By Lauren Wuthrich, Jay Clampitt and Ellie Rinck
IWU, the Black Student Union (BSU) and the Intercultural and Global Office (IGO) are partnering together to celebrate Black History Month and embrace Kingdom Diversity.
Black History Month is being celebrated across campus through events, conversations and community-building efforts led by IGO and BSU.
Jonathan Panzu, Assistant Director of Multicultural Access and Retention at IGO, says, “It’s incredible for people groups to be highlighted and supported, because each of them brings something unique to the world and also the capital C Christian church.”
Panzu also said, “I just think that intercultural work is important. God’s desire for the church, capital C, is for it to be one, united church. And I think that there are many instances in the world where we’re encouraged to live in silos and segregate, but coming together and being unified under the banner of Christ is most important.”
For many students, the month is a time of celebration and reflection.
“I just think that their culture deserves recognition for what they’ve gone through in the past,” student Sam Peter said. “I just think it’s important to recognize who they are.”
BSU serves as a student-led affinity group focused on empowerment, culture and community.
“BSU is basically an organized club for African American students, or anyone that’s interested in African American culture,” Faith Clayton, BSU’s social media coordinator, said. “We just host different events that are about empowerment or just comfort and culture, and we just want to make students feel welcome.”
This year, BSU is hosting several events in honor of Black History Month, including a “Blackout Weekend.” The weekend will feature “Brush and Brew” on Friday and a faculty panel on Thursday, where African American faculty members will share their experiences and insights.
Clayton emphasized the importance of giving minority students a voice on campus.
“My grandpa was talking about how he grew up,” Clayton said. “We’re not that far removed from slavery. It’s just important to learn about our generations and where we come from, and to stand up for the people that couldn’t stand up for themselves back then.”
Clayton said she encourages students of all backgrounds to attend the events hosted by BSU.
While BSU is student-led, it works closely with the Intercultural and Global Office, a campus department focused on multicultural access and retention.
“We want to build up intercultural leaders,” Panzu said. “Essentially, we want to create an atmosphere in which students are able to love their neighbor — not just the majority neighbor, but their underrepresented group, minority neighbor as well.”
Panzu clarified that while BSU is a student affinity group connected to Student Government Association, IGO functions as a departmental partner that supports and collaborates with student initiatives.
Through panel discussions, creative events and open invitations to the wider campus community, Black History Month serves as both a celebration of culture and a reminder of the ongoing work of recognition, unity and love.
