This photo captures Cureton Johnson in his office space. Johnson is the founder and the first editor-in-chief of Black Ink Magazine, the official publication of the Black Student Movement since 1969. 

Francine Randolph was voted the 1973 Miss Black Student Movement at the 3rd annual BSM Coronation Ball. This photo is of her being crowned by the committee. 

Preston Dobbins served as the first president of the Black Student Movement. In addition, he helped to cofound the organization with Reggie Hawkins in 1967. This photo expresses his youth as an undergraduate student at UNC. 

The BSM Gospel Choir, later renamed the UNC Gospel Choir, is the largest subgroup within the Black Student Movement. This is a photo from one of their concert in the 1980s.   

The Umoja Awards Ceremony is an annual, end-of-year event where outgoing officers are thanked for a job well done, class superlatives are awarded, seniors are presented with their graduation stoles, and the new officers are inducted for the upcoming year. This photo is from the 1998 Umoja Awards. 

Founded by Reagan McDonald in 1995, Harmonyx is a BSM subgroup that represents historical and contemporary vocals in R&B, soul, hip-hop, and gospel genres in the UNC acapella community. This photo is from a performance in 1996.

Historically held in the fall semester, the BSM Coronation Ball is significant for the coronation of Mr. & Miss BSM along with other underclassmen honorees. This photo is from the 1997 BSM Ball.  

 Swahili for “beyond the horizon,” Opeyo! is a BSM subgroup that provides an outlet for artistic expression and community outreach through dance. Opeyo! performs at numerous events on and off campus. This photo from the 1970s captures Opeyo! dancing in a rehearsal hall. 

Mary Ellerbe was crowned the 1982 Miss BSM during her sophomore year. In this photo she is sitting on the steps of the Old Well.

Ebony Readers/Onyx Theatre is a subgroup of the Black Student Movement that specializes in poetry, spoken word and theatrical drama. This photo from the 1980s shows Sandra Purnell making her debut as a PIT (Poet in Training) during the new remembers reveal in the Pit. 

Chartered in 1982, the Xi Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. has been at UNC-Chapel Hill for over 35 years. This 1998 picture captures a step show win celebration.

Chairperson is the former name used to address a BSM president. This photo from the 1980s illustrates Mark Canady’s joy in being the first re-elected BSM Chairperson, serving from 1980-1982.

At first, Opeyo! was split into two dance ensembles: Opeyo! Modern and Opeyo! Hip Hop; both were open to males and females. This photo, during a 1980s gym jam, demonstrates how the girls "got down." 

It was a long held tradition that the reigning Mr. and Miss BSM would run for Mr. and Miss UNC. This photo from 1997 displays the excitement of Vinston Rozier and his date after he took the honors that homecoming. 

To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Black Student Movement, students rallied in support of the Housekeeper and Groundskeeper Struggle and presented Chancellor Michael Hooker with a list of 23 new demands. This photo from 1998 presents the scene of the organization outside the Chancellor’s office in South Building. 

Many Black Greek fraternities held pageant competitions to raise scholarship money for fellow college women. Kappa Kourt during the 1970s is an example of this. In this photo, a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha is speaking to a man of Kappa Alpha Psi about this upcoming event, outside of Greenlaw. 

In 1972, Richard Epps became the first African American elected student body president of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This photo was taken in the 1970s while he was serving on student government. 

Highly covered by campus publications, the BSM elections signaled the transition of power from graduating seniors to rising seniors. The image shows Sabrina Evans-Ellis, who would be president for the 1990-91 year, with her opponent outside of the Old Well. 

Created on the campus of Howard University in 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was the first Black Greek sorority created within the “Divine Nine.” The Theta Pi Chapter here at UNC is pictured strolling with their canes during a step show in the 1980s. 

The Pit was and still is a central space on campus to make yourself or news you want to relay known. The BSM makes their demands to the University clear to the audience outside the Student Store in 1998. 

The Kappa Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was the first Black Greek sorority chartered at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1973. This photo from 1989 highlights the members’ talents during a step show. 

Working as the director of the UNC Summer Bridge Program and the Associate Dean and Director of Academic Advising from 1999 to 2010, Carolyn Cannon is a crucial Black figure who helped minorities get acclimated to life at UNC. This photo from the 1980s illustrates her hard work ethic as a University adviser, guiding students from orientation to graduation.