Black African American Cultural Center by Samantha

Black African American Cultural Center by Samantha - March 2026 Scholarship Essay

"We asked 100 Black people to name five Black women historical leaders." With a quickness, I press the red button, yelling, "Rosa Parks," and hearing "ding, ding, ding" brought such excitement to me and my team. Playing Black Family Feud with the Black African American Cultural Center (BAACC) and their other events always felt less like a campus event and more like a family reunion. In our space we share something more than shared history, but instead we share the lively experiences and celebrations that reinforce my identity every time I socialize in BAACC.

BAACC is more than just games and laughter, even though there's a lot of that, but it also serves as a sanctuary for education and emotional growth. I often find myself going to BAACC to do homework and receive mentorship. The center gives me a place to recharge, while many info sessions happen where they call it "real talk," which is a place where students, staff, and faculty are welcome to share their voices in a variety of relevant discussions about the African Diasporic experience. Or other days when we have a healing week where I get to do activities with others that help during the stressful times of college. These experiences give me the chance to translate my storytelling skills into leadership, surrounded by people who understand what it's like to be a Black professional in tech and the arts.

I put in effort into being a contributor in the BAACC community. By contributing to the events, healing week, and office job positions, I help BAACC continue to grow and expand. Leading to incoming freshmen gaining a lively experience within their community just as I did. I realized that being a part of BAACC means ensuring that everyone feels like they fit in. Whether that's participating as a mentor for incoming freshmen or simply helping out in one of the events, it ensures everyone gets the same opportunities and wisdom I gained through BACC and shared experiences. BAACC is important to me, as it proves success is a collaborative effort. We all aren't just pursuing degrees but building a network of support that will last beyond the college experience.

Overall, BAACC is the bridge between my culture and my future goals. I learned business is more than selling products and gaining a profit but also creating an environment where people are comfortable being themselves and pushed to be a greater version of themselves as well. As my college experience moves forward, I carry the lessons taught to me by BAACC and am committed to continuing the family reunion environment in every professional space I enter.