5XÉçÇø

Black United Students

Kent State Today
"Black Is" banner project.

Black United Students invited students to express their thoughts on "What is Black to You?" by adding their words and a handprint to a banner.

Banner for Oscar Ritchie Story

A key figure in Kent State's Black History, Oscar Ritchie continues to inspire generations of students and educators.

Julian Grimes, president of Black United Students, tours the May 4 Visitors Center.

Julian Grimes, president of Black United Students, one of 5XÉçÇø's oldest student organizations, is working to maintain the legacy of the organization credited for starting the formal observance of February as Black History Month.
 

Brandon Bell singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing"

A recent graduate lent his voice to an inspiring opening of Kent State's annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

Honors College

Sonyea Moore, a sophomore Honors student from Twinsburg, Ohio, is currently pursuing two majors and three minors in the College of Arts and Sciences and is thriving while doing so. Holding a 3.9 G.P.A., Sonyea is following her interests in the humanities through majors in anthropology and Africana studies, along with her minors in English, creative writing, and history. While the workload of such an education is demanding, Sonyea explains it's worth it to study her passions. 

Kent State students walk to and from class.

University and student leaders share their personal insights into America's current unrest and whether protests will lead to lasting change. 

Tayjua Hines, president of Kent State's Black United Students, speaking at a George Floyd protest in Kent.

Tayjua Hines, president of Black United Students at Kent State, shares this student perspective about racism in our country and says now is the time to enact change.

Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D., interim vice president of the Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D., Kent State's interim vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, and chair and associate professor in the Department of Pan-African Studies, offers her insights in current unrest in America.

Kent State President Beverly J. Warren and Vice President Alfreda Brown give the Diversity Trailblazer Award to Dean Tondiglia, director of public safety and Kent State police chief.

5XÉçÇø’s Director of Public Safety and Police Chief Dean Tondiglia was honored with the university’s 2019 Diversity Trailblazer Award for his years of promoting inclusion and diversity within public safety.