Ball State University has an abundant amount of Black student organizations that cater to a plethora of diverse objectives, but read more about five that provide awareness and outreach for the adversity and obstacles that Black students go through on a daily basis
Mentally Empowered Men
Jordan Johnson, a fourth-year business administration major, is the president and co-founder of a Black student organization called Mentally Empowered Men.
Johnson is a big advocate for male mental health. He said he understands that although expressing feelings and taking care of emotional well-being may not be the easiest task for young Black adults, especially men, the awareness of such can optimistically impact one's life.
“Men typically have experienced so much in their lives that impact who they are and how they operate, but the stigmas that surround them keep them from speaking up and being vulnerable,” Johnson said. “This organization is here to unite and love each other and create a community of brotherhood for all on campus.”
To learn more about Mentally Empowered Men, follow its Instagram @mem_bsu or email mentallyempoweredmen@gmail.com. The organization hosts its weekly events every Monday at the multicultural center.
Black Women’s Voices
Samaria Wright, a third-year media production major, is the community coordinator for a Black student organization called Black Women’s Voices.
Wright values the companionship that Black Women’s Voices offers her, as she can find a safe space within the organization to share her experience, thoughts and input on topics that Black students at a predominantly white institution like Ball State may feel free to share.
“Black Women’s Voices has allowed me to grow and learn who I am, as well as build my confidence and being comfortable with speaking out and allowing others to hear my story and allowing others to hear my experiences of being a Black woman here at a [primarily white institution],” Wright said.
For more information on Black Women's Voices, follow its Instagram @bwv_bsu or attend the organization’s events every other Wednesday, which are open to all on campus.
8 Rollers
Taqi Muhammad, a fourth-year telecommunications major, is the vice president of the Black student organization called 8 Rollers
Muhammad appreciates all that 8 Rollers stands for, as it has offered him an “escape” from the stress and hardships that come from college. He also said that, more importantly, 8 Rollers has helped alleviate the pressure he deals with, as he is preparing to graduate and leave college.
“8 Rollers gives me a moment to not think about school or work in general,” Muhammad said. “It just gives me a space … like it's mentally free for me, so it knocks out all the noise and gives me a safe place to express my feelings through skating.”
To learn more about 8 Rollers, follow the organization’s Instagram @8_rollers or attend its weekly workshops every Wednesday at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center room 310.
Let’s Talk About It
Breyonna McGee, a third-year nursing major, is the event planner for a Black student organization called Let’s Talk About It.
Let’s Talk About It has impacted her in a way that she never expected, McGee said. As she became a member, McGee expressed that she gained a new way of dealing with mental health barriers that came her way. That new way of prioritizing her wellbeing has helped McGee throughout her journey of getting into the Ball State School of Nursing.
“Let’s Talk About It has shown me many ways to decompress,” McGee said. “It has also taught me so much about who I am as a woman and my journey through better mental health. It’s helped me learn how to help and guide others through their mental health journey.”
For more information about Let’s Talk About It, follow the organization’s Instagram @ballstate_lta, where students can learn more about upcoming events.
Pinky Promise
Allison Valladay and Kamryn Stenhouse are the co-presidents of a Black student organization called Pinky Promise.
Valladay is a third-year pre-med biology major while Stenhouse is a third-year exercise science major minoring in psychology. Valladay expressed that joining Pinky Promise was not necessarily a decision but more of a “calling” in her religious faith.
“I wanted to join my Pinky Promise simply because I know how it is to be a woman of God, and being a natural born leader helping others navigate their relationship with God is something that I wanted to get involved [in] on campus and allow others to see that light that God uses through me,” Valladay said.
Stenhouse said that getting started with Pinky Promise was nothing short of a blessing due to the women she had met along the way of her journey with God. The fellowship, along with the like-minded culture Pinky Promise offered Stenhouse, led to her becoming the organization’s co-president.
“I was trying to find a place on campus for myself, and I attended one meeting and realized that I had a lot of things in common with the girls at that meeting,” Stenhouse said, “I wanted to be able to study my Bible with other girls [who] were going through the same thing as me without feeling like I was being addressed but assisted in my faith.”
To learn more about Pinky Promise, follow the organization’s Instagram @pinkypromisebsu or attend its events held every other Tuesday.
Contact Calvin Scott via email at calvin.scott@bsu.edu or on X @CalvinAJScott.
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