As Black History Month comes to a close, Cal Poly’s Black Student Union continues to highlight the voices shaping and preserving Black history on campus.
Computer science sophomore Alexis Lytle serves as the African Diaspora Historian for the Black Student Union (BSU). Originally from Chicago, Lytle said her role focuses on documenting the organization’s history and uplifting the experiences of Black students at Cal Poly.
Lytle said preserving history within student organizations is essential, especially for communities whose stories are not always widely documented.
“Sometimes we grow up not really knowing where we come from, what our history is,” Lytle said, reflecting on her research into Black organizations at Cal Poly, which she said was both eye-opening and motivating.
One recent milestone in BSU history was the 2023 African Black Coalition Conference, hosted for the first time at Cal Poly. The event brought more than 800 Black students from across California to campus for a weekend of keynote speakers, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities. Lytle described the conference as a celebration of Black identity at a predominantly white institution and a moment of collective empowerment.
“It was so much fun to host over 800 African American students across California, and for one weekend, we got to have keynote speakers, we got to have gender roundtables, we got to network and really give back to our community while also celebrating being Black at PWIs,” Lytle said.
Black student unions across the country were originally formed as political statements. Lytle said that existing as a Black student on a predominantly white campus has historically carried political weight. Over time, BSU advocated for representation in programs such as African American Studies, Africana Studies and gender studies while also providing a safe space for students.
In documenting recurring themes within Black student experiences at Cal Poly, Lytle noted concerns about declining enrollment and retention. She said racial incidents and a lack of targeted recruitment and resources can contribute to a shrinking population, making it more difficult to maintain visibility and community.
Despite these challenges, Lytle emphasized the power of storytelling in shaping identity and sustaining momentum.
“If you don’t know your history, you’re doomed to repeat it,” she said.
For Lytle, Black History Month is not confined to February. She described Black history as something happening daily on campus, particularly for students who may be the only Black student in their major or class.
“We have people where they’re the only Black student in their major, the only Black student in their class every single day,” Lytle said. “You push yourself to be in these spaces, not just because you want to do it, but because it creates the doorway to invite more Black Students to come to Cal Poly, and that’s Black history itself.”
Organizations such as BSU and the Black Academic Excellence Center work to provide resources, mentorship and a sense of belonging for students navigating a predominantly white campus.
“The Black Alumni Association, they’re constantly trying to give back to us,” Lytle said. “They’re constantly hosting events for us, and they are giving us those networking opportunities so that we can have the chance to do whatever we want to put our minds to.”
Looking ahead, Lytle said she hopes future generations will view BSU as more than a social space. She envisions it as a foundation of support and motivation, a community that empowers students to thrive academically and personally while advocating for broader inclusivity on campus.
“When we are constantly fighting for ourselves, we’re fighting for anybody that needs that attention,” Lytle said.