Jeremy Mckellar wins Black Student Movement presidency

With the presidency of the Black Student Movement in hand, Jeremy Mckellar plans to utilize the group’s meeting space to give its members more assistance.

The BSM elected Mckellar to president and James Davis to vice president for the 2015-16 school year Thursday.

Mckellar wants to utilize the BSM’s Upendo Lounge as a place for members to gather and receive help.

“We don’t use this space enough,” Mckellar said during a candidates forum on Wednesday. “We should have this place reserved at least once every day.”

Mckellar wants to host study groups and other tutoring sessions for members. In addition, he wants to make advising available to help freshman members find their way.

Freshman Asia Gandy will serve as secretary and sophomore Tre Shockley will serve as treasurer. Of the BSM’s paid membership, 53 percent voted in this year’s election.

Mckellar, who took 80.43 percent of the vote, ran on a platform entitled “Forward Together.”

Davis, a sophomore, won with 51.82 percent of the vote and used the slogan “Pay it Forward” to summarize his platform. He said it is his goal to make the BSM a more financially responsible and inclusive organization.

Davis wants to work with Student Congress to acquire more funds for BSM activities.

Mckellar wants to create more unity within the organization and increase outreach efforts.

“It is not just going to take me; it is going to take you all,” Mckellar said during the candidates forum. “It’s going to take you reaching out to your friends, your classmates and faculty members.”

Mckellar also wants to implement a monthly photo campaign to highlight current members.

“We want to show we value our members by taking photos of them and showcasing them to the University,” he said.

Mckellar also wants to help turn BSM outward and begin working with the Chapel Hill community through cultural festivals.

Both Davis and Mckellar want to make sure that every member feels like he or she grew through his or her experience with the group.

“We want to make our members feel important and show we care about their future,” Mckellar said.

Davis echoed this sentiment.

“I make sure that each person I have met with left better than they were before,” Davis said. “And I as well.”

In an interview after he won the election Thursday, Mckellar said he is excited to make the group a welcoming environment for all people.

“We want to create a welcoming environment for all people,” he said. “Before we move forward, we need to bring together our own community.”

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