Three student organizations—the Black Student Union (BSU), MOSAIC and Excel—partnered to host a Grill and Chill Cookout at the Bowld patio on April 15 at 4 p.m.
Jadelynne Green, a senior social work major and president of the Black Student Union, led the event organization as an introduction to the BSU.
“We all decided to do a cookout because who doesn’t like food? We also want to create a community. You see people playing games, talking and having a good time. That’s what the BSU wanted to do,” said Green. “I hope it just says to Union that the BSU just wants to create a community and safe space for everyone.”
Attendance was open to all. Food, drinks and games were available for attendees in an outdoor environment to provide precaution for COVID-19, according to Will Lewis, a senior theology and sociology double major and MOSAIC member.
Participants were encouraged to engage in substantive conversations. Emmanuela Arango, a freshman music production major, joined the event after seeing a promotion for it.
“I did have a lot of conversations like that. I wasn’t expecting that I would with the people who went there. I thought it would just be ‘let’s have fun and hangout,’ but I did have a lot of hard conversations. That was really nice,” Arango said. “It wasn’t what I expected it to be, but it was really fun. It was nice to get to know other people that I’ve never really seen around.”
“Excel, Mosaic and BSU are welcoming, not excluding. We have open arms. We’re ready to have conversations, and we’re excited to have conversations. We just want to be heard, inspired by others and loved by others,” said Steve Williams, a sophomore business major and president of Excel. “What I hope comes out of it is great conversation, relationships, bonding together, new perspectives being heard and true and nice conversations.”
The BSU is planning several future events, including a similar cookout to open the fall 2021 semester. Questions about the BSU and future events can be emailed to the organization at bsu@my.uu.edu.
