Statement from Vice President of Student Life Dr. Kevin Jackson:

“Phi Beta Sigma had submitted a powerful, moving video performance for After Dark, a student variety show with limited time for each performance, that addresses many of the hurts and anxieties that our Black students, faculty, and staff currently face. After reviewing the chapter’s video submission, we felt that it should be elevated as a stand-alone performance and not simply embedded as one of several acts in this year’s virtual event.

On Thursday evening, we showed the previously recorded After Dark performance by Phi Beta Sigma as part of Student Life’s This Matters series, which was followed by a panel discussion by the chapter leadership and many of our campus experts. Unlike After Dark, this platform allowed us to have a deep, rich discussion not only about Phi Beta Sigma’s performance, but concerning the root issues they were trying to address.

In all of my years of working with students, I was emotionally moved by this performance unlike any other. We have a lot of healing that needs to take place within our country and on our campus. I truly appreciate the incredible talents and work of Phi Beta Sigma, and I thank the chapter, as well as those who served on the panel, for working with our staff to bring a brighter spotlight to this very important message.

I urge our entire campus to watch the This Matters program in its entirety, which is accessible at https://virtualstudentprograms.baylor.edu/ and let’s continue the conversation on how we can build a more caring community at Baylor and beyond.”