http://digital.lib.buffalo.edu/upimage/RG9-5-1366_1_2_001.pdf

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Part of The Black Grapevine, September 6, 2006

Text

• Talented Tenth

Volume I, Issue I

• Presidential Welcome

September 6, 2006

• B.S.U.'sHistory
• B.S.U.'s
Events

A Plea to the Talented Tenth
In September 1903 W.E.B. Du
Bois, African American historian and
sociologist, advocated the
concept of the Talented
Tenth.
This theory
emphasized the necessity for
higher education in order to
develop leadership among
the most able ten percent of
Black
Americans .
According to Du Bois, "The
Negro race, like all races, is
going to be saved by its
exceptional men" (Du Bois: 1903).

elevated the mass . . ." (Du Bois: 1903). He
also posed the question: "Can the masses
of the Negro people be in any
possible way more quickly raised
than by the effort and example this
aristocracy of talent and
character" (Du Bois: 1903)? He
states that it is necessary for the
"college-bred Negro" to be the
leader of the group as the Negro
people need social leadership more
than most groups as they have lack
traditions, established customs and
strong family ties to fall back upon.

In supporting this claim, he
pointed out that "From the very first it
has been the educated and intelligent
of the Negro people that have led and

Do you think that today's "Talented
Tenth" are living up to Du Bois'
expectations?

Presidential Welcome
Hotep! (Hello) Members of
the Black Student Union,
On behalf of the Executive
Board of the Black Student
Union, I would like to welcome
the Class of 2010 and returning
members. The Executive Board's
rruss10n is to facilitate an
uplifting and enjoyable university
experience for our members.
The Black Student Union (BSU)
has been a major contributor to
my
memorable
and
advantageous university
experience. Throughout my
journey with the Black Student
Union as a past President and
Undergraduate Advisor, I have
gained a tremendous amount of
knowledge to continue the
elevation of the Black Student
Union.
As the Black Student Union

prepares to celebrate 40 years of
existence, the continued dedication
of BSU's members is needed to
keep our organization in the
respectable position as one of the
university's most established
student groups. Our theme for
2006-2007 is: The Awakening. The
Executive Board is dedicated to
revitalizing the lost consciousness
of our generation's community
problems. Becoming an ACTIVE
member of the Black Student
Union is not only an important
aspect of your universit y
experience but a commitment to
uplifting the African-American
community.

The Black Student Union
Conference, B.L.A.C.K. D.A.Y.,
Health Fairs, Black E xplosion,
Women's Appreciation Dinner,
and Men's Appreciation Dinner. I
urge you to become apart of the
ever-changing Black Student Union
by becoming an active member on
a committee. If you have any
questions, concerns or suggestions,
feel free to call us at 716-645-3029
or email us at bsu1967@gmail.com,
walk-ins are welcome at our office
at 307 Student Union. You can also
v1s1t our website at http: //
buffalo.edu/ sa/ bsu. Good luck
with classes!

To continue our successful
path, we have an array of meeting
topics, the Sickle Cell Charity
Auction, Black Solidarity Week,
Harlem Night, The Black Affair,

Simone Hicks

Sincerely,
President

THE GRAPEVINE

Page 2

Do You Know B.S.U.?
The Black Student Union (B.S.U.) was established in
1967 and was made an official student organization in 1968.
Within a year of its formation, the University at Buffalo's

Membership Requirements
In order to obtain membership in the
Black Student Union, one must either be
a part-time or full-time undergraduate or
graduate student, an alumni or a member
of the faculty. In addition, one must also
have attended five general or committee
meetings per semester.

first club for people of color counted one thousand members.
In the first few years of its existence, the Black Student
Union made its mark on the Buffalo community through a
breakfast program that began by catering to 130 pupils at the
Westminster House in October of 1969 and continued doing
so for several years that followed. Shortly after, in 1972, five

B.S.U. Activities
Welcome Back BBQ:

9/3/2006

demands were submitted to the university's president at the
time, President Ketter, requiring the creation of a Black

1st General Meeting 9/6/2006

Studies department, the reappointment and guaranteed
permanency until retirement of two Black faculty members,

Sickle Cell Charity Auction: 9/30/06

the involvement of minority faculty members in the tenure
review of other minority faculty, ongoing dialogue between

Skating Jam: 10/14/2006

minority students and faculty and the academic departments
on minority issues as well as communication between the

Black Solidarity

Week: 11/6-10/2006

president's office and the Black contingency.
Given that the Union was founded during a time of

The Black Affair: Mr. & Mrs. Black Student
Union: 12/1/2006

turmoil for Blacks in America as well as Blacks worldwide,
the main aim was to unite the university's Black community

Pre-Kwanzaa Dinner: 12/9/2006

in an attempt to foster self-liberating ideals as well as the
liberation of other oppressed people. Even though the current

Leaaersfiip Conference: 2/3/2007

situation of America's Black population is not as calamitous
as it was in the sixties, the Black Student Union is still

Jazzy Night: 2/10/2007

adheres to the bases upon which the organization was
established. Included in these is the desire to preserve and

Black Explosion

perpetuate Black culture, dignity and self-awareness by

Fashion

&

Cultural Show:

2/24/2007

educating members about issues that previously and currently
hinder progress within the Black community.

Small-Keels

Memorial BBQ:

4/22/2007

Page 3

VOLUME l, ISSUE l

The Black Student Union
In Association Wtih
AlphaBeta Sigma Sorority, Inc.

Annual

present their
Sickle
Cell Charity

Auction

September 30th, 2006
To PARTICIPATE, SEND AN E•MAIL TO: bsu1967