The purpose of the BSA is to: 1) provide support for our membership through academic programming and extra-curricular activities; 2) provide political representation for African-American students within the Vanderbilt Community; 3) increase the African-American presence within the Vanderbilt Community through the recruitment and retention of African-American students, faculty, and staff; 4) promote pride and awareness of the African heritage through service, not only to its members but to the entire Vanderbilt Community; and 5) support and promote the recognition of the significant contributions of different ethnic and cultural heritage.