West High School has held the title of the number one high school in Iowa for the past three years, according to US News & World Report. A key factor in this success is its diverse community, which is made up of approximately 46.3% White, 26.4% Black, 11.6% Hispanic, 10.6% Asian and 4.5% two or more races of students. The Black Student Union is one of the driving forces that has brought the Black community, who make up the second largest racial group at West High, together.
In this seventh installment of Black excellence at West, West Side Story features BSU and the leaders who helped it get to where it is today.
Black Student Union
Founded in 2020, BSU unites Black students at West through community events, teach-ins, movie nights and meetings where members share their experiences as Black individuals.
However, BSU is more than just a club for Black students: it is a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. Whether part of the African diaspora or different racial communities, all are encouraged to join, learn and support one another.
The backbone of BSU, and what drives its success, is the leaders who dedicate their time to ensure students feel heard. The leaders of the club consist of seniors Neema Ash, Alicia Austin, Rawan Babiker, Corte Beal and Vanessa Shannon. But what inspired them to take on these leadership roles?
In seventh grade, Ash was struggling to find a place to fit into and truly feel herself, so she decided to join BSU at Northwest Middle School.
After the previous leaders graduated, West’s BSU slowly faded. Determined to bring it back, Ash took matters into her own hands, creating an Instagram page to promote an upcoming meeting, and from there, the club slowly gained momentum. By January 2024, she successfully revived BSU, renewing its presence at West.
“Freshman year, there were so many other leaders, and I looked up to them. Sophomore year, though, [BSU] stopped, and I missed having that space where I could be with other students like me, so I decided to take action,” Ash said.
Like Ash, Babiker joined Northwest’s BSU in eighth grade. Although the club had only three members, she enjoyed being a part of it. However, after arriving at West, Babiker failed to find the same fulfillment.
“When BSU disbanded [during my] sophomore year, I was disappointed as I had loved my safe space. When I was contacted by Neema to restart the BSU, I was really excited because it meant a chance to continue sharing this space with all other students at West,” Babiker said.
As BSU started again, Shannon saw the club’s impact on students and decided to take on a leadership role. After attending her first meetings, she strived to improve BSU’s outreach, so more students could join.
“First, I joined as a member, but I wanted to have some type of [leadership] role, and especially with the types of connections I had, I felt like we could make this into something bigger,” Shannon said.
Although Austin hadn’t planned on becoming a leader, she was inspired by the club’s mission and decided to take on a bigger role.
“I love doing things for the community. and I’m really big about my comfortability. Black Student Union was a space where I felt comfortable, so I wanted to help other students feel that way,” Austin said.
Beal joined BSU his junior year and set a personal goal to become a model for his peers.
While each leader joined BSU for their own reasons, what makes the club truly special is how they motivate and support one another. Each of them brings unique strengths to the table, taking on different roles that help shape BSU into the welcoming and impactful space it is today.
“Each one of us specializes in a different part of the organization itself. Neema is very strict and knows how to run the club. Corte has the connections, but he also knows how to conduct himself for meetings. Alicia knows how to bring people together. Rawan is the logistical portion, she keeps us focused and reminds us of our goal. I’m also more strict, and I have the connections to bring people together,” Shannon said.
Since its revival, BSU has worked tirelessly to uplift and support its community. Last summer, the club hosted a Juneteenth celebration, raising around $500 to fund club activities that bring people together, such as ice cream socials and movie nights. Beyond their events, BSU has built strong connections through their involvement in the community with the Rotary Club, raising awareness about the war in Sudan with the Voices of the Nile and hosting teach-ins with the Arab Student Union. They also have upcoming plans to work with Humanize My Hoodie.
February has been especially momentous for BSU. Thanks to their connections with the Rotary Club, the University of Iowa Hospital invited the club to create a mural of Martin Luther King Jr. and, during its installation, recognized and honored club members for their contributions. Additionally, BSU’s impactful work in the community led to a major achievement; because of West BSU’s commitment to raising awareness throughout the community, both Iowa City and Johnson County officially proclaimed February Black History Month.
The Board proclaims February 2025 as #BlackHistoryMonth in Johnson Co & urges residents to continue supporting African Americans in being seen, heard & celebrated throughout the year.
