Over a 43 year span, our student population has grown and their needs have changed. Currently the BCSC provides academic advising and support, leadership development and training for approximately 25 Black Voluntary Student Organizations (BVSOs). The BCSC supports the African American Staff Group (AASG), community service outreach, and various cultural and educational programs.
Cultural Organizations | Support Organizations | Political Organizations | Performing Arts Organizations | Publications | Greek Letter Organizations | Pre-Professional Organizations | Graduate Student Organizations
Cultural Organizations
Black Student Union (BSU)
Stanford's Black Student Union (BSU) is a social, cultural,and political organization primarily concerned with the continual improvement of life for Black students at Stanford. Originally founded in 1967, the BSU has been instrumental in spurring many imaginative changes in the Black community.
Kaela Farrise , Co-President, kfarrise@stanford.edu
Wade Morgan, Co-President,wgmorgan@stanford.edu
Stanford African Students Association (SASA)
Stanford African Students Association (SASA) was founded in 1979 to foster unity among African students and to create awareness in the Stanford community on issues related to Africa.
Tamer Shabani. President, tshabani@stanford.edu
Ubah Dimbil. Vice President, udimbil@stanford.edu
Caribbean Students Association (CSA)
The Caribbean Students Association (CSA) was revived on Stanford's campus in 1991. CSA has embarked on an educational campaign to foster awareness and involvement in Caribbean affairs.
Erica Grimes, Co-President egrimes@stanford.edu
Gayon Douglas, Co-President gdouglas@stanford.edu
Stanford Ethiopian and Eritrean Student Association (SEESA)
The objective of SEESA is to collect and disseminate information about Ethiopian history, culture and politics in order to increase awareness about Ethiopia.
Eden Mesfin, President emesfin@stanford.edu
Nardos Girma, Co-President ngirma@stanford.edu
Nigerian Students Association (NAIJA)
NAIJA seeks to educate and celebrate the deep beauty of Nigeria's diverse culture and heritage to fellow Stanford students and neighboring communities.
Akwaaba
The goal of Akwaaba is enlighten the Stanford community about the rich heritage, culture and current state (e.g. political and social climate) of Ghana.
Support Organizations
Black Recruitment Orientation Committee (BROC)
Established in 1976 as a committee of the Black Student Union, the Black Recruitment Orientation Committee (BROC) introduces prospective and incoming Black students to faculty, staff and students.
Irva Piñeda, Coordinator, igpineda@stanford.edu
Jo Williams, Coordinator, joellew@stanford.edu
Nalani Wakinekona, Coordinator, nalani@stanford.edu
Black and Queer at Stanford (BlaQS)
Black and Queer at Stanford (BlaQS) is a support organization dedicated to the affirmation and advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning and queer-identified Black students, faculty and staff at Stanford University.
Kiyan Williams, Co-President kiyanw@stanford.edu
Kevin Roberts, Co-President kevinr13@stanford.edu
Black Men's Forum (BMF)
The Black Men's Forum is an organization started in recognition of a need for an inclusive, meaningful and structured network of Black male students on Stanford's campus. The goal is to establish and foster a sense of unity, strength,and love among Black males and to direct it towards uplifting the community at large. It also aims to foster positive relationships for black men with others, to develop and highlight the leadership of black men in their communities, and to engage and affect the lives of others beyond the boundaries of Stanford's campus. Through the implementation of community service efforts, the BMF seeks to insure that the strengths, talents and experiences of Stanford black men are reinvested back into the community. Lastly, it seeks to both provide for the professional, academic and personal success of black men at Stanford and to intellectually engage the broad range of issues facing black men and boys.
Christian Beauvoir, President, beauvoir@stanford.edu
Shawn Dye, Vice President, rashawnd@stanford.edu
First-Generation and/or Low-Income Partnership
FLIP is an undergraduate student group committed to being a resource and community for students who identify as first generation and/or low income and our allies. FLIP's mission is to raise awareness about class issues, build a first generation and/or low income community that transcends all barriers, foster an open and respectful campus environment, engage in a cross-class dialogue, advocate on behalf of the community, and empower first generation low income students at Stanford. Throughout the year, we hold events such as open student dialogues, faculty lunches and community forums to support this mission.
Jennifer Telschow, Co-President, telschow@stanford.edu
Najla Gomez, Co-President, najlag@stanford.edu
Multiracial Identified Community at Stanford (MICS)
Alizabeth McGowan, President, amcgowan@stanford.edu
Krista Fryauff, Vice President, kfryauff@stanford.edu
Political Organizations
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The Stanford NAACP focuses on spreading political and cultural awareness throughout all communities, not just minority communities. This is done through such activities as voter registration and education drives, distributing information about the stances of candidates in impending elections, and sponsoring lectures and other campus events.
