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Part of Black Student Union elects 2018-19 e-board, May 7, 2018

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Black Student Union elects 2018-19 e-board
HARUKA KOSUGI

SPECTRUM

ASST. NEWS EDITOR

5/ 7/18
UB's largest student body club, the Black
Student Union, held its election for the up­
coming year's e-board last Wednesday in
front of a packed crowd. Ayenoumou Bar­
ry, Daniel Edwards and Kendra Harris
were elected president, vice president and
treasurer, respectively, and both Edwards
and Lucas Furlow won seats as activities
coordinators for next year.
BSU is the largest club on the People of
Color council with over 300 members, and
will wield a budget of $33,000 dollars, ac­
cording to the 2018-19 Student · Associa­
tion budget packet.
According to Barry, all of the candidates
ran unopposed, but the election was still
relatively rigorous for those running.
"Questioning from the general body and
our panel is very thorough to ensure that
everyone elected by the general body is
qualified for their position," Barry wrote in
an email.
Barry, a seni6r sociology major, also
wrote that she would like to expand on the
annual Welcome Back Celebration barbe­
cue held by the club on the first weekend
of classes. She said she would like to col­
laborate with other student organizations
to have an event every day during Labor
Day weekend to expose new students to
different clubs on campus.
Harris, who previously served as secre­
tary for the club, wrote in an email that she
wanted to become more involved in the

club because it will give her a forum to dis­
cuss issues within the black community.
"The BSU provides me with a safe space
where I am comfortable addressing is­
sues that affect me and my community
free from judgment, allows me to voice my
concerns as a black student on campus and
allows me to learn more about black histo­
ry and culture," wrote Harris.
As treasurer, Harris said she wants BSU
fundraisers to focus more on economic is­
sues facing the black community and "ed­
ucating the students on financial literacy."
Senior economics major Patrick Strick­
land attended the first Q&A portion of the
election and said the process was "intense."
He said the questions asked by the audi­
ence were "tough" and measured the candidates' critical thinking skills.
Rudolph Walker, a BSU general body
member and senior political science major,
also remarked that the elections were
"intense," but thought the candidates did
well.
"[Barry] is definitely going to do a great
job," Deon said.
Recently, the BSU has produced a num­
ber of students who have gone on to hold
a seat on the SA e-board.
Current SA President Leslie Veloz was
BSU vice president before running for her
SA position and incoming SA Vice Presi­
dent Anyssa Evelyn held the position of
BSU events coordinator.
email: haruka.kosugl@ubspectrum.com
twitter: @kosuglspec

COURTESY

I BSU

The 2018-19 Black Student Union e-board after the election. The E-board (left to right) Jermaine Hinckson.
Daniel Edwards. Ayenoumou Barry, Kendra Harris and Lucas Furlow.