40th Anniversary
40th Anniversary Celebration Speech given by OBSS Director, Dr. Gail Buck February 13, 2010
Where are we today? OBSS is at the top of the game!
- OBSS strengthens the interaction and communication between students, student organizations, faculty and staff.
- OBSS serve as an advocate, resource and foundation for the black population of Loyola Marymount University.
- OBSS develops and implement culturally relevant educational programs that enhance student’s current knowledge related to leadership, professional development, social enrichment and retention.
- OBSS develops a supportive discourse to create an encouraging environment that promotes the intellectual, professional and cultural growth of African and African-American students as they absorb a cross-cultural understanding and interconnectedness with the campus and surrounding community.
Sure there is a wide array of qualitative programming that comes out of OBSS, such as:
- Passing: a play based on a Harlem Renaissance novel depicting the lives of two African American women passing for white.
- One Day in Mississippi: One act drama of perspectives of young civil rights workers killed in Mississippi – Directed by Dr. Linda Bannister
- Black Culture Night: Dr. Robert Singleton, vividly spoke on his life as a freedom rider during the civil rights time.
- Author and LMU Alum, Anthony Parent discussed his book, Foul Means that explained the emerging economic interests that intentionally brought racial slavery to Virginia, and in turn, America.
- Gospel Concerts
- Sankofa Fashion Shows
- Learning Resource Center and OBSS series of Math workshops
- Loyola Law School Information Session
- Live Jazz & Open Mic Night
- Black Hair Dialogue
- Black Culture Night: Dialogue on the “N” Word.
- In collaboration with the Marymount Institute a conversation with Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka
- Black Intellectual Life – Women, Knowledge, and Power
Sure there is awesome and qualitative programming that comes out of OBSS, such as:
- From Swastika to Jim Crow – a collaboration with Michael Barclay, Arthur Gross-Schaefer.
- Pulling Out the Race Card One Too Many Times – Facilitated by LMU alumnus Dawn Johnson.
- A Elegant Evening of Blues and Jazz
- Rhyme and Reason, Vol. 3 – A student created hip hop showcase
- Sex, Race and Violence – facilitated by LMU faculty, Dr. Barbara Lang
- Black Intellectual Life: the Power of Intellectual Brotherhood – facilitated by Dr. Brad Stone.
- Images of Black Women in the Media - A collaborative session of Communication Studies and Sociology faculty members.
- Aids in Black America – facilitated by Drs. Barrett and Stone and BSU.
- Sylvia Zomalt African Marketplace – named after our beloved sister and founder of the African Marketplace
- Greek Step Show – showcasing the divine 9 (DST)
- 2007 - 1st Annual BSU Summer Retreat –Fear in a Pail exercise (students discussed fears as a leader related to BSU and personal fears), Rope exercise (developed a better understanding of leaders vs. followers and the perception of who’s leading), better defined BSU mission and goals for the year, fundraisers, community service projects, and calendars.
- Black Culture Night: “The Down Low” in the black community at LMU – a faculty and student discussion.
Sure there is awesome and qualitative programming that comes out of OBSS, such as:
- Black Athletes in the Media - As part of Black History Month and the sixth annual First Amendment Week, the Loyolan, OBSS and ASLMU collaborated in a discussion with Olympian John Carlos
- Irreplaceable?? Are Strong, Healthy, black Women Disappearing? Addressed issues of self-esteem, family, trauma, and the roles African American women play in society today. Facilitated by Dr. Grills and Dr. Michelle Anderson.
- Poet of the Swingin’ Blade / A short film about black turpentine slaves of 1930’s Florida who had only their stories, song, skin games and… magic to help them survive. Co-sponsored by filmmakers Dr. Linda Bannister (LMU English Dept.) and James Hurd.
- “Presumed Dead” Author and LMU Interim Chair & Professor of SFTV, Steven Duncan discussed his novel, self-publishing processes, and the struggles and benefits of being a screenwriter
- Resisting the Pressures of Hollywood: Body Image and Eating Disorders within the Entertainment Industry. Women’s History Month presentation in collaboration with Committee on the Status of Women, Dance Dept., Comm. Studies, African American Studies, SPS, and the Health Center.
- Christmas & Kwanzaa on the Hill
- African American Academic and Service & Leadership Awards Ceremony
- OBSS Website – created “Looking Through the Window” a student story. OBSS highlights a student’s story of success and life (includes picture).
- OBSS planned, led and implemented a campus wide viewing and reflection of the first African American President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
- OBSS developed a survey related to social behavior (hooking up); presented findings to various constituents on campus and planned many programs based on interpretive data of student needs.
- Soul, Sushi, & Salsa – a student lead conversation about commonalties and challenges….but found resolutions for success
- Jay-Z to Jesus – Brother Ben Stephens campus ministry so eloquently facilitated
- Brother Outsider – a documentary about the life of Bayard Rustin, advisor to MLK, who had many challenges in life but one of the most prominent challenges, is that he was gay. Collaboration with the Sexual, Gender, & Equity Committee.
- In response to retention efforts, Frosh Conversations: Girl Talk was created to better reach first year African American female students
- Lastly, on February 6, 2010 at 7:30pm OBSS collaborated with the Athletics department for the Men’s Basketball game. Niajah sang the National Anthem, Kuumba Beatz preformed at half –time, Ross announced and reminded everyone that it is BHM, but most of all we kicked Pepperdine University’s butt! And even though Dr. Bove could not be here, I am pretty sure she would say, go lions!
Sure, there is awesome and qualitative programming that comes out of OBSS but...
- I believe it is the respectful and intentional interconnectedness of not just the black family of LMU but also the understanding of the importance of interacting and respecting all students, alumni, faculty, and staff. This is what strengthens us. This is what and where OBSS is today.