Tradition
The purpose of Black Family Weekend
1) To promote cultural growth and unity, encourage high scholastic standards, provide service and advocacy for the Black community, and to showcase various elements of the Black Diaspora at Boston College
2) To highlight Boston College’s commitment to diversity through education, explore the depth and complexity of the AHANA community, and help admitted students make an informed decision about choosing to continue their education at Boston College
Background
In an effort to integrate the university, Boston College launched the “Negro Talent Search Program” in 1968. That summer, 34 Black students arrived on campus for summer orientation. In 1970, students of the program, which had been renamed the “Black Talent Program,” established Black Student Forum as a way to bring aspects of their culture to the Boston College community.
A year after the formation of Black Student Forum, Black Family Weekend (BFW) was born. For nearly four decades, Black Student Forum and Black Family Weekend have enriched the diversity and cultural life of the Boston College and neighboring communities though academic, social, and cultural activities that highlight the Black experience at Boston College.
More recently, Black Student Forum has partnered with the Office of Undergraduate Admission to attract admitted students of AHANA descent to Boston College. The Office of Undergraduate Admission has worked with the Black Student Forum to coordinate its “Destination BC” Weekend in an effort to highlight the opportunities for involvement and the diversity of BC community. Students that attended Destination BC attest to the success of the partnership between Black Student Forum and the Office of Undergraduate Admission, often sharing that the Destination BC/Black Family Weekend was instrumental in their decision to select Boston College. This partnership has led to the continual growth of the number of Black students that choose to attend Boston College and has contributed greatly to the diversity of the university.
Prospective students not only foster bonds with one another, but also meet and network with currently enrolled students. This serves them well when they return to the campus in September. The upperclassmen are eager to share their experience at Boston College and serve as informal mentors to these students. Prospective students are also exposed to the myriad resources, registered student organizations, service programs, and activities that Boston College has to offer. In essence, Destination BC/Black Family Weekend serves as an orientation to Boston College, offering prospective students an up close and personal view of the community that they are about to join.
In addition to enhancing the Boston College visit experience for prospective students, Black Family Weekend also brings several alumni to the campus. While alumni do not return in large numbers, many Black alumni use Black Family Weekend as an opportunity to reconnect with classmates, learn about the changes at Boston College, and maintain their connection to the university. Many of the Black Alumni that return for Black Family Weekend are not likely to be in attendance at home football games, class reunions, or Parents Weekend. In that regard, Black Family Weekend represents an excellent opportunity for students, the Boston College Alumni Association, and the university to better understand and connect with Black Alumni of Boston College.
Black Family Weekend connects the past, present, and future and is a celebration of the excellence that exists within the Black Family at Boson College. Further, it reinforces the importance of community within community, scholastic excellence, representation, and dialogue.