By: Kelley Traynham (’20), Staff Writer
Homecoming is a special & exciting time for students, alumni, faculty and the Carolina community. Many would say “its DHOE season” commencing all the fun festivities. At the height of everything, Carolina looks to crown a new Mr. and Miss UNC. The student body votes to showcase two seniors, one male and one female, who epitomize leadership, scholarship and service- the pillars of the Carolina Way. After being chosen, the new Mr. and Miss UNC complete a service project that is based on their election platform. Historically, Mr. and Miss UNC have been white Americans. In the year of 1979, UNC gained its first black Miss UNC. Fast forward to the year of 2017, the 50th celebration of the Black Student Movement our very own Aaron Epps and Micheline Amisi chose to ignite a light inside themselves making October 28th, 2017 yet another remarkable milestone for minorities on campus crowing them Mr. and Miss UNC.
Micheline Amisi is a senior, Business Administration Major originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her family currently resides in Lawrenceville, Georgia and after graduation she will be returning to Atlanta to start her career as a consultant with Ernst & Young. Micheline has a passion for education accessibility and one day hopes to head back to the DRC to open a school for the girls in her community. At Carolina, she is a member of various organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., BSM, the Minority Student Recruitment Committee and the Minority Business Student Alliance. Micheline would say that some of her favorite memories at Carolina would include getting accepted into the Business school, joining the Theta Pi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., being crowned Miss Black and Gold at the school, district and regional levels and most recently being crowned Miss UNC– however, she says that none of that would have been possible without the support of her family, her wonderful boyfriend (whom she met at Carolina) and her best friends. Micheline has six younger siblings and says that she understands that she is leading a team, and her hope is that one day, her siblings can be completely unafraid to chase all of their dreams because of the example she had set.
Aaron Epps is a Senior, Political Science major from Fairmont, North Carolina. Aaron will graduate in May of 2017 and plans to move to New York to pursue a career in banking. Aaron is involved with various organizations including being Senior Class Vice President, President of the Black Student Movement, a member of Undergraduate Honor Court, a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and a member of Harmonyx A Capella group. Aaron was selected as a BOLD Intern for People Operations at Google, which allowed him to conduct the needs assessment to identify areas of development between Google Marketing Solutions (GMS) managers and junior-level employees. Aaron has a passion for helping all people and would like to achieve an implicit bias training for all faculty on campus.
KT: What prompted you to run for Mr. UNC/ Miss UNC?
MA: When I first came to college, I saw Alyssa Townsend, who is now my prophyte, run for Miss UNC. A year later, Rachel McGirt, who is also now my prophyte, ran for the position and I was just amazed by their ability to be so brave and chase a dream that seemed impossible for a woman of color to achieve. As I pursued my organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., I learned that the first and second black Miss UNC were both Theta Pi and at that moment I knew it was a legacy unparalleled. I thought it was amazing that these women had served in such a role that allowed them to represent their community of color while serving their greater campus community. As time passed, I got more interested in running but never really thought it was something I could actually do— until some of my line sisters suggested that I go for it— a few months later, here we are.
AE: I wanted to run because I was passionate about my service project and I knew it would benefit a lot of the communities that I am a part of– and that are underrepresented on my campus. I wanted to use this platform to raise awareness around the subconscious, and sometimes harmful, stereotypes we have about one another and how we actively unlearn these through implicit bias training.
KT: How important is it that minorities are represented on this campus especially running for two prominent positions like Mr. UNC/ Miss UNC?
AE: When I think about what having a black Mr. and Miss UNC means to our ancestors who were denied the right to come here until the late 1960s– I am humbled to carry this crown for them. When I think about the slaves who built this institution, the students who fought for cafeteria workers’ rights, integration on Franklin St and in dorms; this moment is for them. But also it’s more than an ode to history; it is a moment for the present to show that we are here, we are meant to be here, and we CAN be in these positions.
MA: It is critical. A domino effect if I may— I saw my prophytes do it and so there was no excuse for why I couldn’t do it– Last year, Dani was crowned and I almost lost it out of excitement for her. Our mind is programmed to believe what we see, so if we see more representation– students of color will feel enabled and encouraged, and that, I think, is the first step
KT: Who have been your biggest supporters during this race and what have they helped you discover about yourself that you didn’t know before?
MA: WOW. I have had an unbelievable amount of support from many groups on campus. I felt overwhelming support from my campaign team (Gwendolyn, Anyssa, Jon, Embee, Jada Bianca, Dajah, Jaylen, Chuka, Lyndsey, Sosa, Josh and Shawn), my family, my chapter, my best friends and my endorsing organizations (Theta Pi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Mu Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Minority Student Recruitment Committee, Minority Business Student Alliance and the Black Student Movement). More than anything, I think they have helped me rediscover that I take on big challenges with clear purpose. I say this because I knew from the beginning that I was not doing this for myself nor could I do it by myself. In moments when I wanted to quit, I thought about my campaign team, the black voice and everyone that I would be quitting on and kept pushing through. Had it not been for the vision and mission, I would have fallen short to the doubt.
AE: The black community at UNC has rallied behind both me and Micheline and supported us from the very beginning. We would not be in this moment were it not for them. To my Miss, Micheline, thank you and I love you with all my heart. My cabinet in the Black Student Movement has also overwhelmingly shown me support– especially when I thought the outcome would not be what it was. I have to shout out my sponsors. Thank you all for making this moment what it has been: The BlaMe app crew, UNC Panhellenic Council, UNC MSRC, UNC BSM, and Creatives of Color. Lastly, to my best friends: Jacob, Justin, and Jacob, thank you for always holding me up when I’m feeling down.
KT: How do you see yourself making this campus better for all students if chosen as Mr. UNC /Miss UNC?
AE: I will work with our administration to put in a timed plan to have implicit bias training for all our faculty. I’ve already begun conversation with members of the Equal Opportunity Office to see what would be the most strategic way to have the training, but I also want to include the student voice as well– so be on the lookout!
MA: Having won Miss UNC, I will use my platform to encourage our campus community to live a life free of self-doubt. While my platform focuses on holistic health and wellness, I know that believing in one’s ability is the first step to accomplishing anything great especially in regards to health and wellness. I will partner with various student organizations to create a more cohesive, health-conscious student body.
KT: What advice can you give to others who are inspired to run for positions like this but don’t have the courage to do so?
MA: DO IT! I was so scared to run for this position for various reasons. But through this process, I was reminded that fear of failure is the enemy of success. I had to get over all the doubt and center my focus and the journey was ALL worth it. I understand that the goal will seem too large, or you may feel insecure but I am strong believer in two things:
- What is meant to be, will be
- When you want something, the whole world conspires in helping you achieve it
You owe it to yourself to give your whole self to all your hopes and dreams.
AE: Go for it. Literally, you only college once– and after those four years it is over. If there is anything you want go for it now. And have a community of support. This can look like your friends, family, or whatever you want it to be. Run your ideas by them, get feedback, and move forward with their support. They will hold you up during the most difficult of times. With going up for big positions like this, there is always a back-of-mind thought, “What if I lose,” but what if you win?
Micheline and Aaron, you are commended for your resilience and determination and forever will this monumental moment be a marker in Carolina history.
