Black Caucus has been fighting to acquire a seat in student government since the early 1970s. This fight led to students sitting in at general assembly meetings and holding silent protests to combat the under-representation of the black voice in the student government at Penn State.

 

On March 28th, 2019, Black Caucus, after an outcry from the black community, was afforded the opportunity to elect their first community representative to the University Park Undergraduate Association, Edred Richardson. During his first year as the Black Caucus UPUA chair, he has worked immensely to advocate for the black community at Penn State and has helped pass legislation in the best interest of black caucus. This has included his work focusing on freedom of speech and condemning hate groups on campus, funding black graduation, and hitting the debate floor pertaining to issues concerning diverse communities.

 

The goal of the UPUA is to improve student life through the creation of student-led initiatives, university events, funding from the university, and resolutions in support of pertinent societal issues affecting students on campus. UPUA is structured very similarly to how the United States government is operated with an executive, legislative, and judicial branch. We look to utilize this seat to take action and create initiatives that aim to benefit students of color on campus. We are proud of how far we have come; however, the work towards improving the future of Black Caucus continues.