Thanks to the Iowa City West Black Student Union & Bijou Maliabo for accepting the proclamation pic.twitter.com/YkKOULn6cj
— Johnson County, Iowa (@JohnsonCountyIA) February 6, 2025
With the support of community members, clubs and organizations, BSU achieved many milestones in a short period of time. After overcoming a dwindling club, the leaders pride themselves in making a mark on not only West, but Iowa City too.
“We believe in going further outside of West and into the community. There are a lot of people that don’t get to experience having a school club that [aligns with] their ethnic group and BSU doesn’t just provide a safe space at West High, we also go beyond,” Ash said.
For students at West High, BSU is more than just a club; it’s a movement. Although it has only been a year since the club’s revival, BSU has brought people from all over together, and its leaders are already seeing it positively reflect on the community.
“BSU is also a place for students to experience Black joy. The world is already hard on us, BSU serves as a place for Black students and others, to come and relax and not worry about what goes on outside. When the theater door closes, so do our worries,” Babiker said.
Neema Ash ’25
Beyond her work with the Black Student Union, Ash has been involved in community service since the COVID-19 pandemic, when she launched an initiative called You Are Worth It. The project aimed to provide essential goods to people who could not afford them.
“I was just seeing people not wear their masks, so it made me wonder, can some people not afford them? So I decided to donate around 300 masks to my neighborhood. There was also this big storm in Cedar Rapids, so I donated, like, half of my clothes and anything that was needed for people,” Ash said.
When she arrived at West High, Ash became involved in several activities, including student government and theater. She joined student government as a freshman, eager to take on a leadership role and collaborate with peers who shared her ambitions. Theater, however, was not initially on her radar, but after watching her first show, she was inspired to join.
“I joined theater my sophomore year, and when I saw my first show, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m not gonna be sitting in the audience.’ I really wanted to be involved, especially since I have a big passion for singing and acting, so I knew being on stage was for me,” Ash said.
Reflecting on her high school career, Ash considers reviving BSU her greatest achievement.
“There’s been a lot of struggle, but there’s also been so much success. Being able to bring it back up with so many talented people has been such a big achievement and has had a big impact on others,” she said.
Being involved in theater has presented challenges as one of the few Black students in the program, but rather than discouraging her, it has empowered her to represent others like her.
“For me, I was very proud to see that I continued to do theater despite it being predominantly white. It made me happy when people would tell me they were focusing on me because I was one of the few Black people there, which made them feel seen,” Ash said.
At times, though, she wishes for more representation.
“It kind of does bother me though seeing that I am one of the few Black students involved because I want to see all Black students succeed. I don’t want anybody to conform to any negative stereotypes that are in place for us. So I hope me doing these things encourages other people not to be afraid to be a part of something they’re passionate about,” She said.
Ash credits her mother as her greatest mentor, shaping her into the leader she is today.
“She really taught me what it means to be a leader. My mother is a mentor, and I grew up seeing how people would struggle and how she would advise them. At the time, I didn’t get it, but now I’m just like, my mom definitely knew what she was talking about. She’s definitely helped shape my morals and helped me become accomplished,” Ash said.
Her mother has helped her build a mindset of taking risks and being a leader, which has shaped Ash into the accomplished individual she is today.
Corte Beal ’25
Senior Corte Beal has dedicated his time and leadership to numerous school and community initiatives. He is actively involved in BSU, is a regional leader in Walk it Out for Black America and has recently secured an administrative position on the West Student Fund, which provides grants for people involved in school activities. Additionally, he is in the process of creating a club called Pulse which aims to provide financial assistance to students at West, mentoring the youth and serving as a community outreach organization.
Beyond school, Beal plays a significant role in advocating for equity and empowerment. He is a member of the Equity Advisory Committee, where he works to make schools more inclusive by bringing in a student perspective. He also serves as a program director for the Black Youth Empowerment Network branch in Atlanta, Georgia, where he mentors young leaders through workshops designed to help them discover their leadership potential.
Beal’s passion for leadership extends to programs like Rotary Youth Leadership Awards also known as RYLA.
“RYLA is like a leadership retreat, where they select kids from each school in the district, and you get to go and unlock your leadership capabilities. You get to make connections and learn how to be a better human and leader,” Beal said.
He was also chosen as a delegate for the World Affairs Seminar, an opportunity typically reserved for seniors, but an exception was made for him due to his outstanding leadership.
