Rider bolsters Black business owners on campus
By Jasmine White
THE Black Student Union hosted its annual Black Business Expo in the Student Recreation Center on Feb. 25 to bring more exposure to the beauty of Black-owned businesses. The tablings consisted of students who showed off their talents through colorful crochet accessories to bubbly beaded jewelry.
BSU is an organization on campus for any Black student that hosts events and programs. They collaborate with other Black organizations on campus in an effort to bring in more possible members and spread their positive initiatives to support anyone in the Rider community.
Desiree Pitt, a senior business administration major and president of BSU, sought to host this event in a student populated area to unveil the talents of her and her fellow peers. She expressed the importance of bringing more attention to Black businesses, as well as student-owned platforms.
Kendall Grant, a junior organizational psychology major, showed off a plethora of her crocheted trinkets such as potion bottles. (Destiny Pagan/The Rider News)
“I just wanted to get Black businesses out there because we don’t have a lot of representation and we’re typically small businesses, so I feel like it’s important for people to stop by,” Pitt said. “I just wanted the businesses to be visible.”
Pitt showed off her crocheted merchandise that included a plethora of hats, headbands, bags and accessories to go on the band of any pair of headset headphones.
“I’ve been crocheting for about a year and a half. I love it because it’s really just a hobby to be with yourself,” Pitt said.
While attending a predominantly white institution, Pitt expressed that her job as president of BSU is to create a safe, welcoming environment for Black students to uplift the Black community.
“I wanted to become president of BSU because being a part of Black organizations at a PWI is very important,” Pitt said. “I wanted to be in that role [of president] and be in that space for black students on campus because there aren’t a lot of spaces for us at a PWI. It is really important for my organizations to be visible and for people to know that there is a space for them.”
Kendall Grant, a junior organizational psychology major, found her home as a general member of BSU. She tabled at the event, showing off her diverse collection of crocheted trinkets, Minnie Mouse ear headbands and hair pieces for all. Grant has been crocheting for the last two years and explained that she is continuing to perfect her craft.
Grant emphasized the impact that BSU has had on her over the course of her academic career at Rider University, upon transferring here in fall 2024 from Rowan College of South Jersey.
“I just think it’s very nice to have a community, and I find it very enjoyable,” Grant said. “I’ve met a couple of my good friends through it [BSU].”
Grant expressed that BSU allowed for her to network with people and find a welcoming space to be part of at the university. Upon building connections with peers and fellow BSU members, she is looking forward to all the organization has in store for the future.
“I’m hoping to see more people join and be excited about it,” Grant said.
The BSU also invited a former Rider student to be a part of the tabling event. Adama Dieme, a sophomore theater arts major at Hudson Community College in Jersey City, New Jersey, was a general member of the BSU during her freshman year.
Dieme explained that the BSU offered an easy transition into the university setting upon graduating highschool. She loved the idea of having a community on campus that supported young Black men and women during their academic endeavors.
“[My freshman year] was very nice through the club,” Dieme said. “I attended different events and there was even a moment where I hosted my own workshop, not only for the African Student Association, but also for BSU.”
Dieme, owner of Beaded Beauty, tabled for her beaded jewelry. She sold bracelets and waist beads and emphasized the necessity to support small Black owned businesses, especially that of students.
“As a full-time student and a full time worker, it’s hard balancing things like this,” Dieme said. “Wearing multiple hats not only in business, but also being a full time student, requires a lot of patience, but it’s something that I’m willing to invest in.”
Students took time to see the talents of their fellow peers and some went the extra mile and purchased from the tables.
The BSU plans to incorporate more student-engaged events, including movie nights and social gatherings to continue to strengthen and build the Black communities on campus.
