Bishop Noll’s BSU celebrates Black History Month

Nalaya Ochoa, Staff reporter
March 8, 2022

Senior Richelle Mallory caught up with some students such as Kayode Olaye to be a part of the BSU during SRT. (Nalaya Ochoa) The union is not exclusive to Black students but they’ve tried to recruit more African American students so they could have a safe place in school to be vulnerable without being the “angry black man or woman”. Half of the percentage of the Black students at Noll aren’t a part of BSU, and while it’s not necessary just because they’re black, Mallory felt like more awareness needed to be spread about the union. “I’m simply doing my part by educating myself and making sure I educate my fellow classmates so no one I’ve ever crossed paths with can ever say they don’t know anything about Black history,” said senior Richelle Mallory.

With Covid and e-learning days once again disrupting plans, Bishop Noll’s Black Student Union has had to cancel many plans for Black History Month. However, members of the union and many of its members still managed to celebrate this February.

 

“This year’s theme of Black Health and Wellness is important to the BSU,” Mrs. Victoria Hibbler, math teacher, said. “We plan to continue to meet bi-weekly to check on our members to see how they are doing physically/mentality. We will try to help support our students as much as needed by directing them to resources around Bishop Noll.”

 

BSU member, Richelle Mallory, celebrated by indulging in her culture with her family while further educating themselves on African American figures that are widely known. She also took a trip to the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago Illinois.

 

“That museum is a must-see when you’re in Chicago. There’s so much historical significance to the city and country, from modern art, civil rights to enslavement,” she said. My favorite was the interactive tour of Harold Washington and inspirational quotes, I can’t wait to go back.”

 

BSU members hung pictures of Black figures around the school last month. They plan to have a historically Black college and university round table later in the school year, which allows all students to learn about HBCUs and ask questions they’ve always wanted to know.

 

“I think students and teachers can educate themselves by reading a lot of Black history novels and watching documentaries because that’s what I like to do–or even research online,” said Mallory.