Sade Hill is an economics major and a member of the Texas Aggie class of 2018! She also is an exemplary leader in her position as the chair of Memorial Student Center’s Woodson Black Awareness Committee. The MSC Carter G. Woodson Black Awareness Committee (founded in 1969) was the first of its kind on campus and seeks to enhance the campus community’s multicultural experience by producing programs encouraging the exploration of African-American heritage and culture. The name (which was changed to its current title in 2004) is a tribute to Carter G. Woodson, one of the first scholars to study African American History, and is considered to be the father of black history and black history month as well, which began as “Negro History Week” in 1926.
Sade Hill leads her organization in fulfilling their own dreams and the values held by Woodson. The MSC WBAC does this by hosting educational programs that expose the students and campus community to black culture, history, and issues occurring both locally and globally.
HC TAMU: How did you first get involved with MSC WBAC?
Sade Hill: I first got involved in Spring of 2016 as a general committee member. The February 9th incident motivated me to want to get involved in the black community. Fortunately, the WBAC was there for me the WBAC for me and encouraged others who are still in WBAC to create this sort of safe-space for them to express themselves that we felt was necessary.
I wanted to be a part of a driving force on campus that was looking to hold people accountable, and not in a way that was aggressive, but assertive and necessary. The best way to do that and reach the masses we feel is to put on these educational programs about black concerns- not just black history.
So that’s where it all started. I was very vocal in our meetings, and I had opinions on just about everything! That’s what led me into a leadership position as being vice chair. I served as vice chair during 2016 summer and fall, and now I am Interim Chair.
HC TAMU: What programs have your organization hosted recently that you’re proud of?
The 10th annual MLK breakfast! I think it’s something I’m proud of because it the most well-balanced program we’ve had- and not just for the meal! The speaker, Ruby Bridges, was the first black student to integrate into white schools in the South. It came at the perfect time for us in our conversations on diversity and inclusion. To have her here was wonderful, as well as our spoken word artist Prentice Powell who touched on police brutality [and other black community concerns]. I know here in the college station area WBAC has been involved with the police department and trying to establish better relations with the police department, and so [what Powell spoke about] really came together well for reflecting on what we’ve been working on.
The Black History Month “More Talk About It” campaign was also received very well. We gave out t-shirts with different facts about significant people in black history, and people loved the idea and the designs. We hope to do it again next year.
HC TAMU: What have been some of your responsibilities as chair and vice chair?
Sade Hill: As Vice chair I was mostly overseeing what we here in the MSC call ‘development’. That was finances basically, going over budgeting and making sure we contact our sponsors so we can host our big events like MLK breakfast. I also kept an eye out to make sure our members were comfortable. Once [the fall 2016 chair] resigned I stepped up, and currently I am taking on the responsibility of both positions. I really am about the development of leaders and doing whatever I can do to make sure that my executive staff and general members are doing what they feel is their purpose. I always ask them “what is your vision for yourself here at A&M?” and want to see how I can help them get there.