Community is an integral part of success in college. Whether students find their home in athletics or honors societies, Drury University offers a range of opportunities to find family. 

For fourth-year student Cris Cuevas, home lies in the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), otherwise known as Brother to Brother. 

Cuevas is Founder and President of the university’s first SAAB chapter, and upon seeing the statistics associated with male graduation rates, Cuevas felt he had a responsibility. Per the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, only 39.3% of Black men graduated within six years upon starting college.¹ 

“Hearing those stats encouraged me to find community,” says Cuevas. “And SAAB’s number one goal is making sure their members graduate college and excel beyond…” 

Indeed, the success of SAAB reaches beyond Drury. Once a month, local chapters gather to educate themselves on professionality, participate in lectures, and cultivate community. These “SAAB Saturday’s” draw brothers who range from elementary school to college. Grant Booker, the Vice President of Drury’s SAAB chapter, says these Saturday’s have had a profound impact on him. 

“I’ve seen these brother’s go from strangers to people I can rely on over the course of my time in SAAB, and I’m extremely proud to be a part of such a passionate community,” Booker says. 

However, finding community in a predominately white institution (PWI) often presents challenges. One of the primary drivers for drop-out rates among men of color is the lack of accessible resources and pressure from institutionalized racism.  

“We need a space for Black men. When you look at how Black people are perceived at PWI’s, it’s shocking to say the least …We want unity but we need comfortability as well,” Cuevas said, explaining the importance of unity among collegiate men of color.  

“If you feel alone, especially in a PWI, finding some sort of community can be really hard.” Booker adds. “And SAAB is a community of good-intentioned peers that want to help you succeed.” 

The organization’s first official event, a street basketball tournament, will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024, in partnership with the Sigma Nu fraternity. With brotherhood, community engagement, and empowerment in mind, Brother to Brother hopes to foster connections in the greater campus community.  

Image by Zachary Stockton