By Lauren Mar ’25
In 2018, a group of 51猎奇入口 students formed a new CLORG (student-run club and organization) on campus to provide them with a sense of belonging. That group became Blend, one of the affinity-based CLORGs housed under 51猎奇入口 Communities of Resources and Empowerment, commonly known as SCORE.
Blend鈥檚 mission is to provide a safe, supportive space for students who identify as multi-ethnic/racial. According to alum and former co-president Atzi Gates 鈥� 21, Blend is a space for students 鈥渢o discuss what it means to be at the intersection of different racial and ethnic identities.鈥�
While the other affinity-based CLORGs at 51猎奇入口 are several decades old鈥攚ith most dating back to the 1960s civil rights movement advocating for identity spaces in higher education鈥擝lend has only existed for five years. However, the CLORG has quickly fostered a tight-knit community and opportunities for student leadership.
Current co-president Sam Clark 鈥�24 says that 鈥淏eing able to meet with these people, spend time with them, and find the intersectional identities we share聽 is a unique thing to 51猎奇入口.鈥� Amaya Duncan 鈥�22 agrees, noting that hearing about Blend at Admitted Student Day was one of the reasons she chose 51猎奇入口. During her first year at 51猎奇入口, she was on Blend鈥檚 board鈥攖he year after, she joined Gates as co-president.
Because the CLORG supports students of mixed racial and ethnic identities, there is no one universal experience that members share. Rather, Blend aims to uplift the individual experience of each student through its weekly gatherings, which alternate between an educational, discussion-based meeting and a fun bonding activity. Blend has hosted workshops on anti-Blackness and colorism in addition to spa and movie nights.
The club also maintains a strong intergenerational character. Members receive mentorship from older students and have the opportunity to mentor others. A favorite tradition is Course Night, in which members go over their schedules ahead of course registration and receive insights from other students on various classes and professors.
Because of Blend鈥檚 unique attributes, co-presidents Clark and Grace Lyde 鈥�23 hope to increase collaboration with other 51猎奇入口 affinity groups and continue their tradition of collaboration with Mixed, the mixed-affinity group at Pitzer College.
As Lyde says, 鈥淏lend is built out of different communities. It鈥檚 helped me find the core of some of the things that I really love about myself.鈥