Syracuse University is taking a step towards being more inclusive to students. It comes after the "Not Again SU" movement in fall of 2019, where students demanded the university to provide more support for minorities on campus.

Progress can now be visually seen and utilized on demands for more spaces on campus to accommodate minority communities at 119 Euclid Avenue. It’s a revamped space in the heart of Syracuse University’s campus.

119 Euclid Avenue has served many purposes over the years, but now it is space for Black students and community, by Black students and community.

“This place is chocked full of Black girl magic, Black Boy joy, and everything in between and around it,” said Eboni Joy Britt, Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Syracuse University. “According to dictionary.com, unabridged dictionaries include on average 300,000 entries, and yet I couldn't find one word to describe the joy, pain and pride I felt throughout this process.”

Primarily student maintained, it’s an important step forward for those who are forging a new Black experience on campus.

“At home, there are things you understand that others may not. There are conversations you can hold with family, that you cannot hold with others," said Vice President of the Student Association Malique Thomas while giving opening remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony. "Those of you that have hope for a brighter day tomorrow than it was yesterday, a piece of that is here, what is now. Those of you that have hope for change, a piece of that is here with us today. And those of you that have advocated for positive initiatives, a piece of that is here with us today at Euclid [Avenue].”

Helping with the design, now managing the office and giving a look into the space is Cornelia Stokes. An alumna of an HBCU at Spellman, now a Master's alumni of Syracuse, Cornelia has a deep tie to the need for change, diversity and inclusion.

“There are so many spaces that I feel like Black students don't feel like they belong, or they feel welcome in,” said Stokes. “So it's very important, too, for this space to be maybe what that space isn’t.”

There are rooms to celebrate culture, relax and study. There’s also a call for students to connect with others and organize.

“You want to have a conversation of that floor of the Black Lives Matter movement who was, police brutality, or you know, bring up things like protests or in light like this can happen in this space,” said Stokes.

While the opening of a space such as this was marked with a large block party and celebration. There’s still work to be done.

“It's a step in the right direction, approaching the problem to approaching the problems that arise here at SU, as it involves the Black community,” added Stokes. “SU’s commitment to this building is needed and we're grateful for it.”