When asked about his greatest achievements, Beal emphasized the impact he has made rather than the awards he has received.
“I don’t really work for achievement, but I’m very proud of the impact that I’ve made. It’s cool to get a lot of things on paper and medals and awards. But it’s really nice to make an impact on these students’ lives. I’ll walk in the hallways and I’ll hear people saying BSU has helped me in so many ways, and that is an achievement in itself,” Beal said.
As a Black male leader, Beal recognizes the need for more representation and is determined to pave the way for others.
“I’m the very slim majority, because leadership is a very female-dominated thing in our building, unfortunately. I say unfortunately because I want to see more Black male leaders in our community step up and actually take these positions and take the initiative to lead their people as well. Overall, I’m really proud to do what I do,” Beal said.
When asked why excelling is so important to him, Beal explained that it’s because when he excels he is also helping others excel.
“I don’t really view it as personal excelling; I view it as excelling for my people. That’s what I think excelling is mainly about. We’re the minority in America, and I feel like there are a lot of stereotypes placed on us, where we’re only seen as good at sports or entertainment, and we’re not viewed as a diverse group of people. But I think it’s important to show that we are, we can be leaders, we can be scholars, we can be in STEM, and we can do all sorts of things,” Beal said.
Through his journey, Beal credits his grandmother as his greatest inspiration and places his faith in God to guide him. Despite balancing academics, leadership and extracurriculars, he has found purpose in the challenge.
“I kind of have found beauty and a difficulty, because I’ve learned that I can do a lot of things at one time. I’ve learned that through all the difficulty there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and that even if the opportunities are hard, you should take them, because if you see progress on what you’re doing, just keep going with it,” he said.
Rawan Babiker ’25
Rawan Babiker ’25 takes pride in being an active member of the West High community and she is involved in a variety of leadership roles that showcase her dedication to uplifting others. As a co-director of Walk It Out, she has been shaping the cultural showcase for three years. She’s also a leader in the Competitive Coding Club and Cybersecurity Club, using her knowledge to encourage more students, especially Black students, to enter tech spaces. Through the Technological Student Association (TSA), she tackles real-world engineering problems and competes in a timed competition where she and her team are tasked with building something.
Beyond her school involvement, Rawan is also deeply committed to advocacy. As the founder and co-director of Voices of the Nile, she and Reem Kirja ’25 work to highlight the issues going on in Sudan.
“Currently we’re filing to be recognized as a non-profit. We are also a partner with the US Department of State to raise awareness about the horrors taking place in Sudan. We amplify the voices of those affected through art and literature, in part to showcase the beauty of our people and to remind the world that we are not just ‘another African country at war,’ we are writers, poets, and artists, ” Babiker said.
When asked about her biggest accomplishments, Babiker explained that she measures her success in three different categories.
“Professionally, I’m proud that my hard work is paying off. I’ve spent the past three years pushing myself to always be better and to watch my work come to fruition is beyond satisfying. Academically, I’m proud of all the classes and places I’ve joined. When I first joined West High, I was beyond intimidated by STEM. Now I’m leaving it as a senior who has not only taken all the computer science classes offered but as a leader in the computer science world. Personally, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown. I know that no matter where I go, I will be successful because my attitude is,” she said.
Outside of her leadership roles, and the plethora of activities she is involved in, Rawan enjoys soccer, Formula 1 and fashion. She’s also recently been exploring sewing, adding another skill to her creative pursuits.
Being a leader and achieving the milestones she has been aiming for has been deeply satisfying for Babiker, and serves as a reminder to her that believing in oneself can open any door.
Babiker does not shy away from the disappointment that comes with being one of the only Black students in her STEM classes and leadership positions. However, what frustrates her most is seeing Black student leaders who fail to bring others along with them.
“I could write a thesis on this but I am mostly disappointed in the Black students who are leaders in their respective places yet make no effort to include other Black students. Be proud of yourself if you are the only Black student in a space, but don’t be proud that you are the only Black person there, you should always look to expand and bring in more diversity,” Babiker said.
To Babiker excelling is not just about proving her own capabilities but about showing others that they, too, can thrive in any field they choose, whether it’s academics, sports or leadership,
“Although one of the most marginalized groups in the US, Black women are also the most educated group in the US. It’s important for me to excel because I need to continue the legacy left behind by other Black women. It’s also important to continue serving as an example and reminder to myself and others who came from similar backgrounds that we can absolutely be excellent in everything we do, from academics to sports, we can and will continue to move up the ceiling,” She said.
