow. He consid- guished Achievement Award in ers his decision to attend A&M "one In his speech, Lewis stressed that we must vote at all costs. Despite Teaching in 1977 by the Asso- of, if not the best, decisions I’ve the calming rolls of his Alabama – tinged dialect, there was a sense made in my entire life." of urgency in every word he said. After he explained everything that ciation of Former Students. In 1995, he was appointed to the he alone had been through to ensure our right to vote, I felt dis- Upon his retirement in 1984, Texas A&M University System Board gusted with modern populations. What ignorance has plagued our Lewis was accorded the rank of community to the point where voting becomes void of purpose? of Regents, becoming the second Professor Emeritus by the Although the blatant racism and oppression of past years has been African-American to hold that posi- Board of Regents, the first Afri- successfully diluted, there still remains a modern ignorance of and tion. He also served as vice chair- can-American to be so honored. apathy towards African-Americans as voters that has inevitably man of the board. shaped the patterns of modern policy making. Lewis has seen what

the power of black votes can do, because he is now a congressman from Georgia. What will happen when the John Lewis of the baby- boom generation is gone? Will there be no passion to fight against ∗ Excerpted from “In Fulfillment of a Dream-African-Americans injustice? If the African-American community does not vote, then at Texas A&M University,” Cushing Library Exhibit on the yes. In his speech, Lewis asserted that it is time to “get in the way”, history of African Americans at Texas A&M History of AAPO In 1992, a number of African-American professionals realized AAPO n Point the need to organize as a formal group to more effectively par- ticipate in the political, cultural and professional aspects of life at Texas A&M and in the local community. A Publication of the Texas A&M Mission and Purpose African-American Professional Organization In the spirit of Texas A&M’s commitment to diversity, AAPO strives to provide leadership, guidance, and support for the PO Box 13148 University’s recruitment and retention efforts and the develop- College Station, TX 77841-3148 ment of its education program. AAPO provides the mechanism Email to: [email protected] through which African Americans are fully recognized as con- tributing members of Texas A&M. Moreover, AAPO strives to “Where there is unity, there is strength” provide a forum by which critical issues are identified and pre- sented to the Texas A&M University community. We’re on the Web! Goals aapo.tamu.edu The goal of AAPO is to assist in recruiting, improving the qual- ity of life, and retaining African Americans on the campus of Texas A&M University and in the local community.

Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) Spring Update - Natasha Croom them in the library and library annex. The committee is also work- It’s the second Friday of the month, and the excitement is building. ing on trying to create small academic communities within the or- We all know that Friday is exciting anyway. The thought of possibly ganization by starting an article archive and facilitating small group not having to go into the office this weekend is undeniably thrilling. discussions with individuals from similar disciplines. But wait, there’s something else… there’s a BGSA meeting tonight and you don’t want to miss it! At the last meeting you met some- The Undergraduate Seminar committee, chaired by Leslie Grinage, one new, who knows who you will meet tonight. That thought is is currently planning the details for their event, a seminar targeted at undergraduate students with the intent of education and enlight- exciting... enment of our students. This year the event may be co-sponsored With active members from around the country and across disci- with the TAMU chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The event plines— friends, fellowship, networking, information, and of course is planned for late February or early March. food, make for a successful combination for a little over 30 gradu- One of the more active committees thus far is the Social Action ate students attending each monthly meeting. committee chaired by Melanie Kirk, both an AAPO and BGSA mem- The TAMU Black Graduate Students’ Association is going strong ber. This committee worked hard to design a protocol/process for and entering this Spring semester with a number of great initiatives addressing social issues in our campus with more to come. With seven active committees, the BGSA was community as well as our surrounding com- able to complete a number of tasks begun in earlier years. munity. We have addressed issues ranging from discrimination at com- The National Affairs committee chaired by Jacqueline McDowell is munity establishments to insensitivi- currently involved in affiliating the TAMU BGSA with the National ties perceived by prospective gradu- Black Graduate Students’ Association (NBGSA). Our intentions are ate students in academic depart- to become an affiliate, with hopes of hosting the national confer- ments. ence in the future. This is one of the efforts the BGSA is making to assist the University in recruiting students to its programs. We also The Undergraduate Awards commit- feel that our mission parallels these three objectives of the NBGSA: tee, co-chaired by Lesley-Ann Brown and Tia Crawford, is also in full swing. The committee has been busy orga- ♦ “Increasing the number of graduate and professional students nizing an awards banquet for April with the Woodson Black Aware- of African descent by encouraging undergraduates to pursue ness Committee, a group of dedicated African-American under- graduate and professional degrees, graduates committed to education and professionalism, as well as AAPO. The committee is also looking into purchasing kente stoles ♦ Providing resources that will enhance the likelihood of aca- for each graduating African-American undergraduate student with demic and career success of current graduate and profes- graduate school admissions qualifications. sional students, and With a new semester upon us, we are back in the swing of things. ♦ Developing a network of emerging scholars of African descent Executives are meeting and members are preparing for the first who are dedicated and sensitive to the needs and concerns of meeting of the semester, as well as the paintball trip planned for an increasingly diverse academic commu- next weekend. Our administrative officer is working to get out our nity” (www.NBGSA.org). 5th newsletter and the membership is continually striving for repre- The Academic Affairs committee, chaired by Karlen Moore, has sentation on the TAMU Graduate Student Council. The semester is also been active. Last semester the committee ensured that dur- sure to be interesting. Our first meeting is set for February 11 in ing major exam times, such as finals, the BGSA had space avail- the Student Counseling Services Center (Henderson Hall) at 5:30 pm.