By Paige Robinson, Staff Photographer
During Black History Month 2023, I was curious to hear different perspectives from other Black students than myself to engage in their different stories, experiences, advice, and more. Along with me wanting to hear from my peers, I also wanted others to listen and understand what life might be like for a Black student, especially attending a PWI (predominantly white institution). Some responses may be what some expect, while other responses may come as a shock. Many times, Black voices are silenced so people can avoid hearing the hard truth about our lives and our history. I want to put an end to that, and I really hope people can truly feel for the Black students. The responses to the questions below will reflect how each student differs, but also connect. Other fellow Black students can also read this and know they are not alone. This is for those to understand the realities of the minority community, the good and bad.
1. What is it like living as a Black student at Regis University?
Being Black at Regis University is a pretty interesting experience. There is a good amount of Black people that are on our campus and we have a very welcoming and fun group of people in BSA. But there are other times where you get those looks from non-Black students, which is often uncomfortable but something that I have had to deal with before. Also with sports, and especially volleyball there are normally not a lot of black people on my teams. There is a really good number of us which allows me to be even more comfortable at school, during travel games, etc.
-Anonymous
Being a Black student at my university is a somewhat strange experience. There’s so much diversity around me yet I don’t see many African Americans on campus. It makes me feel somewhat disconnected from the Black culture that I’m used to being surrounded by. Luckily, I’m treated just like anyone else on campus.
-Anonymous
Being a Black student on Regis campus is different to me. I went to a high school and middle school that was very diverse and had a lot of different people from different backgrounds. Being at Regis, I must have a lot more conversations on a regular basis that makes me understand the exhaustion of being Black in a white community. There are things that I find common and do on the daily as what I thought was just being me or normal, but I have come to realize that they are more “black” tendencies.
-Justice Jones ‘26
Living in Regis University as a Black student is tough, I won’t lie. You stand out in every gathering. As expected, there is little to no sense of Black community and culture as it is a predominantly white institution. Whenever you see a Black person on or around campus, you are amazed because it is unusual to see a lot of people who look like you around here.
-Chisom Nwosu ‘26
Being a Black student at Regis University is challenging. I feel like I am constantly being judged and scrutinized by my peers. I feel like I need to work harder in order to be taken seriously. Most of the time, I am the only Black person in my class and that can be isolating. These feelings are overwhelming and sometimes make it difficult for me to focus on my studies.
-Tracy Fokwang ‘25
Being at Regis University is very mentally and spiritually draining. I have to constantly prove to my professors and my peers that I belong here and I am smart. It is believed by some that Black students are not as intelligent as others, which is hurtful because I worked hard to get into colleges just like others.
-Ama Agyekum ‘24
2. Do you deal with daily struggles being Black? If so, what?
I don't really deal with any daily struggles relating to being Black at Regis. There will be those times where you do get those looks out of nowhere but overall we have a pretty inclusive campus.
-Anonymous
Well, growing up Black poses many problems from family life to some traits in our culture that leave scars on us as we grow older. I’m still healing from these scars and struggle to let people in. But I’m taking my time and making sure I heal back correctly.
-Anonymous
One daily struggle I deal with is the unconscious tendency to always have my guard up because I tend to feel people are out to get me or may treat me differently because of my race. Because of this, there is that natural defense set before you even interact with people.
-Chisom Nwosu ‘26
Again, if I ask for help from my professors I am always hit with, “you’re a strong woman, I’m sure you can figure this out.” Even at times most of my professors and my peers talk to me in a manner to insult my intelligence
-Ama Agyekum ‘24
3. What advice would you give to future Black Regis students?
I think my advice is to just be yourself and embrace yourself and your culture. It is so important and a breath of fresh air to be surrounded by people who look like you as well as go through the same things that you do. No teacher, grade, friend, etc, is worth losing yourself just because you want to fit in.
-Anonymous
There may be pressure on you to be a doctor or a lawyer or an engineer but you should just do what you want to do. Having one of those jobs may net you a lot of money or prestige but it doesn’t mean anything if you’re not happy. So do what your passionate about
-Anonymous
One thing I would say to future Regis students of color is to just make sure you embrace who you are and not let yourself just fall into the common crowd.
