People of Color United: a safe haven and a place to learn and grow
POCU (People of Color United) is a popular ARHS club, advised by Dean of Students Mary Custard. She said her primary role is to “help provide a safe space for students of color, to encourage engagement in leadership opportunities, and to support student participation in educational and cultural events. Also, organizing bake sales and other fundraisers to support POCU activities is vital.”
Senior Ethan Vulcain-Sowkey is the vice-president of POCU. He said he likes that “people can connect with other people of color in a predominantly white school and town like Amherst.”
His favorite part of the club is meeting new and different people and he noted that over the years he has become “friends with most of the people in the club.” Vulcain-Sowkey, who lives at the ABC House (A Better Chance) in Amherst, has been in the club for three years.
He said he helps organize meetings, start discussions, and plan events.
The club co-presidents are Tarakayn Schulz and Talvin Dhingra, both seniors, and other senior members include Layla DaSilva Askew, Celma Correia, Marcielo Aquino, Brenden Camphor, Jaden Caraballo, Maia Velez, Raye Hegarty, Gabriela Cintron Martinez, Sonisai Loeung Rinehart, Samuel Medina, and Brandon Stewart. Sophomore Caylee Williams is the other vice president and Janaki Ewoton, also a sophomore, is the secretary. Junior Alana Texidor Melendez is the social media manager.
Some of Custard’s goals for the future are to “continue organizing events for our community, to take the POCU on field trips to learn and have fun, to do some community service work, and to make sure the students in the POCU feel safe as people of color inside and outside of school.”
This September, the club went on its first field trip of the year, to the UMass Fine Arts Center, to see the Step Afrika! group perform. The Sene-Gambian Scholars and a few English classes also attended. They also attend the new musical film version of “The Color Purple” at Tower Theaters in South Hadley in January.
POCU also hopes to coordinate with our State Representative Mindy Domb in the spring to do a Massachusetts State House field trip.
One of Custard’s favorite field trips is to the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem. “We only go every few years because renting a coach bus is very expensive and we need to raise and save money to pay for it,” she said.
However, Custard rates this as a very important place to take students. “The Apollo has historical and cultural significance due to showcasing and supporting Black talent for decades,” she said. “It is important to learn and honor that history.”
She also said that “attending Amateur Night at the Apollo is always lots of fun.”
