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Kitsap Black Student Union
Where Our Youth Matter
Our Mission Statement
Kitsap Black Student Union’s mission is to provide a safe space to celebrate culture, learn and preserve our rich history while empowering youth leadership through mentoring and community service.
Our Vision
Our vision is to encourage local Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) youth to take pride in our heritage and city while amplifying their voices through social justice initiatives.
The Why of BSU
Kitsap Black Student Union amplifies student voices and needs by providing safe spaces for BIPOC students to gather and share their experiences. We connect students across Kitsap County to build a strong cultural alliance while also bringing awareness to the local community.
In 2020, after the George Floyd protests, many students expressed their outrage over the events that led to mass protests all over the country. Students were vocal about continued racial discrimination and mistreatment at various schools in multiple districts across Kitsap County. There was an outcry for community involvement, mentoring and organizing structure. As we began to work with students the idea of a black student union happened organically. Our students of color were at a disconnect in public schools and not reaching their full potential due to these outside risk factors. Kitsap Black Student Union came out of the need for representation, the need for cultural awareness in the school system and a unique mentorship relationship that was already happening. Our program has taken off quickly because we encourage youth to vision for the program that they want to lead. We support our youth by building their confidence, building their leadership skills and encouraging them to take pride in their community.
“It is students who have called out injustices across our nation and led nation-wide protests against racism in schools. The movement continues because young folks never give up! To give up hope is to imagine a world where our voices do not matter. We are not where we should be, but it is important to note that we will get there! We are almost there.”
Jewel Shepherd-Sampson 2023
Education
Black education is an essential part of empowering Black communities and promoting equality. However, access to quality education can be a significant challenge for Black students due to systemic racism and other socioeconomic factors. Nonprofit organizations play a critical role in addressing this challenge by providing resources and support to Black students and their families.
Research
Black non-profit organizations play a critical role in addressing a variety of societal issues that disproportionately affect their communities. However, without careful research, the effectiveness of these organizations may be limited. Here are a few reasons why research is crucial for black non-profit organizations:
Belonging
The Black Student Union has historical roots in African-American Community for more than fifty years. BSU has been a safe space for students of color to celebrate one another, preserve and learn culture, build leadership skills and become social activists. Everyone is welcome in the BSU. Diversity is celebrated by being inclusive through story-telling and building relationships across cultures.
Event Planning
Events serve as opportunities to generate much-needed funds, build relationships, and raise awareness of the issues affecting the black community. Effective event planning can help organizations create planned and carefully executed events that inspire attendees to take action for change.
Jewel Shepherd-Sampson
Founder
Executive Director
Jewel Shepherd-Sampson is a native of Bremerton, Washington. She was born at Bremerton Naval Hospital in October 1980 to Pearl Jean Shepherd and Henry (Hank) Wadsworth Longfellow Shepherd II.
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May 31st 2023
Kitsap Regional Library - Rainier Room
Jewel Shepherd-Sampson is a native of Bremerton, Washington. She was born at Bremerton Naval Hospital in October 1980 to Pearl Jean Shepherd and Henry (Hank) Wadsworth Longfellow Shepherd II.
Jewel has been an active member of Kitsap County since she was a little girl, under the tutelage of the late Bishop Lawrence Robertson. Some of her early childhood accomplishments include starting The Black Youth Organization under Blacks in Government, Founder of Bridge Builders Multicultural Club at Marcus Whitman Junior High, School President Marcus Whitman Junior High and Black Student Union President at Bremerton High School. While attending college at Central Washington University, Jewel continued to strive for excellence. She made the Dean’s list several quarters and was officially inducted into CWU’s Honor Society. She has been a mentor with Our Gems for the past 7 years and is a regular volunteer with Kitsap Strong/Graduate Strong. She is very active in several different organizations including:
Port Orchard Police Department Community Advisory Panel
FilAm Filipino-American Association Board of Directors
Puget Sound Regional Council Equity Board
Port Orchard Equity Club
Her greatest accomplishment to date is being the Founder and Executive Director of Kitsap Black Student Union. A 501(c)3 non-profit leadership organization that caters to BIPOC students in Kitsap County. It is important to note that this organization is the only community Black Student Union grades 6th through 12th across our nation.
Jewel Shepherd-Sampson is a household name in Kitsap County. You can usually find her hosting monthly meetings, hosting community events, doing community service with her crew or hanging out with her husband Darius Sampson and puppy Mocha Sampson. She credits her perseverance and determination to her late Mother Pearl Jean.
