Name: Daniel Bost
Hometown: Seaside, CAL
Sport: Basketball
Program: Business
Year: 3rd-year
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a time of reflection, remembrance, and gratitude. My life wouldn't be what it is today if those before me didn't sacrifice. Now I get to focus on basketball, school, and the next hangout with my friends. I don't have to constantly fear for my life or the lives of my family members and closest friends.
Perspective is everything. I was able to speak with my grandma Membra Bost who grew up in Hickory, North Carolina, during the 1960's. She explained to me how she lived in a bubble. The Black people lived in one community with schools and churches all in one area. The only time they had to leave was to acquire groceries. She also explained that they would have marches and protests inside Hickory and even school walkouts. However, they would only do so in their area, not in places like downtown. Thankfully she didn't experience harm and violence during the 60's, North Carolina held the most KKK members at around 10,000. People before me had to endure a lifestyle that I'm unaccustomed to, a lifestyle full of separation and pain, also a lifestyle of resilience.
Thus, Black History Month for me is a month full of appreciation and thankfulness for my people for allowing me and many to enjoy the lives we have today.
How do you - or how do you hope to - use your voice to bring change to our community?
The best way to bring about change is to be a positive example for my younger siblings and family. For instance, I took my little sister with me to protest the unjust killings of Black men and women. I hope that being a part of such a powerful movement would help empower her. Furthermore, I hope she understands the power people have when they're trying to invoke change. I hope I can be a positive role model for my siblings and family, I hope to be another strong Black influence they can turn to if need be.
Is there someone from history or the present-day that inspires you?
For inspiration, I would like to shout out my Aunty Miriam Smith. She has always been pro-Black and has done what she could to help the youth in my community. She has organized book clubs to help kids read, organized fundraisers to take kids to places like Six Flags, and organized a protest to fight for causes that affected Black people. She also uses her social media platform to advocate for Black people and uses her voice to speak up. She gave a great speech down at City Hall, she expressed how tired she was and how tired we are as a people of all the injustices. Therefore, My Aunty is a person who inspires me through her dedication, toughness, and willingness to help our community any way she can.
Name: Richie Mageto
Hometown: Surrey, BC
Sport: Basketball
Program: Science
Year: 3rd-year
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month to me is a chance to reflect. A chance to reflect on what our ancestors had to endure for us to be able to enjoy the lives we live but also a chance to celebrate accomplishments and advancements that have been made by Blacks. I celebrate the advancements made by historical Blacks and by my family members.
How do you - or how do you hope to - use your voice to bring change to our community?
I use my voice to inspire my community that anything is possible. As a TRU Men's basketball player, I know I have a bit of a platform and that there is always someone watching. I choose to inspire through my actions and morals. I mean who would have thought that a Black president would ever grace the White House, but it happened. That's the energy I like to spread.
Is there someone from history or the present-day that inspires you?
The Black individual that inspires me the most would have to be my mother. My mom is a nurse in Surrey, but she started her career in Nairobi, Kenya. She had to battle hate and adversity from all over to make it to where she is right now. Words such as "they'll never let a Black nurse take care of them" were often thrown at her but against all odds she moved to Canada and was able to bring the rest of us here. She gets up everyday and works for herself and her family and never complains. She's able to take all that life throws at her and keep going. To me she is a superhero and I'm forever in awe of her. I thank God that I have her in my life as someone I can look up to. It's impossible to not be a hard worker when she is a prominent figure in my life.
