The School of Visual Arts Black Student Union was founded in the 1960's and refounded in the Fall of 2014 out of the necessity to cultivate a sense of community amongst the Black students. The SVA BSU was refounded by co-presidents Tiffany Freeman and Akeilah Ivy, Bunmi Gbadebo, Gerald Sheffield, and Jasmine Andres.

​

We seek to serve students whose mission or identity are linked to the experiences of the African Diaspora–we are a cultural community with a socio-political intent and consciousness.

Through discussions, outings, events, community service, screenings, lectures, and conference attendance, we manifest this service. Our mission with these efforts is to create a sense of solidarity through and within the SVA institution and New York City community, respectively.

We also aim to provide supplementary education to enhance and inspire our storytelling as artists and visual communicators. Ultimately, we hope our members will transition into their professional lives applying the cultural, social, and political awareness learned while members of the Black Student Union. 

BSU