This is Quincy Bowles, she is an Art history Major Art & Design Minor. In our shoot together, we explored UMMA, a space on campus filled with art, color, and culture, a fitting environment for someone like herself, vibrant, outgoing, and creative. Here are some of her thoughts and experiences attending Michigan as a black woman.
(Q1) What led you to attend this particular PWI, and how has your identity influenced that decision? "My identity is rooted in my standing as an African American woman. I decided to attend Michigan because of the academic prestige it offers but also for the opportunity to live out of state. My identity has been most influenced by this change because of the other women of color I have met here. I have a friend group of five black women who have inspired characteristics/ qualities that make me feel like I’m bettering myself."
(Q2) What support systems have you found on campus or within the community that havehelped you navigate challenges related to your identity?
"Being apart of the very small black community at Umich, is a way that one will inherently orient themselves with other black students on campus. So the black community here as a whole has been somewhat of a support system, however it can be difficult creating actual connections or relationships with individual ppl rather than just being friendly with your community which I find is partially challenging. Nonetheless being apart of a community of people who have similar racial shared experiences is very helpful."
(Q3) What advice would you give to incoming students of color to help them navigate their PWI experience more successfully and authentically?
"I would encourage new POC students going into PWI's to seek out people who are interested in similar things that align with their own personality. The friends you make and the network you build at a PWI is so important, and I think it’s equally important to surround yourself with ppl who have insight into whatever background you hail from. "
(Q4) Are there changes you believe the institution should implement to better support students of color? "I think there’s always room for improvement as it relates to inclusivity and diversifying the student body. However, for the black community on campus, I find there’s a very deliberate effort to create events and spaces that are for black students. I think in the current age, a wider group of people are more privy to the sensitivity of race, gender, sexuality etc… so there’s definitely a shift in consideration from the entire community at U of M which is encouraging. "