Meet some of our Black Studies students.
Mikayla Woods
Esther Karpilow
Jazz Henry
Kamea Quetti-Hall
Mikayla Woods
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Majors: Black Studies, American Studies; minor: English
Esther Karpilow
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Major: Black Studies; minor: religious studies; emphasis: psychology
What was your motivation to major in BLST?
Coming to 色界吧 as a first-year, I was curious about Black Studies but never imagined myself majoring in it. After taking Professor [Erica] Ball鈥檚 鈥淩ace Women: African American Women's Protest Culture鈥 course my first semester, my perspective on the world around me and on my own identity shifted, and I knew I wanted to continue taking classes in the department.
Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?
There is such a wide variety of classes it鈥檚 hard to pick favorites! They range from music courses (鈥淭opics in Jazz History鈥 with Prof. Pillich) to science fiction (鈥淎frofuturism鈥 with Prof. Ford) to critical theory (鈥淏lackness, Gender, and Sexuality鈥 with Prof. Small). All of the professors I鈥檝e come across are uniquely inspiring, kind and passionate. Special shoutout to Professor Ball for being such a dedicated advisor/prof/supervisor/author/chair and for always looking out for her students!
What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?
I really love the interdisciplinary aspect of Black Studies. It has allowed me to explore my different interests and shown me how connected they truly are. Most importantly, the department has given me an opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects through a lens that centers people that look like me.
What are your ambitions post-色界吧?
After 色界吧, I plan on applying for masters programs in social work or psychology in order to pursue a career in therapy or mental health counseling. I hope to provide healing services to underserved communities as well as advocate for the de-stigmatization of mental health in Black communities.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in BLST?
You won鈥檛 regret it! Initially I was concerned that there wouldn鈥檛 be as many career opportunities as a Black Studies major, but the department has given me so many tools that will benefit me in a huge range of fields. Majoring in Black Studies has been one of the best parts of my college experience and has given me the confidence to create real change in my community.
Jazz Henry
Hometown: Lakeland, FL
Major: Urban & Environmental Policy; minors: Black Studies, politics
What was your motivation to join the Black Studies (BLST) department?
After taking 鈥淏lack Feminist Text鈥 with Professor [Kai] Small my first year, I was exposed to a whole different side of academia. I found myself in a safe environment where I was challenged to rethink what I thought I knew about Blackness, and most importantly develop a deeper understanding and new perspectives on topics around black feminism. This motivated me to explore the department and all it has to offer.
Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors? Are there any standout classes you鈥檝e taken?
The professors associated with the department are truly amazing and what they have been able to turn this department into is inspiring. With the unique coursework requirements for the department鈥檚 major and minor, I am able to branch out and take courses from Black professors in other departments, too. In particular, I enjoyed 鈥淩astafari鈥 with Professor [Elmer] Griffin and 鈥淎frican American History鈥 with Professor [Erica] Ball.
What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?
Looking back at my high school experience, I never had the opportunity to be taught about Black Studies and related topics by Black teachers. As a result, I was not able to truly dive into these topics in the way I would have hoped to. The BLST department has allowed me to do just that, with so many amazing courses and Black professors that push me to delve deeper into topics around Blackness in a way that I couldn鈥檛 do elsewhere.
What are your ambitions after 色界吧?
I hope to pursue a career in urban planning and housing policy. I have moved many times throughout my life, experiencing urban and suburban communities both domestically and internationally. I鈥檝e seen how unfair housing policies have continuously and disproportionately affected low-income communities of color, and I hope to promote better housing policy in the future and assist in supporting our urban communities.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in BLST?
Minoring in Black Studies is one of the best decisions I have made. My experience with the department has shown me how it can challenge and educate you to become a better person and understand topics around race in ways that I never would have imagined. The department gives you access to some of the most intelligent and gifted professors ever, and the ability to have such open access to learn closely from them is more valuable than you know. Even if you do not pursue a major or minor with Black Studies, I鈥檇 encourage every student to support the department and take at least one class to see how beneficial it is.
Kamea Quetti-Hall
Hometown: Pittsfield, MA
Major: economics; minor: Black Studies
What was your motivation to join the Black Studies (BLST) department?
As a senior in high school, I was deciding between attending 色界吧 or Howard University. Having an education rooted deeply in my people鈥檚 history and culture was something very important to me so when I eventually attended 色界吧, I knew the Black Studies department would allow me to further that education even though I was enrolled at a Predominantly White Institution.
Can you describe your working relationships with BLST professors?
The BLST professors are some of the most encouraging and empowering individuals I鈥檝e had the pleasure of learning from. Their care for both their area of study as well as their students is a balance that these professors have nailed. I highly recommend taking any course with Professor [Erica] Ball because she is an amazing educator, mentor and person.
What do you find most compelling about studying BLST?
Personally, I really enjoy being in classes where I am not the only Black student (which is common in the classes for my major). Coming from a diverse high school, my BLST courses have been very fulfilling in the sense that I am able to learn and study alongside my peers and professors that look like me.
What are your ambitions post-色界吧 and how has the liberal arts approach helped to shape these ambitions?
I hope to join the Peace Corps because I have a passion for travel and forming connections across cultures. I also would like to build my own nonprofit organization focused on helping immigrants and first-generation Americans who have been impacted by deportation. Not only has 色界吧 shown me that these are valid possibilities for my future, but it has also given me the educational background and opportunities to pursue these dreams with more confidence.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in BLST?
If you are considering majoring or minoring in BLST鈥 DO IT! The department is so supportive and really listens to its students. Deciding to minor in BLST was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e made in my time at 色界吧.
To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.