Michigan State University is a predominantly white institution, or PWI, which means Black students might find it hard to discover spaces across campus that they feel represent them.
But with over 1,000 registered clubs and organizations, MSU home is to many that are Black-led and Black-focused. Here is a non-exhaustive list of clubs that can offer a safe, relatable and representative space to Black students.
Black Mental Health Coalition Club
Psychology senior Ajhané Kindle is the president of the Black Mental Health Coalition Club – an organization focused on the stigma surrounding Black mental health. Through events, students work to empower its members in a safe environment.
“(We) foster a safe and livable environment for students of the minority to come together as one and be around like-minded individuals like themselves,” Kindle said. “I just make sure we have a really small environment where we are all together and still sharing stories, sharing feelings, sharing everything.”
Kindle said that the club can act as an outlet for minorities attending a PWI. She said minorities come to the club feeling like they do not “have a really big space on this campus.”
“It really gives them a space to just come to cry, scream, laugh, do anything they need to do outside of MSU,” Kindle said. “I feel like people knowing about the organization can make them feel like ‘Okay, I have a space to go and sit down to actually discuss my mental health.”
Black Mental Health Coalition Club membership information can be found online.
Black Girl Fitness
MSU Black Girl Fitness works to increase the number of women that practice healthy lifestyles, by providing a "comfortable setting to reach their fitness goals," according to their website.
The club discusses healthy eating, living and partaking in physical activity, which includes various fitness workouts. Previously, the club has attended Black Girl Day of Play at the State Capitol.
Black Girl Fitness membership information can be found online.
Black Poet Society
The Black Poet Society, or BPS, aims to create a safe space for students to foster writing and public speaking skills through poetry.
Psychology junior Joya Bailey, president of the BPS, previously told The State News the organization promotes love and encouragement as students grow both as poets and people.
BPS membership information can be found online.
Black Student Alliance
Human biology and neuroscience senior Marcus McDaniel is the president of the Black Student Alliance, or the BSA, an organization that works to help empower the voices and education of the Black community.
“We stand for excellence, we succeed in our passion, our hearts are dedicated to our community and justice for all the rights we deserve,” McDaniel said.
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It is simple to join the organization, and there are two options, McDaniel said. You are “automatically a member” if you identify as a Black student, but to have an active membership, you come to general body meetings, join committees, attend events and volunteer.
The general meetings are an opportunity for the students to say anything that is on their minds, McDaniel said.
BSA serves as a huge resource for Black community, and after leaving students should have a "complete resume" that will allow them to achieve their "dream job, or at least give the skills needed for success," McDaniel said.
BSA membership information can be found online.
N Crowd
N Crowd is fashion magazine for, and created by, Black students. The club focuses on photography and design.
Apparel and textile design junior and N Crowd president Takai Taggart started the club in 2021. Her purpose was to create a diverse and artistic community that is approachable for people of color.
Taggart said N Crowd is an open and accepting club, where all of the members listen to different perspectives on any subject matter and that she hopes to expand the club in future years.
“I want to start other chapters at other schools,” Taggart said. “I want it to be a household-named magazine.”
N Crowd membership information can be found online.
Photo courtesy of Brandon Williams.
Black Media and Entertainment Club
The Black Media and Entertainment Club, or BME, calls itself "the voice of campus."
Black Media Entertainment provides quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs for MSU's campus, according to their website. BME has hosted events such as vision board parties, game nights and bar crawls.
BME membership information can be found online.
Black and Broad
Black and Broad aims to "support and represent Black business-minded students," according to their website.
The organization aims to be an outlet for students and a “pipeline of resources and academic help to succeed at the Eli Broad College of Business.”
Black and Broad membership information can be found online.
