The Black Student Union, also known as BSU, is a club that strives to promote empowerment for black and brown students in the Steinert school community. Mr. Cooper, the teacher advisor of the club, sat down with the Spartan Sentinel to further discuss the purpose of the club and why having a safe space for minority students is important in the current school environment.

BSU started back in the 2021-2022 school year following the end of hybrid learning, and students returning full-time to school. When asked what he wants to achieve with BSU, Mr. Cooper said, “Inclusion is a big part of it. We kind of have kids from the other side of the tracks, so to speak. We have the Kuser initiative, where more and more minorities that would’ve gone to Nottingham, are coming here. A lot of those students don’t feel included because their friends and families are with the Nottingham community. If we give them a space here, then they can feel included and not be so outspoken and defiant.”

Back in 2019, there was a change in where Kuser Elementary students were going to high school due to overcrowding at Nottingham. Because of this, lots of students who were originally supposed to go to Nottingham, are now attending Steinert.

“They can walk with their head held high, and walk with a sense of pride, and Steinert Pride,” said Mr. Cooper.

BSU strives to provide a positive space for black and brown students to gather, as well as giving these students a pat on the back. “Lots of our students come from broken homes, and BSU can serve as an oasis for them.” Says Mr. Cooper. Mr. Cooper hopes that BSU can help these students create positive intentions and thoughts, and put their feet in the future, as well as knowing that “peace is in the moment.”

BSU wants to promote black and brown success and excellence. By doing this, they often have speakers come to their meetings to give the students a look at how their future can be if they continue to live with pride and positivity, and being careful about their choices and behavior. These speakers, as well as activity and project based activities that focus on bonding and relatability. BSU recently went on a field trip to the African American History Museum in Philadelphia, and then got to enjoy lunch together at the Reading Terminal Market. Activities like these give BSU students a strong confidence and perspective that helps them overcome obstacles that they may face and shape their future. “We come into this world looking like our biological mother and father. But we leave this world looking like our choices.” says Mr. Cooper.

Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Soto want each student to leave the meeting knowing that they all have a place not only in BSU, but in the school as well, and know that they have a purpose to use their voice to do well in the school community.