For nearly six years, Black Student Union has served as an inclusive, encouraging environment for students to discuss current issues and engage in community-building activities around North Atlanta High School. Its promotion of activism, leadership, and organizational skills has brought a wide range of students together. Now its members are taking the next step: collaborating with other culture clubs. BSU is currently setting up partnerships with the Chinese Culture Club, Arabic Club, and Indian Club. What do they have to say about this new change?

    While BSU is open to collaborating with any NAHS clubs, it is currently focused on reaching out to other culture clubs. Members hope that by doing so, all the clubs will experience more diversity and appreciation. The already strong community foundation will only get stronger with more students interacting and sharing experiences. Senior Bailey Lynch, president of Black Student Union, is looking forward to partnering with the other clubs. “Collaboration provides appreciation and understanding, but also highlights room for growth,” she said.

    Lynch is not the only one who is excited. The other culture clubs have responded enthusiastically, being quick to accept the new partnership. They share the same vision of diversifying and hearing new perspectives. They also expect to have enhanced meeting activities that reflect their different traditions, sharing their cultures with each other. Overall, the clubs want to foster a strong sense of friendship and belonging by creating more opportunities to bond with one another. Kadijah Felder-Patterson, a sponsor of BSU, believes that encouraging discussion and open-mindedness is essential. “Crafting an environment catered to being a safe space is crucial for the growth of society,” she said.

    One activity that is currently being planned is a Clubsgiving. This event will feature food and activities from all the culture clubs, promoting diversity and inclusivity at North Atlanta. In addition to serving as a fun activity that students can enjoy, Clubsgiving is also intended to be a space to consider different cultural ideas and values, embodying the spirit of embracing one another and forming a stronger sense of empathy between people of different backgrounds. Lynch sees the upcoming Clubsgiving as an important step in the future of the clubs’ partnership. “I am most excited about expanding knowledge of the diversity at NAHS,” she said.

   All in all, these new partnerships are sure to bring a new unification and enthusiasm to the North Atlanta hallways. These clubs have a bright future of inclusivity and intercultural understanding ahead of them.