This year, California Lutheran University’s Black Student Union and Sisters’ Circle have experienced significant growth in club awareness and active membership. On Monday, Oct. 4 Sisters’ Circle felt a huge victory when it was recognized as an official Cal Lutheran club as opposed to an affinity group. 

Maya Fleming, president of both Sisters’ Circle and BSU, said that COVID-19 contributed to increased involvement in BSU. 

“Now that people are back on campus, they are excited to be involved and they are more enthusiastic to put themselves out there,” Fleming said. 

On the other hand, COVID-19 also created hardship for the existence of Sisters’ Circle with a significant decrease of members attending on Zoom, Fleming said.  

“I am very proud of Maya especially for pulling through because it’s not easy seeing something you have envisioned for so long almost go under to seeing how great it is becoming now,” said Gbemi Abon, social media manager for both BSU and Sisters’ Circle.

Sisters’ Circle recently being recognized as a club was a big win for both communities and the school. With the new club funding, Abon said she is excited to implement workshops and have speakers come to Sisters’ Circle.

“It is just really humbling and groundbreaking,” Abon said. 

Fleming said that Sisters’ Circle is geared towards providing a comfortable space for particularly women of color to support one another and provide resources.

“Need for this was always present because not only are you dealing with being black but you’re dealing with being a woman,” Fleming said. 

Kaihya Thomas, vice president of Sisters’ Circle and BSU, said this year BSU has successfully become more organized as a whole.

“We have more people in the cabinets and have more of a collaborative effort between the two clubs because BSU isn’t BSU without the partnership with Sister Circle,” Thomas said. 

Abon said both clubs have a lot of momentum and strength this year because of the well rooted relationships between the cabinet members.  

“I think the dynamic of the cabinet members is very good because everyone is super passionate about the mission of BSU and Sisters Circle,” Abon said. “We really pride ourselves in doing this because we love our community and want better for every Black person or person of color on campus.”

Having these clubs become more developed and well known across campus is vital for the members involved.

“You can come to BSU and see people with similar cultures and backgrounds as you and you feel like what I am saying is not different or out of the ordinary, it is just from a different culture,” Thomas said. 

Abon said these two clubs provide a sense of community and safe place where you can be yourself. 

“It’s not always easy going to a predominantly white institution and always having people around you that don’t look like you and you being the minority,” Abon said. 

Fleming said both clubs aspire to achieve similar goals of longevity, community building, and just having fun together. 

“We do plan to do crossover events with other clubs on campus and try to bring all of our communities together because at the end of the day we are all marginalized and have our respected fights,” Fleming said. 

Thomas said the mission of BSU and Sister Circle both have been to build a community where people feel safe, represented, respected and heard. 

“We just want to reduce some of that culture shock and remind them of home whatever home may be for you,” Thomas said. 

The cabinet members hope to keep the momentum up.

“The main goal is prolonging the existence of these organizations and encouraging people to be excited to participate and join so that these organizations don’t die out,” Fleming said.