Asad Whitehead

Being a minority at a PWI presents challenges that may not be common in more diverse educational settings. This made me question my identity at times. After recognizing the urgent need to create a platform that amplifies the voices and experiences of black students at Monmouth, I took on the role as President of the Black Student Union. This gives me the opportunity to create a welcoming environment where minority students could connect and support one another. Although we had a very successful year, I realized that there was still a cultural divide and lack of diversity when it came to Blue Hawk Records. The existing system favored genres rooted in white culture, which overshadowed the contributions of minority students and their musical styles. I thought about the power that music has to be a powerful force for inclusivity and social change, and decided to embark on a journey to bridge this gap. Since I am on the executive board for both BSU and Blue Hawk Records, I came up with the idea to merge our resources and influence to create a project that aims to create a platform where marginalized voices and genres could flourish, fostering a sense of belonging and representation. This project is called The Equal Sound Initiative, and combines Blue Hawk Records, the Black Student Union, and the Monmouth University Music/Theatre Arts Department to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop music while also highlighting the dynamic relationship between hip-hop and social justice.

The Equal Sound Initiative has been selected to receive a $10,000 grant for the 2023-2024 school year. This support now gives me the power boost to the initiative's resources, enhancing the quality of events, amplifying its impact, and most importantly, creating a more inclusive musical environment here on campus.