Melvin Boone, Co-President, mboone7@stanford.edu
Tianay Pulphus, Co-President, tianayp@stanford.edu
Performing Arts Organizations
Black Stage
Jessica Anderson, ja2010@stanford.edu
Angela Schiller, angela.schiller@gmail.com
Committee for Black Performing Arts
Olivia Smarr, osmarr@stanford.edu
Elliott Williams, elliot2@stanford.edu
Kuumba Dance Ensemble
The Kuumba Dance Ensemble was created in the 1970s by a group of energetic students who wished to perform traditional African, African-American and jazz dance as a small ensemble. They received the support from the Committee on Black Performing Arts to create their own student-operated group.
JAM PAC'D
Before JAM PAC'D, there was no outlet for Black or Urban Jazz dance at Stanford. The jazz classes in the Dance Department weren't geared towards an African American style of dance, and Kuumba was strictly African.
Karen Lum, Co-Director karenlum@stanford.edu
Matthew Anderson, Co-Director mnanders@stanford.edu
Tola Sunmonu, Co-Director tsunmonu@stanford.edu
Stanford Gospel Choir (SGC)
The Stanford Gospel Choir is a biblically based organization whose purpose is to minister through various forms of gospel music. The Stanford Gospel Choir has been bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ through song to the Stanford community and surrounding Bay Area since 1978. Though this unique cultural ministry of gospel music is deeply rooted in the African American tradition, the choir includes a diverse group of believers from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The SGC is open to all students, staff and faculty with no membership requirements or try-outs.
Farris Blount, Co-President fblount@stanford.edu
Chelsey Sveinsson, Co--President svein@stanford.edu
Moving Word: Expressions of Faith
Moving Word: Expressions of Faith Dance Ministry is Stanford's only liturgical dance group. The focus of the group is to use dance to spread the gospel of Jesus to the Stanford community, while at the same time working to foster a community of believers committed to using their artistic talents to serve God.
Olivia Smarr, President, osmarr@stanford.eduCatch a Fyah
Catch a Fyah is Stanford's first and only Caribbean dance group that brings a unique style, energy and flavor to the dance culture at Stanford University. It was founded in 2006 by Kamila McDonald and Shakisha Oconner with the mission to educate the Stanford community about the rich and exciting culture of the Caribbean through the art of dance and music. Catch a Fyah places an emphasis on producing unique and vibrant performances with surprising choreography and colorful costumes, saturated with Caribbean flavor. Check them out because it will be the closest you will ever get to being in the Caribbean here on campus. One Luv.
Stanford Steppers
The Stanford Steppers is a performance group comprised of undergraduate students at Stanford. The team was founded by two students in October of 1998, with the goal of perfecting the unique African-American art of stepping.
The Real News
The Real News is a political, social and cultural newspaper. It also serves as an international source for the Black community at Stanford, the general Stanford community and peoples throughout the world.
Shawn Dye, Chief Editor, rashawnd@stanford.edu
Greek Letter Organizations
African-American Fraternal & Sororal Association (AAFSA)
The African-American Fraternal & Sororal Association (AAFSA) is the governing body of the historically Black Greek Letter Organizations at Stanford. It is an opportunity for the various members to come together to create a yearly program schedule while serving as an open forum for collaboration.
William Wagstaff, Co-President wagstaff@stanford.edu
Taryn Sanks, Co-President tdsanks@stanford.edu
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Beta Chapter
In 1908, at Howard University in Washington D. C., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority became the first organization of its kind established by and for Black women, providing emotional, intellectual and social support for college women. One hundred years later, the tradition continues and has expanded.
Anna-Alycia Tucker, President aamtuck@stanford.edu
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Nu Sigma Chapter
On the Stanford campus the Nu Sigma chapter was founded in 1978. It continues the national tradition of tight fraternal bonds, ground-breaking innovation and service to the African-American community and humankind as a whole. The chapter brothers can frequently be seen together throughout campus—at cultural events, parties and community service events.
Olutosin Sonuyi, President, olu.sonuyi@stanford.edu
Wade Morgan, Vice President, wgmorgan@stanford.edu
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Omicron Chi Chapter
The Omicron Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was chartered in 1983. It is a city-wide chapter encompassing women from Stanford University, Santa Clara University and the College of Notre Dame. Since Omicron Chi's inception, the women of the chapter have involved themselves in projects that help empower and uplift the African American community.
