Black Safe Spaces: 5 Student-Ran Organizations for the Black Students of Fort Collins
In a time as tumultuous as now on a campus as divisive as ours, it can be hard to find a place to feel safe and represented as a Black youth on campus, let alone in Fort Collins. That’s where I’m here to guide those who need it to the places where Black students can express their culture and authenticity and feel safe while doing it, all while staying close to their dorms. In my first piece on safe Black spaces in Fort Collins, I am going to share five student-ran clubs and organizations at Colorado State University that students can feel safe at when the pressures of being a student of color at a predominantly white institution(PWI) can become too much. This list isn’t just for students at CSU either, college students from all over Fort Collins and colleges across Northern Colorado can come to see the support that these organizations give to the local Black Community.
United Men of Color seeks to offer a home and community to all men of color on campus and in Fort Collins. Described as a “brotherhood” by club members, the club spreads a message of unity with a focus on making an impact with leadership, volunteer work, and a program built on culturally inclusive activities. The organization hosts weekly “Real Talks” every Tuesday and Thursday with their sister group, United Women of Color(we’ll talk about these strong women later) to talk about issues facing the Black community and educate those who are unaware of the struggles Black people have to go through in modern day society. With strong educated Black men leading its members, and an inspiring “We all we Got!” chant to rally men of color throughout CSU, United Men of Color is a great place for any young POC men looking for a place to be themselves.
2. United Women of Color (UWC)
For women on campus looking for a sisterhood with undeniable style and unshakeable self-worth, look no further than United Women of Color. In an environment like a college campus where educated women of color can often feel isolated and underrepresented, UWC hopes to create a space where those women can come together to celebrate their excellence. UWC hosts a variety of events including a hair show, where Black students across CSU come to display fierce looks showcasing their beautiful natural hair in the most extravagant ways possible. With so many incredible women in charge, United Women of Color has become a safe space built on unconditional love and support for women of color at CSU.
Africans United’s mission is clear…to unite students of multiple diverse backgrounds and beyond here at CSU. Their goal is accomplished by educating members about the beautifully rich cultures found in Africa. This organization is especially important, as it can offer a space for Black international students to feel connected to their roots, as the program dives into the history of the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Regions of the African Continent. The organization speaks about the multiple countries in Africa and their traditions in an effort to show the students of CSU and Fort Collins about the diversity Africa has, but is rarely ever mentioned. There are even talks concerning Latin American and Caribbean heritage for those who identify as Afro-Latino. Africans United hopes to give Black students, and especially those still strongly connected to the Motherland, a space to feel safe to explore all of their roots.
4. National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
An industry that is sorely lacking in the treatment of Black students is the STEM field. The Colorado State University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers hopes to change this. NSBE came together with the goal of helping educated and culturally responsible Black engineers and scientists succeed academically, professionally, and personally. STEM fields are infamously difficult. Even more so for students of color who have been given disproportionate opportunities and are put at an extreme disadvantage in the predominantly white-dominated field. Luckily, NSBE is here to support Black engineer students with study sessions, professional networking events for students, leadership and programming experience, among many more opportunities. The organization even has a “Pass The Torch Event” where they reach out to local elementary and high school students eager to learn more about STEM. NSBE are advocates for Black STEM students on campus and offers resources to make sure those students are never left on their own.
5. Black Student Alliance (BSA)
Last but certainly not least, for the students who not only want to find an inclusive community but want to do their part in creating a more accepting campus that uplifts Black/African American students and advocates for their rights, then the Black Student Alliance may be the next organization to find a spot in. As the oldest student organization with a direct focus on the improvement of Black lives on campus and in the wider community, the Black Student Alliance has had years of experience with creating safe spaces for Black students. The organization is well-versed in giving back to the community, hosting Black Student Alliance Galas that everyone can attend, all in the name of Black excellence. Whether it's advocating for key social & political issues that Black students have to face on campus, or offering spaces for students to come to relax, hang out, and get some studying done while making lifelong connections, the leaders of the Black Student Alliance do everything they can to protect the Black students of CSU.
Overall, being a Black student on a PWI like CSU can leave those who are in the situation feeling isolated, and closed off to the culture they grew up with and love so much. However, with student-run organizations like these around the corner, the Black youth of CSU don’t have to worry. There will always be a community of strong Black peers who have their backs.
