The bond that Bryn Mawr girls have with each other is deeper than friendship—it’s sisterhood. Bryn Mawr’s Black Student Union (BSU) Leaders Kayla Evans ‘19, Adia Hill ‘19 and Niala Kutcherman ‘19 have experienced this firsthand during their time at Bryn Mawr, and are making it their mission to spread that message to younger students.

On Monday, January 11, Evans, Hill and Kutcherman hosted a BSU sponsored event, Have a Seat at Our Table, to bring together African American students in grades four through twelve. The event was planned as a celebration to kick off Black History Month with snacks, games, dancing and more. Evans says they wanted to host an event specifically designed to get African American students, teachers and staff across divisions in the same room and at the same table to connect, teach and support one another. “I’ve been here since sixth grade and I’ve never been to an event like this one,” Evans said. “I think it’s hard when everyone is in their own divisions doing their own things, but it’s nice to get everyone to connect and get to know one another.”
The BSU leaders worked closely with Talia Titus, director of global programs and diversity, to ensure that the event would provide something meaningful to girls from all divisions. “When Ms.Titus brought this idea to us, it resonated with me because my older sister went here, and she really supported me and gave me a lot of wisdom throughout my journey at Bryn Mawr,” Kutcherman said. “I really want to give that to the younger girls so they know that there are people here who share similarities with them and are here to support them like my sister did for me.”  
Hill says making sure each girl feels supported is something she is passionate about because of her own Bryn Mawr experience.“When I first came to Bryn Mawr, I struggled because it was just really different here, especially coming from public school.” Hill said. “When you are in the minority, you sometimes feel the burden of being responsible for speaking for your whole community. That’s why affinity spaces are so important so you know you’re not alone. There's just a strength that comes from being around people who understand you and look like you and have the same issues you have.”

Evans noted that although affinity spaces are a chance for minority students to feel a sense of community, other people can feel excluded.“Sometimes people who are not Black say they don’t always feel like they can come to our meetings or events because they feel like they’re intruding, but that should not be the case,” Evans said. “BSU is an affinity club, but it is also an ally club and anyone is welcome. It is an opportunity to learn something new and support your classmates who may be having a difficult time because of an aspect of their identity.” Hill echoed Evans saing, “Today, we have members of BSU who are of many ethnicities, races and cultures, and they come to meetings to participate and sometimes just listen, but it is so important to have their voices present. It just makes the conversation more meaningful and it is as much for us as it is for them.”

Meaningful conversations were at the heart of Have a Seat at Our Table. The BSU leaders led discussions about friend group struggles, sisterhood and their classroom experiences, sharing personal anecdotes from their time at Bryn Mawr. Evans shared how having a mom who also attended Bryn Mawr has shaped her experience. “My mom’s class, the class of ‘98 and the 3 classes that were in Upper School at the same time were all so close. My godmother is a Bryn Mawr graduate too, and sometimes I come home and there are random people there who went to Bryn Mawr, so I think that’s always been a constant reminder for me of how important the relationships you build here are,” said Evans. Hill agreed saying, “Sometimes when I see Lower School girls and their besties on the playground, I get emotional because I didn't think I was going to have that here. I’m so grateful for Kayla and Niala and the sisters I found here, and I just want to make sure every girl at Bryn Mawr has that.”
Kutcherman reflected on how she not only values the connections they’ve made with other students, but with faculty members as well. “When faculty and staff showed up to the event, it was really meaningful because I’d never really considered them as part of my support system before, but they are also here to see us through,” Kutcherman said. “It was empowering to see that Bryn Mawr has Black faculty members, and it is so important to have diversity in staff as well as students because as a student it is nice to also have teachers that look like me.” Hill echoed Kutcheman saying, “I’m thankful to everyone who came out for the event because it was after school and they didn't have to come, but people like Ms.Titus and Ms.Rice really show up for us, and it really means the world to us.”
Evans, Hill and Kutcherman say that because of the positive feedback they received from parents about Have a Seat at Our Table, they are now working to organize more cross divisional events. “What was most meaningful for me was when a mom told us that she saw us as role models for the younger girls, and that she knew her daughter would be okay here because she saw us together at this event, feedback like that means so much,” said Kutcherman. Hill agreed, adding that she is proud to be someone the younger girls can look up to. “Bryn Mawr is a great school with so many opportunities, but I also know it can be challenging to want to stay here when you’re feeling all these things,” Hill said. “It is nice that we are now the older girls who have already experienced this and can reach out to younger girls and support them through the process of building strong relationships and finding the sisterhood we have.”
 
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, The Bryn Mawr School is a private all-girls pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school with a coed preschool for ages 2 months through 5 years. Bryn Mawr provides students with exceptional educational opportunities on a beautiful 26-acre campus within the city limits. Inquisitive girls, excellent teaching, strong student-teacher relationships and a clear mission sustain our vibrant school community where girls always come first.