-Justice Jones ‘26
If you are treated unfairly, stand your ground and stand up for yourself. On the days where you feel like you are not being heard or misunderstood, find a fellow Black person and/or person of color that you trust enough to confide in. This may be a student, faculty member, an advisor or anyone in a leadership position. Join BSA, it helps you know your people around campus. Take advantage of resources and opportunities provided to Black people all over campus.
-Chisom Nwosu ‘26
My advice for future black students is to remember that you are not alone. There’s a community here for you. BSA, the office of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We’re all here for you to help you succeed.
-Tracy Fokwang ‘25
Be truthful to who you are, respect yourself and your morals don’t overcompensate. Speak up, take up room in your classes
-Ama Agyekum ‘24
4. What do you enjoy about being Black?
I enjoy it all. I think the most thing I enjoy is finding other Black people. I just love the energy that we bring. I also learned to love my hair. I think it is such a huge part of being Black. I feel like we all fell into a stigma that straight hair was the beauty standard and if our hair was not straight you wouldn't be considered pretty. I find that now so crazy that I would think that because I would never trade my curly hair for the world.
-Anonymous
There’s beauty in our culture that many other cultures don’t have. While we may have been wronged in the past and gotten a late start, our culture promotes tenacity and civil disobedience and this makes it so that no matter what challenge we face, we can rise above it.
-Anonymous
I would say one thing I love most and have embraced a lot is Black entertainment and different kinds of black arts such as poetry. I enjoy writing poetry inspired by poets like Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou.
-Justice Jones ‘26
I enjoy the sense of cultural boldness that comes with being Black. Black people have vast cultural and historical backgrounds all over the world that stand as a reference to most of the values and beliefs we hold as a people. There is always more than meets the eye when a Black person is seen. The African diaspora is widely spread around the world despite the fact that we all have different cultures within our communities, we can still come together to share that with one another.
-Chisom Nwosu ‘26
My favorite thing about being black is my melanin. I love the way it glows in the sun and I love my culture. The diversity, the food, the people. I love Africa’s unmatched natural beauty. As a proud citizen of Cameroon, I am constantly amazed by the diverse range of skin tones that grace our land, each one more captivating than the last. I am grateful to be blessed with such beauty
-Tracy Fokwang ‘25
I love the culture. You can click with anyone simply by our own experience, we are rooted
-Ama Agyekum ‘24
5. What is Black excellence for you?
Black excellence to me is us doing anything. From creating a small business to being a surgeon saving a life. Black excellence is so important to see from a young age because even though there are more people of color getting bigger positions in the world, there could be more. When you are younger, Black excellence is amazing to see because there are people who look like you, maybe doing something that you want to do when you grow up. I love seeing Black people on top and continuing to progress.
-Anonymous
Doing your best in whatever you're passionate about and rising above and beyond what people expect of you.
-Anonymous
Black excellence to me is dreaming big, aspiring to achieve one's goals and creating something that you can call your own to the best of your ability, not minding the limitations placed on you as a Black person.
-Chisom Nwosu ‘26
Black excellence to me means being resilient. Being able to overcome barriers, surpass expectations, and stereotypes. Defy the odds to grow and succeed despite challenges.
-Tracy Fokwang ‘25
Defying odds by doing the impossible. Taking up spaces in corporate America and making a space for ourselves.
-Ama Agyekum ‘24
6. What is something important you want non-Black people to know/be aware of?
I think something that non-Black people could be aware of is that it is okay to ask questions. I feel like most non-Black people just make assumptions about basically everything and they always jump to conclusions without even knowing what is going on. But they really need to get to know the story. Also they need to learn and respect our culture.
-Anonymous
We’re all people here. Don’t treat us differently than anyone else.
-Anonymous
One thing I would say to future Regis students of color is to just make sure you embrace who you are and not let yourself just fall into the common crowd. I would say one thing I love most and have embraced a lot is black entertainment and different kinds of black arts such as poetry. I want people who aren't black to consider that you don't know how it feels to be black the same way I don't know how it feels to be a race that's not my own. And that being considerate of another race and learning of their history and culture is the best way to understand them instead of using popularized false ideals, learning the actual truth.
-Justice Jones ‘26
Mind your word choices and actions when referring to or addressing Black people.
-Chisom Nwosu
Black people are not lazy – we are not dumb – the way our society is made to keep us at the bottom. We sleep at 12 in the morning and wake up too just to get where you guys are
-Ama Agyekum ‘24