During his first week as a freshman on the Syracuse University campus, Jordan Pierre didn’t see many students of color at orientation events and club fairs. When he became an Orientation Leader the next year, he wanted to see change — and now, as a senior, he coordinated the first orientation event specifically for students of color and their interests.

“I don’t want to say it was all me — it started with my vision, but a lot of people helped me to create it (as a) reality,” Pierre said.

The Women’s Building field echoed with excitement on Thursday as the first ever Syracuse Orientation Fête progressed. Cultural organizations, social groups and professional societies filled the grass as students flocked from one table to the next.

Ahead of the event, Pierre was nervous. He wasn’t sure his efforts would produce the outcome he wanted because his goal of reaching students of color depended on everyone’s willingness to show up. But, slowly but surely, students arrived until the whole field was packed.

“People of color, we move on a certain time,” Pierre said. “We don’t come on time.”

One organization present was the Black Pre-Med Society, founded this year by president Zikora Nnam, a neuroscience and public health junior on the pre-med track. The society aims to connect students with similar aspirations as they navigate the challenging path to a career in medicine.

For Nnam, that sense of community was a top priority as she formed the group.

“It’s really just a space where people can feel uplifted and have a community,” she said. “Because in order to be in a profession this hard and this demanding, it’s really important that people are surrounded by other people that also have the same goals as them.”

The society isn’t limited to black students looking to start medical school one day, Nnam said. The organization is a safe place for any students in underrepresented groups who have an interest in entering the medical field.

But community can be found in many different pursuits in college. Sophomore Erin Adams found it in the Kalabash Dance Troupe, which had a table at the fête. In addition to being the first and only Caribbean dance team on SU’s campus, Kalabash frequently gives back to the community by hosting supply drives.

For Adams, Kalabash brought a sense of belonging, and she hopes others can experience it too.

“It’s hard to feel accepted at a PWI, especially as a Caribbean person,” she said. “So I think joining Kalabash and getting involved with our group (can bring about) a very family-like feel.”

The Caribbean Student Association attends and hosts countless events around campus throughout the year, including Caribfest and Black Lounge. Their biggest goal is to bring together students with similar backgrounds and provide them with a safe space and a family, senior and CSA president Jasper Wade said.

“Culture is such an easy denominator to bond with, and we hope to really remind people of their home through sharing food, having open discussions, parties, carnivals, j’ouverts, fashion shows and serving the community we come from,” Wade said.

Towards the end of the night, Pierre rallied attendees into a massive crowd, and the Black Reign Step Team dance group performed a lively routine.

When a spontaneous downpour descended on the field, the festivities didn’t stop. The crowd just ran to 119 Euclid, across the street from the Women’s Building, where music and conversation resumed.

Although he sees room for improvement in the Syracuse Orientation Fête, Pierre largely considers the first BIPOC orientation event a success. As a senior, he is putting his energy towards making sure future SU students of color can experience this event.

“As you get older, you need to make sure you’re building a blueprint for those who are coming after you,” Pierre said.

This new event is a move towards inclusivity on a large scale, but on a personal level, Pierre offered his words of wisdom as freshmen of color begin this next part of their lives.

“If I had to give a message to the first year and first generation students at this institution, I’d say first, I want you to understand that you’re of value,” Pierre said. “The second, I want you to understand that you belong. And third, I want you to understand that your voice matters.”

Published on August 28, 2022 at 10:53 pm