Our Staff
Darius Sampson
Vice President
Darius Sampson is a retired Navy Veteran and is currently employed as an Engineering Technician at Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport. He has 35 years of federal service. He is known for always having a positive mindset, a love for people and being a proud native of Pelham, Georgia. Darius believes his love for people is natural because he lived and grew up on Love Street. Pelham is a special place and equipped him with special talents such as empathy and strong character. Darius was a Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor and continued his education by earning an Associates of Arts degree in Chemical Dependency at Olympic College. He has also studied Marine Electronics, Organizational Leadership, and earned a certification as a Physical Fitness Specialist. He loves sports, reading books on leadership, psychology and stoicism. He is interested in helping youth and parents discover their strengths, gain self-esteem and learn emotional hygiene. He especially looks forward to not only mentoring youth but also listening to their voices and learning from them.
Shannon Manning
Treasurer
Shanon Manning is a long-time resident of Bremerton, Washington. She has spent the last 26 years volunteering throughout Kitsap County with various non-profit organizations and has found a permanent home with Kitsap Black Student Union. She is proud to serve organizations that focus on youth mentoring, leadership and community engagement. Shanon completed two terms with AmeriCorps; with the second term serving as Kitsap Youth in Action Team Leader. She earned Kitsap Community Resources/Americorps Member of the Year 2008-2009. Shanon makes it a priority to stay connected with the community by helping out with local non-profit organizations. Her goals with Kitsap Black Student Union are to further the organization's mission by being present, patient and supportive with youth members, volunteers and local community partners. Together we can build a better Kitsap!
Tenika "Nikki" Williams
Board Advisor
Tenika "Nikki" Williams is a dedicated professional who is committed to equity, inclusion, and empowering Black students. With over 20 years of experience in education and advocacy, she has played a significant role in supporting the success and well-being of Black students in Kitsap county. Nikki has a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges faced by Black students and a deep knowledge of how the educational system works. She has worked tirelessly to address systemic barriers, promote cultural competency in the classroom, and continues to advocate for equitable policies and practices. Nikki has extensive expertise in promoting equity and inclusion in educational settings. She has developed and implemented initiatives, programs, and policies aimed at reducing achievement gaps, promoting cultural responsiveness, and fostering a sense of belonging for students of color. She has a proven track record of effectively advocating for the needs of Black students within educational institutions and engaging with community stakeholders to create meaningful
Henry Shepherd
Historian
Henry “Hank” Shepherd is a native of Dallas, Texas however he has made Washington his new home for the last 43 years. He is a graduate of Highline Community College in Washington where he studied to be a Paralegal. He also graduated from University of Washington, Tacoma with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Urban Planning. Hank has 40+ years of working with youth in Kitsap. He has worked with various federal programs that catered to youth and their families. Some of those projects included teaching young men to learn landscaping, gardening techniques and basic automotive repairs. One project he is particularly proud of was a program called African American Families, a 16-week program that consisted of workshops for senior citizens, youth and families. As the Historian for Kitsap Black Student Union, Hank hopes to bring culture, history and appreciation for ancestry back to our communities. He raised his children to survive and then thrive. He hopes that as the times change, that concept changes to thriving and not just surviving.
Christine "Chris" Gray
Executive Assistant
Christine “Chris” Gray is a single mom of three adult children, one son and two daughters. Chris is originally from the Oakland Bay Area, but has lived in the Pacific Northwest for the last 20 years. She currently resides in Port Orchard, Washington. Chris's background with serving youth has mainly consisted of volunteering for the Youth Department at Sinclair Missionary Baptist church. At the church she serves community through mentorship and servant leadership. She also served as the Youth Director for the youth department for one year and was Assistant to the Director of the Red Circle, (a youth program designed to mentor young girls, grades K-12.) As a mentor with Kitsap Black Student Union, Chris hopes to positively influence and challenge any negative internalized feelings that underserved youth may have about themselves and their culture or ethnicity. She has also made a commitment to empowering youth to have the courage to make positive changes in the community in which they live.
Dolores "DeeDee" Anderson
Board Advisor
Dolores "Dee Dee" Anderson was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She has been a resident of the Pacific Northwest since 2015. She holds a Bachelor's of Psychology degree from Columbia College of Missouri. Dee Dee currently works at Cardinal Health as an Account Management Consultant for Virginia Mason. Dee Dee has a passion for youth and enjoys giving back to her local community. Kitsap Black Student Union gives her the outlet to serve while making a difference in young people's lives. In her spare time, Dee Dee enjoys game nights with friends and being a fur mom to her cat, Phoenix. She is also active in her church community in Poulsbo, Washington.
