Julian Grimes, a Kent State junior, is president of Black United Students (BUS) and is working to keep the organization thriving. BUS is one of Kent State’s oldest student organizations and is credited for starting the formal observance of Black History Month in 1970, six years before it received an official federal designation. It is a large legacy for any student to carry forward, and Julian is keenly aware of the historic magnitude of BUS at Kent State and the responsibility on his shoulders.
“I tell people Kent State is an amazing school,” he said, noting how, as a predominantly White university, Kent State extends great support to its Black student population. “Kent State does a great job with holding and supporting Black United Students and giving us the respect that we need to make sure that we can help our students and help our community.”
Black United Students identifies relevant issues and initiates appropriate action in order to reduce or eliminate any impediments to students and their continued well-being and matriculation. This is accomplished by providing educational, cultural, and social programs and activities that relate to the past, present and future goals and aspirations of Black people.
The organization also provides enriching experiences and assures the continuing development of a progressive environment that is conducive to Black students in their quest to obtain a quality and meaningful education. BUS is one of more than a dozen Black student organizations on campus but is the only one specifically organized to deal with the administration on university issues that affect Black students.
A visual media production major, Julian arrived at Kent State in 2021, and through his time spent at the E. Timothy Moore Student Multicultural Center, learned about BUS and its headquarters in Oscar Ritchie Hall, a building named for Kent State’s first Black faculty member.
He first got involved in BUS as part of a talent show which coincided with his goal of creating his own production company. “The Cycle,” a play about the life of a Black man in America and how to break out of the cycle, won first place and secured Julian’s connection to BUS. “I wanted to be more involved,” he said. He later took a spot on the BUS executive board, serving as treasurer, and in May 2023, was elected president for the current academic year. His goal is to get re-elected to a second term as president in May.
“I have always wanted to be a leader,” he said, “I wanted to be the guy in the big chair. By God’s grace, I won.”
One of Kent State’s guiding principles is ensuring that we put “students first in all we do.” That means offering the best resources and programming - like BUS - to address the wide variety of student needs across the eight campus system.
Most of these programs and support services have costs that are not provided through state funding. We depend on philanthropic support from our alumni, donors, employees and friends to ensure these programs exist and, most importantly, serve the students who need them most. Philanthropy supports a wide variety of needs including scholarships, programs and operations that propel our students on toward graduation.