In December of 2012, growing student concerns sparked the formation of an ad-hoc committee designed to explore issues of race, gender, privilege, sexual violence, and oppression on campus. This committee, composed of student leaders, faculty, and administrators from Emory Campus Life, created an online form to gather student feedback, which resulted in two Emory-wide open discussion forums.

The creation of the Emory Black Student Union (EBSU) was a direct result and recommendation of the open dialogue and cooperation between the student community, Campus Life administrators, and the ad-hoc committee. The space is one of several recommendations that were included in the 2013 Compact for Building Inclusive Community at Emory. The EBSU was the solution proposed in response to a lack of community and programming space for the Black community. Campus Life and students acknowledged a series of challenging situations in the community and identified dedicated space as a key priority for best supporting black students at Emory.

The EBSU aims to improve race relations on campus and in the community by creating an environment that is receptive to Black culture and ideas. This environment is key to ensuring a successful academic and social college experiences for Black students, and successful communication with Black student organizations on campus. In addition to being a hub for Black cultural organizations, the EBSU serves as a space for all students across all organizations at the university and a place for cross-cultural dialogue. 

The Emory Black Student Union (EBSU) is an affinity space managed by the Office for Racial and Cultural Engagement, dedicated to Emory’s Black-identified community members. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni frequently use the space for educational and social programming, community building, studying, and meetings. The EBSU represents Campus Life’s steadfast commitment of ensuring an inclusive, equitable, and just environment that allows all members of our community to thrive at Emory. Visit the Office for Racial and Cultural Engagement’s Events tab to view upcoming EBSU programs.

The day-to-day operations of the EBSU are facilitated by a team of undergraduate student staff and an Office for RACE professional staff member. 

The EBSU hosts a variety of programs throughout the academic year. These programs are run by the EBSU student staff and are great ways to connect with Emory's Black community. The EBSU also partners with student organizations to co-sponsor programs. If you are a interested in partnering with our space for an upcoming program, please email us at ebsu@emory.edu.

Signature Programs

Motivational Mondays - stop by the EBSU on the first Monday of every month for a to-go treat and some good vibes 

EBSU Game Nights - kick off your weekend with our game nights twice a month in the EBSU

Black History Month Programming - during the month of February, the EBSU partners with groups across campus to celebrate and honor the histories of our Black community members

All EBSU reservations are governed by Meeting Services policies and must align with the EBSU mission. Please see Emory Student Center reservation policies.

The EBSU cannot approve reservations for non-Emory entities. If you are a non-Emory entity, consider collaborating with an Emory student group for your program/event. Contact Meeting Services for additional assistance at 404-727-1706.

If you are interested in reserving the EBSU, please email us at ebsu@emory.edu.