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2nd Annual Induction Ceremony

Opening Remarks

By Tiffany Roberts



If you don’t know me already, my name is Tiffany. I am a senior and currently, the Vice President of the Black Student Union here in NYC. This year has been a complete 360 compared to last, with all of us coming back together again, having been separated due to Covid restrictions. With that being said, I want to thank you all for your continuous support and participation in the in-person events we held, from sitting in round table discussions about the importance of our blackness to Halloween parties full of laughter and love. Making the transition from an online experience to an in-person one was more than challenging, but our e-board, the best e-board, always pushed through. As I stated previously, this is my last year attending New York Tech, as I am graduating in May and it is with a heavy heart that I have to say goodbye to my fellow e board members and the community we have formed here over the past four years.

Again, to all of those that are present, we thank you for sharing your time with us today, hopefully, all of you will leave with something that you didn’t enter with; may that be an inspiration, information, a new friend, or a new role on our E-board. To begin the induction ceremony, I would just like to share some information about our organization. This BSU chapter was started in 2017 with the purpose of creating a community of Black and Brown students at NY Tech. The BSU is a multicultural organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of Black and Allie’s students at NYTech through political activism, community action, and social events. The BSU exists in order to create unity and foster change in hopes of furthering the cause of equality. As a student-run organization, we are responsible for advocating for the students at NYTech, taking political stands, and creating the sense of community necessary to unite students to work for positive change.

I have been a part of this E-board for the past two years and this organization has grown into something that I am extremely proud of. Throughout these years, I have not only grown as a student, but I have also blossomed into a student leader, and I owe that to the BSU. We have worked together on social events like the Halloween bash and karaoke nights, just to celebrate life and give us well deserved fun nights at school, but we’ve also created spaces to make our presence known, not only at school but in life, like our poetry slams and roundtable discussions of fighting stereotypes. This year, with the help of NSBE and Career Services, we introduced workshops where members were able to work on their resumes and prep for the career fairs and Interviews at the 48th National Society of Black Engineers Convention. With all of that being said, it is clear that BSU is here to stay and evolves as we see fit. Though a few of us are leaving, I know the BSU will continue to not only grow, but this organization will thrive and become something that none of us could have imagined.


2021-2022 Recap

Presented by Kevin Gay



Keynote Speaker

by Ms. Tiffani L. Blake

Assistant Provost For Student Engagement and Development


Though we do not have the recording of this address, we at the BSU want to thank Ms. Blake for her words of wisdom and inspiration. She is continuing to fight for diversity and is an excellent role model for what a BSU member represents.


List of Inductees

This year, we have the honor of welcoming these new members of the BSU:

  • Addie Owuso

  • Ahmad Deribe

  • Aida Starr-Alarcon

  • Beza Nigatu

  • Brianna Stewart

  • Christina Walker

  • Darnell Voltaire

  • Geneva Bahadur

  • George Fox

  • Igbekelemi Moses Adewunmi

  • Jalene Valdez

  • Justin Shaw

  • Kyrha Richardson-Daniel

  • Leah-Sarah Clayton

  • Naomi Codo

  • Vivian Jewoola

Congratulations to all of our inductees!!!


Presentation of Special Awards

By Sidpasamde Tiendrebeogo & Tiffany Roberts


2022 Outstanding Member Award



This award goes to a person who was not a part of the E-board but committed their time and efforts to make the BSU better. This person provided ideas to benefit the BSU, came to most of the events, and promoted the work of the BSU for no personal gain. Please join me and give a round of applause for Beza Nigat


The Most Active Member for 2022 Award



This award goes to a member of the BSU that went above and beyond in the organization. As the title says, this person was one of the most active members of the BSU for the 2022 year, without being a part of the E-board. This person didn’t actually join until the Spring semester, but he has shown up to every event we’ve held this semester, has come early, and left late to set up and clean up. Has interacted with other members to boost morale in the club and even if he had class and couldn’t stay at the event the entire time, he made sure to show his face at least once throughout the night, Please join me and give a round of applause for Darnell Voltaire


The 2022 Valliant Award



This award is bestowed upon the member who has shown exemplary heart and exhibits a strong sense of community and qualities that exemplify the mission of the BSU. This individual has shown great ambition for the BSU and we are blessed to have them as a part of our executive board. Sid and I have referred to this person as embodying the true meaning of the BSU. He is one of the most energetic, high spirited people that I know. When he comes to events, he’s one of the brightest lights in the room. He makes everyone feel included, never letting one person slip into a corner, and that is one of the reasons he is receiving this award. Valiant means possessing or acting with bravery or boldness and that is the epitome of the recipient. Please join me and give a round of applause for Rasheed Martin BSU Senator.



