Presidential and vice presidential candidates Miyah Jones and Cydney Perkins are running for seats that have never been held concurrently by two Black women.
*An earlier version of this article contained a factual error stating that “neither the MSA presidential or vice presidential position has ever been held by a Black woman”. The text should have read that the candidates would be the “first two women of color to serve concurrently in the offices of President and Vice President”, as the office of vice president has been held by Black women in years prior.
Juniors Miyah Jones and Cydney Perkins are running for Missouri Students Association president and vice president, and they discussed their campaign, titled Mizzou4U, in a press conference on Wednesday.
According to Jones, Mizzou4U is significant because of its prioritization of student needs and focus on advocating for students.
“I just think it’s going to be a powerful moment,” Jones said. “There’s so many emotions I get thinking about it, it’s amazing that we’ve made it this far already … so it’s hard to stop and take a breath. It’s going to be one of those moments where everybody looks back and says, ‘I was a part of history.’”
Jones and Perkins are both Black women. While the MSA vice presidential position has been held by a Black woman in the past, if both Jones and Perkins are elected, the candidates would be the “first two women of color to serve concurrently in the offices of President and Vice President,” according to MSA President Josiah Mendoza. Jones said this provides momentum for the campaign.
Perkins said the two hope to inspire others with their historic run.
“We’re in Black History Month and we’re literally making history,” Perkins said. “We’re just moving the next generation forward.”
Jones said Mizzou4U would serve as a liaison between students and administration.
“When I was trying to come up with a name [for the campaign], I wanted students to know that we’re here to serve you guys, we’re not here to just come up with our own agenda,” Jones said.
A political science major on the pre-law track, Jones believes her ability to connect with others and knowledge of government will make her stand out among other candidates.
“I’m your peer at the end of the day,” Jones said. “So having that connection, we can talk about the harder things. I also have a lot of knowledge, government isn’t anything new to me, so it won’t be hard for me to get things going.”
Perkins, who is majoring in Black studies and political science on the pre-law track, noted her leadership in student events like Summer Welcome and unique approach to solving problems as strengths she’d demonstrate.
“Summer Welcome was a great opportunity for me to learn about what resources the university has for students, so I definitely feel like I’d bring that knowledge as well as connectivity,” Perkins said. “I’m really big on innovation. Starting things, creating things, if something is lacking, I’m willing to put forth the effort and the time to make our place a better place.”
According to Jones, their platform will focus on student knowledge of campus resources and reshaping MSA culture.
“When Cydney and I served in government this year, we felt like a lot of information was being [withheld], and we want to circulate the knowledge of what Mizzou student government can do to everyone,” Jones said. “We also want to establish culture, and we want to make sure that people know we are their friends.”
If elected, Jones and Perkins hope to work with other student government organizations like the Legion of Black Collegians and Graduate Professional Council, as well as non-student government organizations.
“We have a tour coming up where we are going to different organizations and letting them get to know us,” Perkins said. “We also definitely want to educate students on what MSA is. In the past few years, very few students vote and are represented, so we want to spread the word.”
The two also plan to prioritize social justice policy in light of recent unrest at MU following a student’s racist social media post, which ridiculed the deaths of Black people.
“We’re elevating the voices of the students we represent,” Perkins said. “We’ll hold hands with them and advocate on their behalf so that they can be students.”
Jones said fostering open dialogue and change between students and the university is their top priority.
“If elected, we really want to offer a more open forum for students, no matter what the university can or cannot do,” Jones said. “We don’t just want to be that shoulder to lean on — we want to hold the administration accountable. We’ll be in the forefront with students.”
Edited by Mercy Austin | maustin@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Mary Philip
