If you’ve been following the local and national news coverage on President Wagner’s controversial comment, you’ll probably recognize this campus celeb! She was mentioned in the New York Times and was featured on the HuffPost live with Marc Lamont Hill. Despite all of this, she still has time to run Emory’s Black Student Alliance. Catch up with this week’s celebrity and my girl Jojo!
Name: Jovonna Jones (Jojo)
Year: 2015 baybeeee
Major: Philosophy
Fun facts: I love to sing…and make smoothies…sometimes at the same time.
Her Campus Emory (HCE): How did you become involved in BSA?
Jovonna Jones (JJ): I went to a few events, but I mostly got engaged because I’m passionate about our collective, rich identities as black people.
HCE: As a sophomore, were you worried upperclassmen weren’t going to be responsive to your leadership?
JJ: At first I was nervous. But, I was already really cool with a lot of upperclassmen, so they all showed a lot of support. Plus, many of them are getting themselves prepared for the post-college life, so hey, maybe it was a relief that a sophomore was leading instead. For the most part, people have been very encouraging though, and I’ve gotten great mentorship along the way.
HCE: Why was it important for you to lead the BSA in a new direction?
JJ: I felt like we were beginning to lose sight of the purpose of a Black Student Alliance. BSA is defined and expressed by the students. Whether or not you are on Exec, pay your dues, come to every event, etc., each unique individual defines what Black is. This year, we strived not only to unite as a community and celebrate our dynamic black culture, but to collaborate with other student groups as well. The more we can work interdependently with each other and with other students groups, the more we can cultivate a college environment that embraces curiosity, growth, and appreciation.
HCE: Do you have any plans for BSA’s future at Emory?
JJ: Everything, so many short-term and long-term goals. BSA will continue to promote unity, education, and celebration, yet we also want the organization to be a platform for individuals to voice themselves, be creative, and cultivate their passions. Eventually, we want BSA to be able to have a space to call home, and that is something we will be working to develop as we move forward.
HCE: Any events this semester for BSA?
JJ: Look out for the Black-Jew Dialogues Production (co-sponsored with Hillel), a BSA Field Day and Cookout, Brother-Sister Bonding Game-Night…there will be so much. Oh, and we have our BSA Weekly meetings every Thursday at 6:00, usually in the OMPS office. :)