Click here to read the Glenbard News for February 10, 2026
Across Glenbard District 87, Black student organizations provide students with meaningful spaces to connect, celebrate culture, and uplift one another. From Black Excellence United at Glenbard South, and the Black Student Associations at Glenbard North and Glenbard West, to the Black Student Union at Glenbard East, each group supports student voice, leadership, and community while honoring Black history and identity. Together, these organizations foster belonging, promote understanding, and highlight the powerful role student-led groups play in building an inclusive and connected school community.
Why is Black History Month important to your organization and the school community?
Members of BEU believe Black History Month is important because it highlights an aspect of American history that is not often taught and brings awareness to the many contributions Black Americans have made over time.
What does being part of your BSU/Black Student Association mean to your members?
Being part of BEU provides Black students with a sense of solidarity and belonging. It creates a supportive community built on shared experiences and common interests, helping students feel connected, affirmed, and supported within the larger school community.
Is there a Black leader, figure, or theme that inspires your group, and why?
The theme that guides BEU is Unapologetically Visible, reflecting the belief that every student deserves to be seen, heard, and respected—regardless of how many voices are in the room.
The Black Student Association (BSA) at Glenbard North is a student-led organization that provides a supportive space for students to connect, learn, and celebrate Black culture and history. BSA promotes awareness, dialogue, and belonging while empowering students to share their voices and build community within the school.
How is your Black Student Union/Association celebrating or recognizing Black History Month this year?
BSA kicked off Black History Month with a visit to the DuSable Museum of African American History and a soul food lunch at Chicago’s Chicken and Waffles. Throughout the month, we will celebrate Black culture with a soul food lunch line on Fridays, line dancing taught by our step team, music during passing periods, historical facts on the daily announcements, and a spirit week at the end of the month. This year we learned about the thriving district of Greenwood in Tulsa, OK, known as “Black Wall Street”. This was the inspiration for the theme of our Black History Month program — Rising Together: Black Resilience and the Power of Community — which will take place on February 24th.
Why is Black History Month important to your organization and the school community?
Black History Month is important to BSA and our school community because it brings awareness to and celebrates Black culture, history, and contributions. Despite the challenges Black communities have faced, their influence is reflected in food, music, art, and leadership, shaping not only America but the world. Black History Month reminds us of the depth, strength, and impact of Black experiences and provides time to come together, celebrate accomplishments, and affirm that these stories and voices matter.
What does being part of your BSU/Black Student Association mean to your members?
Being part of BSA means having a safe space and a sense of belonging. It’s a place where members can find support from people who identify with them, share similar experiences, and connect culturally. Even in a diverse school, BSA provides a weekly space to build community, feel seen, and support one another.
Is there a Black leader, figure, or theme that inspires your group, and why?
Our group is inspired by the themes of empowerment, awareness, and celebration of Black culture. These themes help us acknowledge our past and remind us why it’s important not to let history repeat itself. They also remind us that we have a place in the world and that it’s okay to have pride in our Blackness while celebrating who we are and where we come from.
The Black Student Union (BSU) at Glenbard East is a student-led organization that provides a welcoming space for students to connect, support one another, and celebrate Black culture and history. BSU promotes awareness, dialogue, and belonging while empowering students to share their voices and build community within the school.
How is your Black Student Union/Association celebrating or recognizing Black History Month this year?
Black Student Union is celebrating Black History in a variety of ways this year. First, we started off with decorating the main display case, windows and hallways of our school in honor of this month. We are currently planning an African American Read-In event in our school library with the goal of highlighting black voices and stories in a variety of ways–whether it be through poem, short story, song, essay or other genres of writing. We also are hosting events like game nights to strengthen the sense of community amongst our members over the course of this month.
Why is Black History Month important to your organization and the school community?
Black History Month is important to our organization because it centers what BSU tries to do all year round which is to honor, celebrate and empower the voices in our community. The stories of marginalized groups tend to be overlooked in many spaces and so this month provides us with an avenue to shine a light on the history of black people’s resilience, strength, joy and achievements.
What does being part of your BSU/Black Student Association mean to your members?
Being a part of BSU provides a safe space of belonging for our members. It gives them a space where their voices and experiences are centered while also being supported by trusted adults in their school community. They are able to foster relationships with other students that have both shared and varied experiences in a community-centered environment that allows for them to learn more about themselves and their history.
Is there a Black leader, figure, or theme that inspires your group, and why?
We are inspired by every black person, ancestor and elder who sacrificed so much–even their lives– to fight for the full liberation of our community. All that we do is to honor the work they’ve done to get us to this very moment and to honor those who continue the fight.
Glenbard West Black Student Association is a student-led organization that provides a supportive space for students to connect, share experiences, and celebrate Black culture and identity. The group promotes awareness, community, and dialogue while empowering students to uplift one another and build belonging within the Glenbard West school community.
How is your Black Student Union/Association celebrating or recognizing Black History Month this year?
This year, the Black Student Association is recognizing Black History Month through a series of activities designed to educate, celebrate, and bring the school community together. Throughout the month, students and staff are invited to engage in weekly Black history and culture trivia, view a Black History Month advisory video, and participate in an African American Read-In that highlights the impact of Black Americans on society. Additional activities include sharing an infographic of monthly events, hosting a professional career day, celebrating HBCU College Wear Mondays and Music on Fridays, displaying Black history slides on hallway TVs, decorating shared spaces across the school, offering a soul food lunch in the cafeteria, and representing BSA at two activity fairs. The month will conclude with BSA’s open monthly meeting, welcoming all students to learn more about Black history, culture, and community.
Why is Black History Month important to your organization and the school community?
Black History Month is important because it allows students and staff to honor the past and inspire the future. Students and staff are able to learn about Black History and Culture. It also increases students’ sense of belonging and representation in the building.
What does being part of your BSU/Black Student Association mean to your members?
Being part of BSA means having a safe and supportive space where members can be themselves. It gives students a sense of belonging and pride in their identity. Our members are able to share their experiences, support one another, and grow as leaders while building confidence and community.
The Black Student Association provides members with a space to build community. Members are exposed to opportunities and activities that cultivate an equitable environment at Glenbard West that embraces cultural and racial diversity. It is a platform to enhance students’ knowledge of Black History and cultural awareness; promote post-secondary preparedness; enrich students’ lives through community outreach and involvement; and gain greater self-concept/awareness.
Is there a Black leader, figure, or theme that inspires your group, and why?
Our organization is grounded on the principle of the Sankofa. SANKOFA is a sacred ancestral term from the Akan people of Ghana, West Africa (“se wo were fi no wosan kofa a yenki”), which when translated means: “We must go back and reclaim our past so we can move forward — So we understand WHY and HOW we came to be who we are today!”
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