For most incoming students, the summer before college is an exciting blur of family celebrations, dorm shopping, social media stalking, and endless conversations about what the future might hold. A new chapter begins to unfold right in front of you, and everything seems bright and hopeful. 

However, as classes begin and we get deeper into the semester, this novelty fades, and reality sets in. For Black students, that reality may come as a culture shock or a sudden realization of what it means to be attending a predominantly white institution. 

As you navigate WashU, hold tightly to who you are. Do not shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Do not soften your voice because it carries a perspective others are unfamiliar with. Do not trade away pieces of yourself in exchange for acceptance. 

You may find yourself in classrooms where no one shares your experiences. You may hear micro- or macroaggressions that leave you wondering if you should speak up or let them pass for social safety. You may encounter moments that make you feel hypervisible one day and invisible the next. When these moments come, allow yourself grace. 

Do not let difficult interactions, uncomfortable classroom discussions, or even institutional shortcomings define your entire experience before you’ve had the chance to fully live it. The “college experience” is not built in a day, and neither is your community. Give yourself time to find your people, whether that takes a few months or a whole year. 

There may be moments when racism reveals itself openly. There may be moments when you feel disappointed by the institution of WashU itself. Those experiences are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged, but they should never convince you that your identity is a burden. 

The things that make you different are often the very things that make you valuable— your culture, your history, your perspective, and your voice. These are things you should carry proudly wherever you go, and there are spaces on campus where these aspects of yourself can be supported and embraced.  

WashU is home to a vibrant Black community that creates spaces for connection, celebration, and belonging. Organizations such as Black Anthology provide opportunities to experience powerful performances that showcase Black stories, voices, and talent. The Association of Black Students welcomes students through events like its annual cookout and continues to foster community throughout the year. The African Students Association celebrates the cultures, traditions, and diversity of countries across the African continent through programming that educates and brings people together. Caribbean-American Student Association is a space for all Caribbean-American students to embrace their culture and identity. Black Men’s Coalition and Black Women and Femmes Collective provide spaces for Black students to connect. They are reminders that Black students have built community here long before your arrival, and that there is a place for you within these communities and an opportunity for you to better them. 

At a time marked by political uncertainty and social division, your voice is needed more than ever. It is needed in classrooms. It is needed in student organizations. It is needed on executive boards, in community meetings, and in the pages of Student Life. Never underestimate the value of your perspective. The experiences you bring with you were shaped by your family, your neighborhood, your culture, and the communities that raised you. Those experiences allow you to see problems differently, ask different questions, and imagine better solutions. WashU does not become a stronger campus when students leave parts of themselves at the door. It becomes stronger when students bring their full selves into every room they enter. 

So as you begin this journey, know that there will be challenges. There will be moments of frustration, uncertainty, and growth. There will also be friendship. There will be laughter. There will be opportunities you never expected and memories that stay with you long after graduation.

Most importantly, there will be community. So to every incoming Black student: Welcome, and make this place your home.