Loyola University New Orleans hosted an event commemorating and celebrating the making of Expression, the university’s first Black student organization, founded in 1968.
The unveiling of a plaque memorializing Expression symbolized the university’s acknowledgment of this significant history and its ongoing commitment to diversity and belonging. It served as a moment of remembrance, celebration, and a call to action, highlighting the struggles faced by the founding members, their resilience, and the lasting impact of their efforts on the university and its Black student population.
University President Xavier Cole, Father R. Bentley Anderson, S.J., faculty and alumni members, including three of the founding members of Expression, and current Black Student Union leaders reflected on the historical context of Expression’s formation in 1968 during civil unrest and segregation.
The Expression plaque was installed in the Palm Court, where Father Anderson blessed it.
Speakers highlighted the organization’s crucial role in fostering community, advocating for Black students on campus, challenging Loyola’s discriminatory practices, and paving the way for greater inclusion and the eventual establishment of the BSU.
The event served to honor the resilience and achievements of Expression’s founders, including its co-founder and president Ronald Nabonne, connecting past struggles to today’s challenges and inspiring current students to continue the fight for justice and equity on campus.
