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The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
Rev. Brandon Thomas Crowley became Senior Pastor of Myrtle Baptist in 2009. (Image Courtesy of Thomas Crowley)

He Felt God Call Him to Come Out. Now, He Helps Black Churches Become Safe Spaces for Others To Do the Same.

Laney McAden and Riley Del Sesto • February 17, 2025
Thomas Crowley is the first gay paster at Myrtle Baptist Church, a Black church in Newton. Now, he's helping other churches welcome gay people.
The Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association has supported its members with monthly meetings, speaker events, a retreat, and an annual Martin Luther King Junior Unity Breakfast. (Photo Courtesy of the Black Faculty, Staff and Administrators Association)

BFSAA Fosters Excellence and Leadership for 50 Years

Eliza Hernandez • February 23, 2023
“As support for Black students and other students of color have been essential to their success, so too has support for Black faculty, staff, and administrators,” Johnson said. “Our anniversary is a testament of our commitment to not only the Heights community, but also to one another's success.” 
Tyrese Rice scored 2,099 points in his 132-game BC basketball career—good for fifth all time on BC’s career scoring list. (Photo Courtesy of BC Athletics)

Tyrese Rice Is More Than Just His Historic Performance

Jack Bergamini and Sourabh Gokarn • February 23, 2023
Tyrese Rice, a four-year player on Boston College men's basketball, is more than his 46-point game against North Carolina on March 1, 2008.
Myrtle Baptist Church, a formally welcoming and affirming church, has a unique history of activism and community involvement (Shruthi Sriram / Heights Editor).

Myrtle Baptist Church Remains a Cornerstone of Newton’s Black Community Throughout Its 149-Year History

Shruthi Sriram and Ella Song • February 23, 2023
Myrtle Baptist is unique as it has a history of activism and community work, allowing it to act as a haven for those that need it.
Leo Wang / Heights Staff

“Not Just for Ourselves, but for Everyone”: Black History Month’s Evolution at BC

Will Martino and Lucy Freeman • February 23, 2023
At BC, Black History Month programming has surged in the past 50 years, with new lineups of theatre performances, lectures, poetry exhibits, and more. But even now, students feel the BC community can better engage with Black History Month.
Bolden became BC women’s hockey’s first-ever Black Captain and became the first Black hockey player to compete in the NWHL. (Photo Courtesy of BC Athletics)

Blake Bolden’s Impact on Hockey Extends Far Beyond a Single Game

Graham Dietz and Luke Evans • February 23, 2023
Blake Bolden’s impact in hockey extends far beyond a single game in college, as she has broken many barriers and continues to advocate for inclusion in the sport.
Doxie McCoy, BC ’77, started a minority newspaper, Collage, during her time at BC to highlight the experiences of Black students on campus. (Photo Courtesy of Doxie McCoy)

First and Foremost, Doxie McCoy

Erin Flaherty • February 23, 2023
“Before there was authentic, there was Doxie,” Doggett said.
B.E.A.T.S Gives Students of Color a Voice Through A Cappella

B.E.A.T.S Gives Students of Color a Voice Through A Cappella

Sofia Torres • February 23, 2023
Black Experience in America Through Song (B.E.A.T.S.) is not just an a cappella group but a safe space for students of color on campus.
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Kaylee Arzu Depicts Black Culture and Elegance Through Portrait Photography

Josie McNeill • February 23, 2023
Kaylee Arzu, MCAS '24, portrays Black elegance, beauty, and culture through her portrait and fashion photography.
The Black Leadership Initiative teaches future social workers about the histories, philosophies, and cultures of the Black community. (Photo Courtesy of Tyrone M. Parchment)

Black Leadership Initiative Takes Afrocentric Approach to Social Work

Beth Verghese • February 23, 2023
“By participating in a program like this, it really puts into words what many social workers are already doing in the communities,” Milton said. “It is able to frame their experiences in a way that is different from traditional westernized ways.”
Professor Frederick, English professor and former AADS director at BC, strives to redefine Black identities and historicize Black history at BC. (Photo Courtesy of Rhonda Frederick)

Frederick Rethinks Conversation Around Blackness, Historicizes BC’s Black History

Spencer Steppe • February 22, 2023
“This is BC, not necessarily in the Black version, or the brown version, or the white version,” Frederick said. “It is part of the BC experience, so I wanted to raise that to, I guess, the general consciousness of the University.” 
Lucas began his historic tenure as the first Black Newton City Councillor since 1987 in 2021. (Photo Courtesy of Tarik Lucas)

Tarik Lucas Breaks Barriers as First Black Newton City Councilor in 40 Years

Olivia Joung • February 22, 2023
As city councilor, Lucas said he is always listening to his constituents and building relationships with Newton residents.
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