Funding for Maury Black Student Union

Background 

Hi, my name is Nya Muir, and I am one of the co-founders of Maury's first-ever 

Black Student Union. My friend Paris Barnes and I started the club our sophomore year but fully launched the organization our Junior year (out of lockdown). Paris and I were first inspired after watching the Netflix show ‘Grand Army’ (which follows the struggles of multiple teenagers inside a diverse inner city NY high school) and noticed that some of the characters participated in a Black Student Union. After a few mins of awe and begging Paris to start the club with me, the two of us started planning out the projection of the BSU. Within a few short months we asked the wonderful Madame N’Golet (Paris’ French teacher) to sponsor us and help make our dreams become a reality.

The BSU welcomes all students of any background and has an ethnically diverse membership. “Our mission is to educate people about the culture of black and brown students at maury, and uplift students of color whilst creating a safe haven for the black student body.” The club wants to emphasize and focus on spreading awareness, positivity, and pride amongst our members and the local community at large, because in a day and age where so much negativity circulates around Black and Brown Americans, it’s important for us to acknowledge, but push past the hate and trauma.

How You Can Help!

We were able to scrape by our first year with minimal funds. However, Paris and I want to expand and take our organization to the next level. But to put it bluntly… we are BROKE. We receive no funds from Norfolk Public Schools; all of the club’s money comes from (myself, Paris and Madame’s) pockets, and small dues given from our members. Therefore, we need your help to raise funds to support our club's future activities, meetings, events, and apparel. But the money would mainly go towards making our dream of taking the club to the National African American Museum in DC (2023) a reality!! We need transportation fare for the trip and have to worry about other expenses. 

This club is my heart and soul, and being able to watch the BSU blossom in such a short time span has meant everything to me. We love to volunteer in our local community, collaborate with other notable groups like the Tidewater African Cultural Alliance, conduct food/coat/ and supply drives, and hang out outside of school to experience cultural enrichment while having fun!! Please consider donating whatever you can to supporting the Black Student Union as our club has so much potential and the sky is the limit for what our group can accomplish. If you wish to keep up with the BSU and see how we are growing feel free to follow us on Instagram @maurybsu.

Thank you for any and all support, and have a wonderful day.

-Love

Nya, Paris, and Madame N'Golet