Black History Spotlight: The OnyxConnect.

Black Excellence is anything that we do that is dispelling the negative stereotypes. It’s in entrepreneurship, the arts/music, the education system. We need people like us to teach people like us.

As a Journalism student at Illinois State University, Junior Tiffani J noticed a void. Black student representation was a topic that very few media publications on her campus touched on. That needed to change, and she wanted to be the one to do it.

Before starting her journey, Tiffani actually worked for the student newspaper. As one of the very few Black writers on staff, Tiffani became more intrigued with the idea of being an advocate for the Black student population. In fact, it was her internal obligation. She published dozens of articles celebrating the African- American community on her campus. She was denied the opportunity to become Editor-in-Chief, after she’d openly expressed the goals she wanted to accomplish and the direction she wished to lead the paper, during the interview. Despite the increase of engagement and the new demographic opened towards the publication.

That didn’t mean it was over. In fact, she was just getting started.

After studying the history of Black Wall Street: an area of black businesses located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the the twentieth century, where money and resources were circulated through the community, she finally decided what she wanted to do. She made becoming the pioneer of a modern day Black Wall Street her goal.

First, she needed a name. “I wanted it to be something that screamed Black without saying Black. I just looked up synonyms [for the word black] and I found Onyx. It’s a stone, a gem, known for dispelling negative energy and promoting positive energy.” That was it! She knew she needed to promote positive images and show off Black Excellence while negating any stereotypes that featured Black people in a less than positive light. Tiffani goal is to connect different businesses and entrepreneurs to better their experience and further their reach, all while building their value.

The OnyxConnect was created on February 6 of last year as a solution to the problem of the lack of representation for African- American students on the campus of ISU. The philosophy and purposes of the publication is as follows: “The OnyxConnect gives voices to the voiceless and representation to the underrepresented. ” The publication highlights local barbershops, caterers, stylists, historically Black Greek organizations and much more.

OnyxConnect began with 7-10 students’ on staff and now holds 20+ members. Meanwhile, Tiffani currently works at another news publication, however, she is still enthusiastically reaching goals for her self-publication. She is hoping to get various chapters started, with a minimum of five, of OnyxConnect on several college campuses throughout the Midwest.

Tiffani J pays for everything out of pocket, as she refuses to take money from the University. “I want Onyx to be invested [in] and sponsored by the Black community. I want to be able to say it’s fully Black.” Following the advice of her mother, “If you want to make a change, it should be the change that you want to see. If you see a problem, don’t just complain about it; change it”. She has done just that. Tiffani uses her platform to increase exposure for black entrepreneurs and creatives.

At the age of 21 years old, Tiffani is extremely determined and ambitious. Her goals are real and the vision she has is truly incredible. To find out more on how to get involved or support OnyxConnect. Click this link https://www.facebook.com/theonyxconnectisu/.