The School of Communication welcomed the Black Communication Association (BCA) in 2021. With the goal of exploring the Black experience in multimedia, BCA offers movie nights, literature discussions, and intentional conversations led by a group of invested students. BCA leadership aims to better help students understand Black culture and its representation in the media.
“BCA was created to be an organization created by Black people for Black people, and to connect everything we learn about communication studies into the Black experience,” said founder and president of BCA, Doniven Hill-Bush. “It’s a hub to understand how messages are utilized against Black people and our job is to help in deciphering those messages, discuss why they were created, and find ways to combat those messages.”
BCA is not just an organization that students have wanted. BCA has garnered immense support from Black faculty as well.
“BCA is an important organization as it centers the work on considering Black voices and scholarly thought on issues that are critical to not only communication studies, but for Black existence in the larger public culture,” said Dr. Byron Craig, former faculty advisor for BCA and professor in the School of Communication.
BCA came during a time when Black solidarity and community was needed. The protests in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd sparked outrage among Black students and Black issues were not critically discussed in classrooms. For the members of BCA, having a space to hold conversations about Black life was accepted with open arms. However, the organization is more than just a place to discuss.
Kaila Jones ‘23, one of the founding members of BCA, social media chair, and vice president, appreciated the organization’s duality. “The most memorable experience for me was when everyone would debate whether drums or flats was the better part of chicken wings,” Jones joked. Whether it was a silly debate or a serious conversation, BCA was a home to many.
BCA was founded by a group of Black students, all with the same goal in mind: to provide a safe space for Black students to discuss Black issues. Originally named the Black Students of Rhetoric, the group felt the name did not encompass everyone within the communication major, and wanted to ensure students of every COM major could participate.
The RSO takes the time to study literature, film, and other media. The organization took the time to hold discussions on shows and films like Boondocks, Intergalactic, and Atlanta. Outside of film discussions, BCA held an event called “Racism in the Classroom” where members were provided a safe space to share their experiences. BCA also plans a multitude of social events for members to enjoy food and games.
“We just love the idea of having a place to congregate, conversate and cultivate,” Hill-Bush said.
The Black Communication Association has worked hard to provide a warm and welcoming space for Black students, giving voice to everyone in the organization.
“Leadership isn’t just a one-person thing,” Hill-Bush said. “It’s something that’s a lot more nuanced, a lot more equal.”
BCA’s goal is to appeal to a wide array of individuals across campus. “Don’t let the name scare you away,” Jones said. “Even though it is a School of Communication organization, BCA is for every major! As a psychology major, I greatly benefitted from BCA and improved my communication skills.”
Despite being a newer organization, BCA will set a precedent for Black voices in the School of Communication.
“The work being done by Doniven Hill-Bush and other officers for BCA is essential to the mission and values of the School of Communication,” said Craig. “It is my hope that as BCA continues to grow, the organization will become an integral part of the school and have a voice in how it brings in and retains more African American students through programming and a curriculum that truly attracts this essential demographic.”
The Black Communication Association typically meets biweekly on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Fell Hall 125. For updates on the schedule for the upcoming year, you can find BCA on Instagram and Twitter. Students can also join BCA through RedbirdLife.
