Celebrating Black Legacy and Excellence: Esther Gitimu Cultivates Community as BSA President

Fostering connection, empowering Black students to thrive  

As Belmont concludes its Black History Month 2025 celebration, one student leader stands at the intersection of community building and cultural celebration. Esther Gitimu, junior public health major and president of the Black Student Association (BSA), embodies the transformative power of finding and fostering belonging on campus. 

Gitimu’s journey to Belmont was accompanied by an unexpected coincidence. As she searched for colleges through a tuition exchange program, her mom Priscilla Gitmu, was also on the hunt for a new position as a professor.  

“I believe it was just God’s way of putting the pieces together,” she said. "Right when we came on campus, we both fell in love with the atmosphere."  

Gitmu found that the traditional freshman challenges of not living at home for the first time and trying to adjust to the college environment were amplified as a Black student on campus.  

"At first it was very daunting to enter higher level academia and still be the only black student in class, especially higher-level lab classes," Gitimu shared. "I was used to being the only the Black student in my classes in high school and middle school, but this was the career that I wanted to go into." 

Her turning point came through BSA, where she found not just friends but a foundation of belonging. "Finding my footing with BSA gave me the confidence to pursue what I wanted in my academics," she explained. "It gave me a sense of community and a belief that I do belong here at Belmont." 

Community building is incredibly important to Gitimu, who credits her Kenyan heritage for her passion for bringing people together. In addition to serving as BSA president, Gitimu is also a resident assistant, helping foster community for students who live on campus.  

“A lot of the themes in my culture are surrounded by community," she said. "As a Kenyan American, I've always struggled with that individualistic mindset. In my community, it's not just about — it's about me and my sisters; me and my friends; me and my loved ones." 

Now as BSA president, Gitimu channels that cultural value into creating spaces where students can celebrate Black identity, legacy and excellence. Belmont’s Black History Month programming for 2025 reflects that vision, featuring events like the BSA Gala - "a night of grandeur where we can dress up and feel lovely in our skin" - and appearances by distinguished guests like five-time Grammy winner PJ Morton.  

One of Gitimu’s responsibilities as BSA president is to serve on the Black History Month planning committee. Her work involves offering valuable student insight, helping ensure the continued success of Black History Month events on campus. 

“I’ve always noticed how fruitful Black History Month at Belmont is,” she said. “There's always something to learn and to apply to your life whether it be an event where you learn about financial literacy or hear words of wisdom from experts.”  

Through her leadership, Gitimu continues to build bridges and create spaces where students — particularly Black students — can thrive together. 

"Black voices should always be uplifted, and we have so much to offer," she said. "During this month, BSA and the planning committee work to highlight the Black community and highlight how our gifted and talented Black students, staff and faculty contribute to Belmont’s beautiful landscape of community.”