Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hometown: Houston, TX and Shreveport, LA

Major: Engineering

Position: Marketing Chair

How I Interpret This Theme:"I interpret the theme as understanding all our people have accomplished while also remembering the pain that our people have gone through and continue to go through. It is to reflect on how far we have come to then encourage us to keep pushing and moving forward."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? "I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept." - Angela Davis

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hometown: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

Major: PhD, Chemistry and MS, Bioinformatics

Position: Outreach Committee Chair

How I Interpret This Theme:"Carter G. Woodson said, "There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering." Like others I believe that the glue that holds the great diversity within the black community together os the glue of the African American past that reminds us not just how far we have traveled but also, how far there is to go. I believe our theme "Remembering Our Mark: For Our Culture, For Our People, For Us" represents the glue that holds us together."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? “You may live in the world as it is, but you can still work to create the world as it should be.” ― Michelle Obama

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Major: BS, Physics and BS, Psychology

Position: MESA Graphic Designer

How I Interpret This Theme:"I understand this month as a way of celebrating the community's successes and also remembering the struggles and sacrifices that it took to get there."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? "I did my best, and my best is good enough." - Hannah Beachler

Pronouns: she/hers

Hometown: Farmington Hills, MI

Major: Philosophy

Position: Undergraduate Student Coordinator

How I Interpret This Theme "For me, this theme emphasizes how important it is to highlight and elevate forgotten Black experiences and achievements in our world."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? "You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time." - Angela Davis

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

Major: Mental Health Counseling

Position: Program Manager

How I Interpret This Theme:"I'm reminded of how important it is to center this month around raising awareness, highlighting pressing issues impacting black people along with supporting movements happening in our communities such as the Black Lives Matter movement to uplift and elevate black stories and voices during these difficult times."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? “If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Hometown: Detroit, MI

Major: Choral Music Education

Position: Keynote and Marketing Committee

How I Interpret This Theme:"Our culture has helped to spark movements year after year. Most of American culture is our culture and it is often times forgotten. The songs, dances, sayings, fashion and many other cultural trends in America have been and continuously are started by African Americans. It’s time that we acknowledge our impact and continue to leave our impact in this world."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? “Artists are the gate keepers of truth. We are civilization’s radical voice.” — Paul Robeson

Pronouns: she/her

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Major: Art & Design and African-American Studies

Position: MESA Student Graphic Designer

How I Interpret This Theme:"I interpreted this years theme as a way to commemorate not only our struggles but our resilience and successes across various arenas. Globally we have made such a large impact culturally and interracially that has truly left a mark."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Chicago

Major Sociology with a focus in Health & Medicine

Position: Student Programming

How I Interpret This Theme:"To me, this theme is very powerful. It reminds me that we are nothing without the past. Everything thing that our people have been through and will go through has cultivated a Culture that is like no other. A Culture that is loving, intelligent and motivating. Our struggles and our wins make us who we are, so we must remember, teach and learn from them because that's what prepares us for any battle the future hold."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? "You wanna fly, you have to give up the sh*t that weights you down" - Toni Morrison

Pronouns: She/Her

Hometown: Detroit

Major: Industrial and Operations Engineering

Position: Outreach Team Committee Member

How I Interpret This Theme: "African Americans uniquely contribute to part of the Black Diaspora, which is a mosaic of a wealth of cultures and identities. Black History Month is a celebration of ourselves, for ourselves to share our enjoyment for others to celebrate as well. We have a lot to be proud of and this month is just the beginning of a year round celebration."

Favorite Quote By A Black Person? “The best way to make dreams come true is to wake up.” —Mae C. Jemison