Kadesia Woods, President, kawoods@stanford.edu
Quadeera Jackson, Vice President, qsjackso@stanford.edu
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Lambda Nu Chapter
The Lambda Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, In. was chartered in 1983 on Stanford and Santa Clara campuses to uphold the fraternity's fundamental purpose of achievement. We focus our pursuits on advancing a strong tradition of excellence, service and brotherhood, as we sculpt the leaders of the next generation and uplift our fellow man. Through our various local and national programs, we create an environment that not only strengthens the bonds within the African American community but provides a foundation for progress.
Christian Beauvoir, President, beauvoir@stanford.edu
Jerome Sanders, Vice President
Omega Psi Phi Inc., Alpha Mu Chapter
It is the mission of the Alpha Mu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. to provide a brotherhood for which men of similar ideas and backgrounds can grow and serve the local community and enrich society as a whole by implementing and supporting Omega's mandated programs and upholding the cardinal principals.
D'Shai Hendricks, President dshaih12@stanford.edu
Lawrence Melton, Vice President lwmelton@stanford.edu
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Beta Tau Chapter
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was founded on January 9, 1914 on the campus of Howard University by three young enterprising African-American college men. The Beta Tau chapter was originally a Bay Area wide chapter. The chapter was rechartered in October 2004. The Beta Tau chapter of Phi Beta Sigma continues to faithfully perpetuate composite growth and progress as a true brotherhood, dedicated to culture for service and service for humanity.
Michael Thomas, President mthomas@stanford.edu
Sam Oluwalana, Vice President soluwalana@gmail.com
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Xi Delta Chapter
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was founded on November 12, 1922 in Indianapolis, Indiana by seven educators. The Xi Delta Chapter was founded on the Stanford Campus in March 2009. Through scholarship, sisterhood and service we strive to better serve our community.
Sydney Tomlin, President stomlin@stanford.edu
Pre-Professional Organizations
Society of Black Scientists and Engineers (SBSE)
SBSE has continued a long tradition of programs on Stanford's campus geared towards the successful recruitment, retention and graduation of talented and enthusiastic Black scientists and engineers. These programs include weekly corporate lunch meetings and/or workshops geared towards exposing members to various opportunities on and off campus, weekly study nights and participation in regional and national conventions with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE).
Ifueko Igbinedion, President ifueko@stanford.edu
Rotimi Opeke, Vice President, ropeke@stanford.edu
Black Psychology Student Association (BPSA)
The Stanford Psychology Association (BPSA) provides an academic network of professors who provide mentorship to students who pursue psychological studies/interests issues that pertain to African Americans.
Gerald Higginbotham, President, ghigg@stanford.edu
Branden Crouch, Vice President, bcrouc@stanford.edu
Stanford Black and Latino Business Association (BALBA)
The Stanford Black and Latino Business Association (BALBA) is concerned with the issues of Blacks and Latinos in the business world. BALBA seeks to enhance the political, cultural and social awareness of its members surrounding the relationship between the business world and the Black and Latino communities.
Emma Ogiemwayne, Co-President emmaoh@stanford.edu
Madeline Hawes, Co-President madhawes@stanford.edu
Stanford Black Pre-Medical Society (SBPO)
The Black Pre-Medical Organization (SBPO) was founded in 1971 by a group of African-American students facing similar difficulties in pre-med classes. Subsequently, they developed a study group and found strength in their unity, which has improved their academic performance.
Maya Faison, President, mfaison@stanford.edu
Vanessa Zamy, Vice President, vzamy3@stanford.edu
Black Pre-Law Society (BPLS)
The Black Pre-Law Society's (BPLS) purpose is to assist Black students in their preparation for legal careers and to provide valuable educational and social services to the Black community as a whole.
Megan McKoy, President mmckoy@stanford.edu
Graduate Student Organizations
Black Graduate Students Association (BGSA)
BGSA traditionally supports the continued academic excellence of Black graduate students at Stanford through a variety of praised and highly effective forums, such as the Ph.D. Forum, Journeys and Visible Men. BGSA's programming explores the complex meaning of Blackness.
Raymond Tambe, President, ray81589@stanford.edu
Luke Yancy, Vice President, lyancy@stanford.edu
Black Business Students Association (BBSA)
The mission of the Black Business Student's Association (BBSA) is to promote diversity and cultural enrichment at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business (GSB); to assist in the development of Black business professionals; and to assist in the recruitment and retention of minority.
Stanford Black Law Student Association (BLSA)
BLSA provides a strong support system for each other as well as for other black students on campus. The goal is to remain a positive and leading force in a predominately white academic environment.
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
The Stanford chapter of the SNMA is used as a framework to organize African-American students at the School of Medicine. Recent projects of the chapter include a health education curriculum at the Free At Last recovery clinic in East Palo Alto and a mentor program.