A big thing Babiker believes in is being proud in oneself and not being afraid to stand out, she believes that this is how someone can be successful and satisfied with themselves.
“Take up space. Do not let people make you believe that you do not belong, do not hide, be loud and proud, especially in the places you are told you do not belong in. If you are Black and reading this, please please please apply yourself more, you are capable of more than you know or think you can do,” Babiker said.
Vanessa Shannon ’25
Senior Vanessa Shannon is involved in a diverse collection of activities. She has been part of the band since her freshman year and currently plays the flute in the Symphonic Band. Additionally, she participated in track last year as a short-distance runner. Like Beal, Shannon also has leadership roles in the Equity Advisory Committee and Pulse.
Outside of school, Shannon works closely with her cousin, who plays a key role in Restorative Community Partners, an organization dedicated to helping teachers better serve diverse ethnic groups. Shannon supports the organization by assisting with the distribution of materials for interactive activities.
Helping out with her cousin has been something she takes pride in as it’s helped her build connections and her leadership capabilities.
“Even though I don’t have the biggest role with the organization, being involved in the process has helped me become a better leader in the BSU, and has helped me be able to demonstrate more inclusiveness with the things I’m involved in,” Shannon said.
Running track was also a great accomplishment for her, as it was Shannon’s first year and she enjoyed pushing herself to perform at a high level. Excelling in an environment where diversity is limited has also been a personal achievement.
“You’re looked at weird by other people if you’re in a majority white space, but I feel good about myself, not because I’m the only one, but because I’m not trying to stick with the stereotype like everyone else,” she said.
Being involved in so many activities hasn’t been as easy as Shannon makes it look, but to her, it’s all worth it in the end
“It’s been tough, especially having a part-time job, it’s tough. At the same time,
I know I won’t regret it, especially, with BSU and doing all my other activities, I know it’s making a mark on those around me, and it’s going to help me improve in my future,” Shannon said.
One of Shannon’s biggest mentors has been her cousin, who has helped her see the world through a different lens.
“She’s a leader herself, especially with her job in this district, she has to deal with a lot of adults who struggle with understanding how to make an inclusive environment. I learned from her, how to maneuver in those types of areas and environment and to be a leader,” Shannon said.
When asked what being Black means to her in today’s society, Shannon explained that being Black is being resilient.
“To me being Black is powerful. I feel that although Black people, especially Black women, are at the bottom of the belt, we’re still important. We can still stand, we can still make an impact to those around us in our community, no matter what challenges we face,” she said.
The mindset that has gotten Shannon this far is being unapologetically herself.
Alicia Austin ’25
Alicia Austin, a senior, is involved in a variety of activities both inside and outside of school. She has been an active member of the choir throughout her high school career, where she has made many meaningful friendships. Outside of school, Austin spends much of her time working, as well as reading and engaging in arts and crafts, including making clay sculptures and experimenting with pipe cleaner creations.
Austin works with animals, particularly puppies, and finds that this job has helped her develop a greater sense of empathy and happiness.
“I’m a big caring person, but like, working with animals has made me care more, it has made me a happier person. I’ve noticed a change in mood, I’m a lot happier and it’s very hard to upset me,” Austin said.
Although Austin sometimes feels out of place as one of the few Black students in her activities, she feels that her friends and the diversity within the choir help her feel more at ease.
She credits her mom as her greatest mentor.
“When I sometimes have down moments, my mother helps me through them. Whenever I also need advice, I know I can go to her,” Austin said.
Balancing school, work, BSU and choir is challenging for Alicia, but she manages by separating her different roles.
“I have work Alicia, school Alicia and home Alicia. I try to keep them as separate as possible because school Alicia needs to stay focused, home Alicia is for relaxing and sleeping and work Alicia has to be responsible. Sometimes they blend into each other, but I just have to remind myself of where I am,” she said.
When asked about the significance of being Black in a predominantly white environment, Alicia shares that for her, being Black means uplifting her community.
“Being Black is like a cloud of different things, but mainly being Black means uplifting the people in your community, being a shoulder to lean on and being emotionally strong,” Austin said.
Alicia’s message to others is to embrace who they are and to try new things without fear of failure.
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