Black Studies Debuts The Lookout

“I want a space for black and brown bodies to just be,” said Nysiem Yarborough, an organizer who goes by the title Ambassador for the Black Studies Department at The City College of New York (CCNY). He and faculty and students gathered in a room on the second floor of Shepard Hall, dubbed The Lookout. The sounds of Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, and other greats combined with the Black Studies mission to brighten a grey afternoon. 

This was the room’s debut as the new entertainment space for the  Black Studies Department. “The name embodies the space and our Harlem community,” said Black Studies Chairperson Dr. Jervette Ward. Four big windows face St. Nicholas Park, and  Black Studies hopes students will use The Lookout to host club events and that faculty will use it for their courses, book events, parties and to enjoy each other’s company.

Dr. Ward sees The Lookout as an important tool for the department.”I want to promote Black Studies Department courses and increase the Black Studies community,” she said.  On this day, she greeted the room of about 45 guests with a smile and created a warm atmosphere, serving cookies and tiny quiches to snack on. 

In her opening speech, Chairperson Ward pointed to a  plaque on the wall honoring Black and Puerto Rican students who led the 1969 takeover of the college. At the time, the students presented the administration with what they called the  Five Demands to improve racial equity on campus. Ward said the  Black Studies Department was created as a direct response to those demands.

Remembering the 1969 college take over by Black and Puerto Rican students.

This spring, the department organized an art competition and asked for entries for a work to be painted on the floor in the middle of The Lookout. The winning entry by  Stacy Rivera, a junior art major, shows faces of people of color with the heading Know Your History, and Black Studies written below.

Professor Emmanuel Lachaud , Stacy Rivera and Dr. Jervette Ward.

“I’ve always had an interest in history and specifically Black history, ” Rivera said. She was happy to get the prize money of $500, but she emphasized, “I think this {the floor painting} will be essential for community building.” 

You can pass by the Lookout this summer and see Stacy working with Black Studies Assistant Professor Emmanuel Lachaud as they paint Stacy’s vision on the floor. Black Studies will unveil the work to the public in the fall.