The MSU Black Book: 3rd Edition

Role: Team Leader

Duration: September 2023 – Present

Tools: WordPress, Adobe, Google Sheets & Google Form

Background: This guide takes inspiration from the historic Negro Motorist Green Book by Victor Hugo Green. For 30 years, the Green Book assisted Black travelers in safely navigating Jim Crow South while vacationing. Echoing the Green Book’s emphasis on safe, supportive places to stay, the MSU Black Book provides an extensive list of academic, social, and community resources, and is designed to welcome Black students (incoming and continuing) to campus.

image of the cover of The MSU Black Book with the tittle in black bold in a square at the top with the background of the campus map and textbooks in the middle. At the bottom it says 2nd edition and in a black bar at the bottom it says The Black Book Initiative.

Task: I am currently leading a team of Black undergraduate students and working with two faculty members to compile resources for the 3rd edition that will be reassessed the week of Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.

Process: I have developed a survey to connect with the Black MSU community to gather additional resources to showcase student business, organizations, and any other additional community resources. My team will then edit the content with additional sections. I am also developing a website to house all of the contents of the book in a digital format so that this content can be accessible to all students who may not have the physical copy of the book. My team and I will distribute the book throughout campus and to faculty and staff to increase Black students’ sense of belonging at MSU.