Recognition of Graduating Members

By Rasheed Martin


The BSU at New York Tech is a community that celebrates achievement and excellence at its utmost level. We are so proud of the achievements of our graduating members that have impacted lives throughout their time here at New York Tech. These are the role models that our current and prospective members will aspire to be. Whether it was through service, mentorship, or involvement on campus, our graduating members have transformed and moved the needle on-campus culture, advocacy for diversity within NYIT, and the representation of what a true BSU member represents. Though the BSU at New York Tech will miss you all ever so dearly, we have no doubt that you will continue to have an everlasting impact on society and keep the BSU values true to your heart. Please continue to fight and advocate for diversity, embrace service and giving back to your community, and continue to be a role model and outstanding leader for the members who look up to you. Now without further ado, our graduating members for the 2021-2022 school year are:

  • Kailey Bennington

  • Kevin Gay

  • Nomi Codo

  • Sarah Johnson

  • Sita Sanon

  • Tiffany Roberts

  • Vivian Jewoola


Special E-Board Awards

By Rasheed Martin

The Roberts Award



The Roberts Award for Leadership Achievement - recognizes members who show outstanding leadership qualities, growth, commitment to the organization's development, it is one highest recognition a member of the Black Student Union can achieve. This award acknowledges and celebrates exemplary leadership that has a significant and positive impact on advancing the theory and practice of the Black Student Union.

This year, we recognize Tiffany Roberts and immortalize her as a part of this organization because of the outstanding commitment she has devoted to the Black Student Union. She has time and time again gone above and beyond to ensure the growth and stability of this organization. Please help me honor miss. Tiffany Roberts.


The Tiendrebeogo Award



The Tiendrebeogo Award for - Beyond the Call of Duty Award

Recognizes a member who is an excellent role model. One who goes above and beyond to fill in vacancies, create and facilitate new ideas for the organization, one who stands in the face of adversity and resilience to bring forth solutions no one else could provide.

This year, there was only one person that could be granted this award. Sidpasamde Tiendrebeogo has gone beyond her position as President. She showed that she has what it takes to think outside of the box to continue growing our community at New York Tech. She took charge of not only social events, but implemented different career-readiness services like resume-building workshops. She not only wanted to build a community of Black students at New York Tech, but she worked tirelessly to make sure our place on campus was always recognized. As president, it is obvious that you have to be a leader, but Sid is one of a kind. Please help me honor Sidpasamde Tiendrebeogo



Presidental Remarks

By Sidpasamde Tiendrebeogo





When I accepted the role of Black Student Union president, I knew nothing of what it takes to run an organization, or even how to successfully run one at that. I’ve been reminded for the past month of what my first impression was. This kid with the big backpack and a lot to do all the time. They reminded me of my growth and how constant and constant it’s been. During my first executive board member meeting, we discussed our vision for the BSU and looking at the minutes from last year, I realized it was all accomplished. These were the goals we set for ourselves:

  • Accountability Within the Leadership

  • Leadership Training & Readiness

  • Growth

  • Planning

  • Laying Groundwork for the Future

  • Become an organization

  • Occupy the space we deserved

I am so proud that with the help of my executive boards, I’ve been able to add on to these goals and surpass what we had previously hoped to accomplish.


While I was mostly giving out a history lesson, it was extremely humbling to see our process, thoughts, and actions on why the BSU is worth our commitment. After seeing the way this organization flourished. I am proud to announce the new Executive board’s President Rasheed Martin, and his wonderful officers:


  • Darnell K. Voltaire

  • Shiann Bullock

  • O'Sean Blagrove

  • Akintunde Olowfela

  • Beza Nigatu

  • Christian Castillo

I have no doubt in my mind that this organization is in good hands, and will surpass everything we have accomplished thus far. Please know I am always here to support you!

Here's the link to see the new team!


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