In this short history, alum Aja Beckham discusses the creation of the student organization "Being Black at Illinois," first campus memories, and the resources that the university provides. This oral history was recorded as part of the ongoing Oral History project and conducted in partnership with the University of Illinois Library Archives.
Christopher Jones, a graduate of the studio art MFA program and research professor in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, discusses the intersection of queer and disabled communities. He cofounded the Cripistemology and the Arts creative research lab, which serves as a gathering place for disabled students.
Ezra discusses the logistics, struggles, and successes of running a queer soup night in Champaign-Urbana. Ezra created this event after noticing a lack of spaces for queer people of all ages to relax and be in community. The event is meant for people of all ages, including teenagers, college students, and adults. Also discussed are accessibility and other local queer events and organizations.
Howie Schein took a circuitous path to the University of Illinois, first studying at Grinnell College, then the University of California, Berkeley, and then arriving in Champaign to pursue his PhD. After graduation, he led Unit One as associate director and director from 1976 to 2008. In this interview, he discusses his early life and education, graduate studies, and how he guided Unit One as it evolved through the decades.
Khalia matriculated as an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois in 2021. Originally from Chicago, IL, Khalia recounts what it was like moving to Wheaton, IL, at age seven and attending a predominantly white school as a young Black girl. Later she discusses her decision to attend the University of Illinois, the development of her political identity and personal interests, and how her identities as a revolutionary queer, Black person have shaped her community building experiences at the University and in other spaces.
Nyx Melancon is a rising senior studying English and creative writing. In the interview, they discuss the challenges of navigating the social lanscape on campus as a Black nonbinary transmasc lesbian. He also highlights the intersectional events he has organized as an intern at the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center, including a Revolutionary Voices open mic and the Black Queer Afropunk Takeover.
Dr. Shaciarra Hamilton, a Clinical Counselor at the University's Counseling Center, grew up in rural Mississippi, attended Grambling State University in Louisiana for undergrad, and moved to Urbana-Champaign during the covid-19 pandemic after completing her doctorate in psychology. In the interview, she discusses the need for more inclusive spaces for BIPOC queer people and describes her experience with building community in town.
Sreelakshmi Suresh, a graduate of the entomology Master's degree program, discusses their time at the University as a student and community builder. Suresh founded and served as president of F.U.S.E., which stands for Foraging Unity, Solidarity, and Equity for QTPOC (queer and transgender people of color). Suresh mentions that they feel they have two separate identities on campus: one as a graduate student and the other as a queer person. They wanted to create a community for queer people of color, which they felt was previously lacking, to help others who may feel isolated on campus.
