“We talk about entering into communion with people, about humanizing the other, and about seeing human dignity in any scenario. Because American music is so connected to issues of race and class, it’s really what I’m studying all the time as a sociology major. And when I’m performing, music is how I experience human dignity most strongly.” - Sofia Burke '25, the 2024 Pops on the Heights soloist | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/SofiaBurke

"To me, caring for the whole person is a deeply felt value that I learned over time. [At Loyola University Maryland], we have a lot of shared values that resonate back to my days at Boston College. The commitment to equity and justice, impact and community, and this idea of care for the whole person lives within the way we enact our mission." - Afra Hersi, M.Ed. ’02, Ph.D. ’07, a Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development alumna who is now the Dean of Loyola School of Education | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/LynchAlumni_FormEd

"Afrofuturism is a concept that Professor Sam Bradley focused on and that I have begun to consider in my day-to-day work. That is: How do we take stock of where we are now so that we can predict where we might be going in the future? And so how can we think strategically around that to position ourselves to help our clients achieve optimal well-being? "I’ve found myself advocating for clients that might not be adhering perfectly to the program requirements and thinking first and foremost about what might happen to them if they were to leave here unprepared. I believe I have a mandate to seek the best outcomes for the people I’m charged with caring for. I’m working from a framework of not pathologizing my clients, but rather seeing them as humans first with a focus on how social conditions have affected their individual psyches." - Marcel McClain MSW '24, a clinical social worker at Volunteers of America and participated in Boston College School of Social Work's Black Leadership Initiative | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/MarcelMcClain

"Courage comes to mind when I think about Black History Month. It takes courage to take up space and fill it with pride and understanding of who you are and where you come from. Courage to take hold of opportunities that may have been curated without you in mind but are now your responsibility to fill as an ode to those who could not, and as an example to those who can. Courage to walk in your own personhood and brilliance in a way that shines beyond the color of your skin but simultaneously nurtures a sense of belonging in that skin." - Esther Udoakang '25 #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM Photo: Amanda Simpson '28

"The most important thing I learned was to value and understand the importance of family and community. I think Afrocentric social work really highlights the community aspect of healing and I try to honor that in my work with people with substance use disorders at The Dimock Center. Oftentimes, when people are leaving substance use or leaving people they used to use with, it’s hard to cut the cord. These people supported you, even if it wasn’t in the healthiest way—they were there for a reason and filled a need. So I really work on helping people honor the idea of who those supportive people were and what they represented while also reminding them that staying around them might not be the best idea for their long term health and well-being." - Jamelia Willock MSW '24, who was part of the Boston College School of Social Work's Black Leadership Initiative program | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/JameliaWillock

"Being in the Cape Verdean Student Association greatly furthered and solidified my Black experience at Boston College. All my life, I attended schools with very few Black people, let alone Cape Verdeans; many people did not know what the country was. I felt my connection to the culture was very limited. Between CVSA and my time at BC, especially my PULSE placement in which I work with children from a major Cape Verdean population, I have connected with other Cape Verdeans and learned more about my culture. Being around many people like me has been amazing and helped me regain some confidence in being Black, which I feel I had lost. "I love CVSA because of the people. Everyone in the club has different experiences. Some are like me, who did not know many other Cape Verdeans before BC, and others grew up in strong Cape Verdean communities or even immigrated from the country. Our different experiences allow us to learn about various aspects of being Black in this country that we could have missed without each other. This is what makes our bond so strong. "To me, Black History Month celebrates all the amazing commitments made to society by Black individuals. Whether in fields like music, sports, activism, or just working to improve their community, Black people have made significant impacts that should not go unnoticed." - Andrew Thompson '27 #BlackHistoryMonth Photo: Amanda Simpson '28

"Black Christian Fellowship has been one of the spaces where I’ve truly felt the presence of community and love at Boston College. Every meeting, I walk away having learned something new, whether it’s about different Black cultures across the diaspora, faith, food, language, or just life in general. It has been a constant reminder of home, a place where I can be my full, authentic self and connect with people who understand me in different ways. Being Black is an honor to me. It means I’m part of a powerful history, a legacy of strength and resilience which I hope to carry on in my lifetime. It also means I get to enjoy some of the best food, music, and culture the world has to offer because Black culture is a whole experience." - Tracy Aggrey-Ansong '25 #BlackHistoryMonth Photo: Amanda Simpson '28

“Sometimes we have to recognize that we may not have the words or imagery to envision the world in other ways. However, by taking an [Africa and African Diaspora Studies] class, a student has accepted an invitation to learn about other perspectives. "Sometimes the impact of historical events we never heard of are hidden in plain sight all around us, all around the world. In the end, AADS courses teach about more than what happened in the past; our courses give students the tools to enact change in their own ways for their own futures.” - Lorelle Semley, History Professor and Boston College's African Student Organization Director | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/AADSDirectorSemley

“At many universities, there is a real divide between living and learning. At Boston College, we make sure the quest for meaning and purpose extends beyond the classroom, creating spaces where students can engage in intellectual exploration and personal growth throughout the campus." - Chris Higgins, a Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development Professor and author of "Undeclared: A Philosophy of Formative Education" | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/Undeclared

“It is time for us to engage our imagination with generosity of mind and heart, and to reconsider the audacity of Christ Jesus, who as a faithful Jew challenged the laws that oppressed and ostracized and diminished value. Do we have the audacity, the chutzpah, to challenge the oppressive laws of institutions who don't listen, who don't see, and who say, wait, give us some more time?" “We must be willing to be present to the lonely. We must be willing to listen to the brokenhearted, to heal the wounds that lie beneath the surface of our skin. Because to be a bridge between empire and barrio, you must be a lover of Christ. So my friends, fall in love and be the kind of bridge that manifests the kin-dom of God in the here and now.” - Elsie Miranda '95, director of diversities at The Association of Theological Schools, and this year's recipients of the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry Alumni Distinguished Service Award | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/ElsieMiranda

“I want someone to see our brown faces on the screen and feel proud of who we are as a people. To see all the challenges we’re faced with in the world and to know that there are Filipinos who speak up, who fight for justice, who are heard and who are seen.” - Marissa Aroy ’95, a filmmaker who will debut her latest project at the Smithsonian | READ MORE in Boston College Magazine: https://on.bc.edu/DirectorsChair

“It was truly the opportunity of a lifetime. As an undergrad international relations major and now a law student specializing in human rights and environmental law, I’ve been following COP for as long as I can remember. Attending, I could actually envision my role in this field. The most meaningful aspect was sharing this experience with my fellow delegates, who each brought their unique voice to our discussions. Being a part of this delegation reinvigorated my passion for climate justice and introduced me to some of BC’s best.” - Sangeeta Kishore, Boston College Law School student and member of the BC delegation to COP29 | READ MORE: https://on.bc.edu/BCatCOP29