The Black Student Union at DePaul University will transform the Student Center into a casino-style celebration on Feb. 27, aiming to bring Black students together for an evening of connection, community and Black History Month celebration.

The event will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Student Center 120 A/B. The gala is being held in collaboration with the DePaul Activities Board.

“For Black History Month, we’re really just about making sure that the community feels like they have a place to just be themselves,” said Janiya Garner, president of BSU. “We’ve been trying to make sure that we are catering toward the community and making sure people’s wants and needs are being met.”

Garner emphasized the role of campus partnerships in making the event possible.

“We’re very grateful for the DePaul Activities Board and their collaboration,” Garner said. “Their support has helped us bring this event to life in the way we envisioned it.”

Garner said the gala has become a winter quarter tradition. The event first launched in 2023 following the Covid-19 pandemic and has continued annually.

Planning for the event began in late October. The executive board first narrowed down theme ideas before presenting three options for the general body to choose from.This year’s “Casino Night” theme was selected through a voting process that included both the executive board and general body members.

“As BSU president, I wanted us to be more collaborative within the board and within our general body,” Garner said. “We made a Canva with inspiration pictures for the themes we wanted, and then we voted on the top three for the general body to pick from.”

Other preparations include coordinating food, decorations, a DJ, and completing funding paperwork and sourcing materials.

“The harder part was figuring out funding forms and making sure we were on top of everything,” Garner said. “We were looking everywhere trying to figure out where to get what we needed for the best price.”

In addition to students, BSU is inviting Black staff and faculty to attend.

“Sometimes, especially as a Black student, it’s hard to make those connections,” Garner said. “Having Black staff and faculty there is something I really wanted so we can all feel represented and feel that community.”

For student leaders and members, BSU plays a broader role in shaping their campus experience as Black students.

“I wanted to get more involved with Black people on campus, because this is a predominantly white institution,” said Imani Hill, secretary of BSU. “I thought I would take initiative with being on a board.”

Hill said general body meetings include a segment called “shameless plugs,” where students promote businesses, creative work or campus involvement.

“You get to find out all of the people who are involved in the community,” Hill said. “You can support Black students.”

Omari Brooks, BSU’s membership and outreach coordinator, said he joined the organization to help strengthen the presence of Black student voices at a predominantly white institution and connect students to campus spaces.

“I wanted to be a part of the community and also help the community,” Brooks said. “Since this is a PWI and we have a small number of Black students, I wanted to inspire those who might not know about BSU or haven’t attended events.”

Brooks said BSU was one of the first spaces where he felt comfortable as a freshman.

“We played games, introduced ourselves and built connections,” Brooks said. 

Leaders said they hope Casino Night strengthens students’ sense of belonging. Additional information about the event and BSU is available through the organization’s social media pages.

“DePaul is a commuter school, so it’s always difficult to make friends and get to know people,” Garner said. “I want the gala to feel like, at least for those couple hours, we’re all one. We are community here.”

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