Student-led initiative aims to restore nationally affiliated support system for students of color
By Daniela Tineo Gomez
Graphic By Logan Wolf
KU’s Black Student Union (BSU), supported by its advisors and the Multicultural Center (MCC), is working toward reestablishing a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter at KU this semester. KU has not had an active NAACP chapter in approximately a decade.
With this chapter and the ability to call on a national organization, BSU aims to provide more support, reinforcement, and resources beyond the campus community—especially when larger-scale aid is needed. After the initial reestablishment meeting, there will be regularly scheduled meetings to keep the group engaged and connected. The chapter will also convene when significant events occur.
Becoming a member does not limit students to KU; they also become national members who can get involved anywhere. The NAACP offers scholarships, national political engagement opportunities, networking, and professional growth, and encourages members to remain active in their communities.
“Though there are pockets of support throughout the university for students of color and underserved students, they often feel othered in this space as a whole,” Melinda Quiñones-Arias, director of Multicultural Services said. “Being part of an organization that has historically protected marginalized communities allows students to feel safe and supported, especially given today’s political climate.”
The last time an NAACP chapter was formed at KU was in 2006 after a student group organized a bake sale as a demonstration against affirmative action, varying the price of goods depending on the demographic of the customer. In the 2006–2007 academic year, this chapter was named Pennsylvania’s Best College Chapter of the Year, an honor presented by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs in conjunction with the NAACP’s Pennsylvania State Youth and College Division. Its last documented meeting occurred in 2015.
Conversations about bringing the chapter back began in Spring 2024, when BSU advisor Jazmine Lord and BSU president Jordan Mitchell approached Quiñones-Arias for guidance on how to proceed. Soon after, they invited representatives from the local Reading chapter to speak with them and provide direction. The group was able to begin the reestablishment process late in the Fall 2024 semester. Recruitment efforts included outreach to students from various organizations—including S.A.L.S.A., AIMS, and SISTERs—and speaking at events such as those held during the Ujima Conference.
In addition to submitting an application and fees to the NAACP, at least 25 committed students must sign up to become active members to officially reestablish the chapter. Once approved, a mandatory meeting will take place on campus, where the 25 members will attend, an executive board will be formed, and the Reading chapter will return to give its official “stamp of approval.” During this meeting, they will advise the group on development and explain how the chapter is expected to function on campus. The MCC will cover the cost of membership dues for these students for the first year.