Black Students Union to host inaugural market event

The Maples

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This article was published 28/01/2026 (187 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Layla Waugh joined the Black Students Union at Maples Collegiate three years ago, when it was still in its earliest stages.

Looking back, the current president of the BSU admits she was “a very different person” at the time. While the Grade 12 student enjoys talking to just about anybody these days, she said her ninth-grade self was more shy, withdrawn and recovering from the social isolation of COVID-19 lockdowns.

However, when a group of students approached her about the Black Students Union’s very first meeting, she hoped she would find connection.

“I got a sense of what the club was going to be about,” the 17-year-old said. “And how it was something I’d be interested in.”

Now, Waugh has taken the reins of the group’s first fundraising market, Sweethearts and Soul, to be held in the Maples Collegiate Commons on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1330 Jefferson Ave.

Sweethearts and Soul will feature 37 vendors, the majority of which will be selling homemade goods, Waugh said. Given its proximity to Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14, its name alludes to a Valentine’s theme.

Waugh said the market will raise money for and raise awareness of the upcoming Evening of Black Excellence, which will take place at the school in April.

“(The evening) is an annual event hosted by the division,” Waugh explained. “Maples, Garden City and West Kildonan … all three of those high schools have BSUs. It’s a big celebration.”

The evening of excellence will feature food and entertainment such as poetry, music, karate demonstrations and activities for youngsters. A keynote speaker from Winnipeg’s black community will also be on hand, Waugh said. “Overall, it’s a really fun event.”

Waugh, who has run a small business selling custom jewelry for the past three years, said she’s excited that the BSU is putting on the market, and was happy to use her business experience and connections to use.

“I hope that hosting an event like this may inspire other students and schools to hold (similar) events … I just hope that other students involved in various clubs try new things and support what they’re passionate about,” she said, adding that Sweethearts and Soul and the work behind it is “all the things I love combined.”

Waugh said the Black Students Union at Maples meets weekly, with a goal of creating a safe space for black students and allies to connect outside the classroom.

The fact there are BSUs at Maples, Garden City and West Kildonan has resulted in several collaborative efforts and field trips. Each group is supervised by a teacher at its respective school, but the unions are almost entirely student-run. Accordingly, Waugh said she’s formed strong bond with fellow BSU members.

“Most of my friends are from BSU,” she said. “It also changed me as a person, because I have opportunities that I wouldn’t have in a regular class setting … The opportunity to try these things, plan events, communicate with people.”

“I know if I ever feel some kind of way, there’s a place I can go,” she added. “We’ve become a family in a way … It’s been really great.”