Community cultivation. Interpersonal interactions. Experience exchanges.
As a senior Orientation Leader, my co-leader and I introduced the transformative “Story Circles” workshop by Junebug Productions, to my 32 orientees. By creating a space for authentic sharing and emphasizing empathy, the experience allowed everyone to feel heard and validated, fostering a deep connection among the group.
Immersed in the diverse sounds of the black diaspora, I discovered a profound connection through the concept of musicking—a verb that encapsulates the ever-evolving, boundless essence of music. This revelation reached its height when I became part of Black Raspberry, Wesleyan’s inaugural all-black music collective, a transformative experience where harmonies blended, voices soared, and the shared love for creating music forged an unparalleled community. Beyond winning accolades, Black Raspberry became a sanctuary of creativity, freindship, and artistic growth, an indispensable part of my journey on campus that continues to resonate long after the applause fades.
In my senior year of high school, a red cardinal shared a moment of contemplation with me on the day I hesitantly accepted a full scholarship to Wesleyan. Once on campus, I found an unexpected connection with Wesleyan’s cardinal mascot. Little did I know that my senior year would see me donning the cardinal suit for the 2023 Welcome Ceremony, flapping my wings and dancing excitedly, an experience that set the stage for embracing the unexpected and taking risks throughout my Wesleyan journey.
For nearly a decade, I’ve navigated predominantly white institutions, often feeling isolated and unheard. It wasn’t until finding refuge in the Women of Color House at Wesleyan that I discovered a community that not only embraced me but empowered me to lead, eventually reviving the Women of Color Collective and orchestrating the triumphant return of the Student of Color Formal, cementing the importance of these spaces in fostering visibility, validation, and a lasting sense of belonging for underclassmen at Wesleyan.
