Black Student Union enjoys cultural trip to Nashville
By Blake Sebring
February 21, 2024
A group of 20 Purdue University Fort Wayne students, staff, and faculty representing the Black Student Union traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 2–4 as part of the union’s second annual cultural trip. During three days in Music City, the group visited the National Museum of African American Music, the Tennessee State Museum, and Tennessee State University, one of the country's 101 historically Black colleges and universities.
“The energy was just different,” said Cicelle Beemon, BSU advisor and program assistant to the Women’s Center. “The students were intrigued by how the Tennessee State campus has so much historic culture, as well as the other activities that are student-led.”
TSU’s marching band has won two Grammy Awards and produced several Olympic athletes, including Wilma Rudolph, who won three gold medals in 1960.
“I just learned that when it comes to African American people in different states and cities, it’s all the same goal, to be successful,” said Antwanette Jacobs, president of the BSU. “It just showed us different ways of how African Americans were doing it.”
Jacobs said she returned with more ideas for PFW events BSU might try in the future.
“For a lot of them, they actually learned that there were such things as HBCUs, why there are such things, and how a large number of minorities are successful by going there,” said Rhonda Meriwether, director of the Multicultural Center, and a Tennessee State graduate.
Meriwether said the group also enjoyed walking through Nashville’s large entertainment district.
“I greatly enjoyed the trip,” said Alex Blade, the BSU treasurer. “I wish we had more time to stay at attractions there, but we only have 24 hours in a day. I think the African American Music Museum was amazing. I didn't have a lot of time to read everything, but it was very informative, and a lot of things caught my eye. One thing I can tell you is that Nashville is big and a very beautiful place.”
In 2023, the group traveled to Atlanta to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Park, and next year the hope is to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.
