Student Union Senate will establish a Black Caucus to advocate for black students and other underrepresented minorities, senators announced Tuesday.

The caucus, which will consist of black senators, was introduced by sophomore caucus member Tyrin Truong. The body will advocate for black students and other underrepresented minorities by: meeting with student groups and individuals to be good advocates; recruiting underrepresented students for SU initiatives and bodies; and serving as a channel of communication for underrepresented students and SU.

The Black Caucus will be chaired by sophomore Nia Plump. Sophomore Randal Walker will serve as deputy chair.

“For the past two years, all I’ve heard from the black community and other POCs is that SU doesn’t do anything for anyone—they talk about increasing diversity and starting initiatives, but then they actually don’t follow through with anything,” Plump said.

For Truong, starting the Black Caucus was related to the lack of representation within SU Senate and the problems that were caused as a result.

“I wanted to start the Black Caucus because when I joined senate a year ago, there were only two black people in Senate, and it was just a really hostile environment for black people within Student Union as a whole,” Truong said. “That was during the time with the Stockley verdict when SU didn’t release a statement about it. Then the Lil Dicky thing.”

The Black Caucus hopes to be a voice in the Senate for black students and other underrepresented minorities.

“For right now it’s just to do what Senate is already supposed to do, which is to advocate for black students and other students of color and other underrepresented communities,” Walker said. “[We’re] basically being a direct mouthpiece from students to the Senate about our concerns, what can be better. And most things run smoothly when people who look like you can help advocate for you.”

Walker hopes that students come forward to share their concerns and ideas to the Black Caucus.

“I just want to encourage students to really come forward with what they have to say because I think with us being one third of the body, it’s time to make your opinions known,” Walker said.