How Black History is Celebrated at Chopticon

The Black Student Union (BSU) has been an organization since 1966, focusing on advocating, educating, and providing a safe space for Black students in higher education. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr., we’ve interviewed members of Chopticon’s BSU chapter to see how they help make Chopticon a diverse and safe space. 

Three years ago, social studies teacher and staff sponsor Ms. Sokolowski and substitute teacher Ms. O'Connell started the Black Student Union to provide Black students at Chopticon with a safe and educational space. 

Currently, the population of students who identify as Black is small at just 8.49%, but these staff members have made it their mission to celebrate the community here and encourage students to celebrate their backgrounds. (“Chopticon at a Glance - Chopticon High School”) 

Students like Alonzo Black stumbled into Sokolowski's lunch on Thursdays (A Lunch) and have been going to BSU ever since. 

Week to week, BSU will either talk about culture and history, or they just hang out and get to know each other. Right before winter break, they’ve celebrated Kwanzaa, the current president of BSU, Kofi Gordon, gives speeches about affirmative action, and they bring in special guests to honor the Black Labor Union. 

Everyone’s most sentimental memory of BSU is the field trip to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where they raved about the delicious food. 

These students come together once a week to find others united by culture and ideals. Gabby Knight, a Black-Asian member of BSU, says she joined because she wanted to finally embrace her Black culture. Her favorite part about the club is the community it has created and the friends she now has.

To advertise the club, Sokolowski uses the TVs and Brave’s Bulletin to announce the different events and activities that BSU is hosting. To honor MLK Day, you can go to Sokolowski’s room to see the posters the students worked together to make. They are currently planning events and activities for Black History Month in February.

Many members hope new people will come and emphasize that anyone is welcome. They hope to go on more field trips and discuss Black Women, such as Angela Davis. If you have any questions or want to join this community, go to A114 (Ms. Sokolowski) on Thursday A Lunch, or email her at mlsokolowski@smcps.org.