Warm light spilled across the cafeteria tables as the Bishop’s Black Student Union (BSU) welcomed families to its Thanksgiving community potluck, a night meant to celebrate food, family, and connection.
The welcoming atmosphere was immediate from the moment guests arrived, evident in the effort put in by the BSU leaders Riley Ross (‘26), Jacob Popplewell (‘26), and Eseosa Bello (‘27). The leaders covered the tables with red coverings and topped with floral arrangements. They also handed out name tags, along with notecards with fun questions like “What one thing would you want to do most if you had all the money in the world?” and “What’s the most fun birthday party you ever attended?” sparking conversations and filling the room with lively chatter.
Riley, Jacob, and Eseosa opened the event by thanking everyone for attending and emphasizing that the evening was for the whole community. Families, friends, and students were then invited to introduce themselves, with each person taking a turn with the microphone. These casual introductions set a relaxed tone and encouraged connections across different tables and groups. Eseosa described the evening as “welcoming, fun, and uplifting.”
The driving purpose behind the event was simple: community. Organizer and Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Ms. Thomas noted that because food carries such massive cultural and personal meaning for students and families, the potluck format was ideal. “My goal is to build community,” she said, describing the gathering as the perfect opportunity to bring people together during the Thanksgiving season.
Achieving that community vision required careful planning behind the scenes. Ms. Thomas emphasized BSU’s focus, stating, “We planned for the date, the theme of community and family, and the games. We wanted to make sure the community would come,” she said.
Following the introductions, guests spent time enjoying the food. People quickly filled their plates, enjoying the abundance of food served. The dishes included crispy fried chicken and roasted chicken, alongside traditional Thanksgiving staples like cornbread and various sides. The room quickly filled with warm chatter and laughter, mixed in with the sound of soda cans opening. This casual time allowed everyone to connect naturally before the planned activities began.
Head of School Mr. Ron Kim also spoke briefly while guests were enjoying their meal. He expressed his appreciation for the event, emphasizing how important it is for helping students feel supported. In an interview after his speech, Mr. Kim noted that the potluck creates a space where students can explore their identity while also feeling part of the larger school community, stating they “become Bishop’s students and retain their identity.” He concluded in his speech that the potluck is one of the key ways students achieve this integration of identity and a strong sense of belonging.
Mr. Kim also highlighted the special value of seeing extended families involved. “One of the things that I think is great is because it’s on the cusp of Grandparents Day, you see extended families here as a part of that,” he said. The gathering, he added, serves as a reminder that the school’s “community is a very large one.”
Following the meal and Mr. Kim’s remarks, the focus shifted to planned activities designed to encourage interaction. The main attraction was a Thanksgiving Food Bracket, where attendees were given individual sheets to fill out their preferred choice in head-to-head matchups and, ultimately, crown their personal favorite holiday dish. The starting rounds featured classic debates such as Turkey vs. Ham, Baked Mac and Cheese vs. Mashed Potatoes, and Cornbread vs. Yams.
Ms. Thomas explained the intentionality behind the games: “We wanted to make sure the community would come.” As attendee Nolan Americks (‘27) highlighted, the event helped “bring awareness to different student unions, and is an opportunity for people to gather and have a great time.”
These games encouraged conversation and high participation among attendees. Eseosa noted that the activities helped “everyone get involved,” adding an extra layer of merriment and fun to the evening.
By the end of the night, families, students, and faculty left feeling included and appreciated. The whole gathering, as Mr. Kim said, is “just a reminder that our community is a very large one.” For BSU, the potluck was definitive proof that even small events can foster connections and a real sense of joy for everyone involved.
