When it was established in 1969, the African American studies graduate program at BU was the first of its kind at the university. This year, the program is celebrating its 50th anniversary. While its membership has peaked at four students at a time, the program has had a lasting impact on the students and faculty who have taken part in the program over the years.

Approximately 130 local college students gathered for the BUNITED Student Diversity Conference featuring keynote speaker, third-year Harvard Law School student Derecka Purnell, in the George Sherman...