San Marin’s Black Student Union (BSU) was founded in the fall of 2024 and focuses on uniting all students.
Drawing inspiration from other anti-racist clubs and Black Unions, BSU was created to improve San Marin’s community and make it more inclusive.
Senior Rayhan Syed presented the idea to theNovato Unified Student District (NUSD) School Board along with his co-founders because he wanted to create a community within San Marin where students could feel like they belong.
It is designed tobe a strong support systemand close friend group. He encourages all students, regardless of grade or race, to join.
“We wanted a place where people could have a community to kind of fall back on,” Syed said. “Even if your friends don’t pull up to your game, we’ll pull up, like that kind of thing: that support system.”
San Marin’s BSU members have worked with Antwon Williams and Caley Keene in the Wellness Hub to encourage more students to join.
The new club started with a few upperclassmen leaders and has focused on gaining attention around campus. They have worked with the Wellness Hub to reach a broader audience and to personally connect with more students.
Part of BSU’s goal is to change San Marin’s reputation. In 2022, San Marin’s football players were accused of calling Black students from other schools racial slurs.
San Rafael City Schools, the Tamalpais Union High School District, and the San Mateo Union High School District all made formal complaints to the district.
Previous superintendent Jan La Torre-Derby confirmed these allegations in a statement published on NUSD’s website in 2022.
“The investigation sustained the common allegations and found that there is credible evidence that three to four SMHS students used racial epithets towards opposing team members,” La Torre- Derby explained in her letter.
These complaints were taken seriously and a lot has been done consequently to stop the racist behavior. BSU works not only to fight these behavioral issues but also to improve the overall campus atmosphere.
“I personally joined BSU because I wanted a change in San Marin’s reputation, especially in the athletics and classroom environment at San Marin,” senior Nelly Grasso said.
Grasso has enjoyed working with her peers this year by setting the foundation for this anti-racist club around campus.
BSU created informational posters during February for Black History Month and will continue to put up posters for the rest of the year.
San Marin students can join BSU on Mondays at lunch in the Wellness Hub and show their support by following them on social media and interacting with their events.
