Courtney Bankhead ’17

Meet sophomore Courtney Bankhead, the face behind Humans of Chapman. Humans of Chapman is a new and local take on the well-known Humans of New York. For those of you who don’t know, Humans of New York is an Instagram/Facebook page in which Brandon Stanton interviews random individuals he finds on the streets of New York. In these interviews, we see that the people we walk past every day have their own stories and lessons to share. By bringing that to Chapman, we learn more about classmates, friends, and new faces. With almost 1,000 likes on the Facebook page that was launched in January, HOC is continuously growing on our campus. I was able to meet with Courtney and get an inside look on the whole process. 

How did you first find out about Humans of New York?

I was with my friend, scrolling through Instagram, and she just showed me someone’s specific story. I really liked it and she explained how it works. I added the Instagram and absolutely fell in love. Especially in terms of social media, it gets used for things it isn’t normally used for. Humans of New York is the perfect way to connect with a large group of diverse people. I just fell in love with concept of what it is. It’s so easy and speaks a lot of truth, which I think Instagram and social media needs in general.

Why did you decide to bring it to Chapman? 

Partially because I got bored and needed something to do. But I think mainly because of the events and things you hear of “Chapman not being diverse” or “not recognizing diversity.” I think diversity has so many different platforms. We tend to think diversity means colors or majors. Chapman needs something like HOC to portray how many different people there are on campus. We’re such a small institution and there are so many different people. I was walking back from Dodge and I saw so many different people I had never seen before. We are always thinking of what we need to do next and we don’t even notice the people we walk past or are around every day. There’s so much diversity, why don’t we put that on a platform and show it?

What has been the hardest part about creating Humans of Chapman?

The university is so small. Compared to HONY […] you don’t see the same people everyday. Here, you see the same people and it becomes difficult because it’s a question of how do I go around and try to represent different people here. It’s a matter of separating myself from my schedule and making sure I can go around and get all of these different people from different parts of campus without any bias.

What has been your favorite part of the process? 

I’m so devoted and really curious about the human experience. Apart from my major, I’ve always been passionate about how our environment effects us, how we grow up, who we surround ourselves with, I think it’s so amazing how strangers are willing. I ask, “can I take a photo of you?” and they are so willing and open to share their stories with me. You talk to people enough and connect with them in a way that they know they can trust you and they are willing to share anything, which is probably the most rewarding thing. 

Is there something someone said that you really connected to?

I was walking through the Piazza and I saw this lady sitting on the benches. She was ruffling through all her bags and I go up and ask my questions. I asked her a lot of the questions which revolve around advice or struggles and how she’s evolved. I asked her the question, “if you could give someone a piece of advice, what would it be?” She responded, “enjoy every moment, be here now, be in this moment.” Then I asked, “when was a time when you didn’t live in the moment?” She said, “probably the 30 years of my life. I just didn’t get it.” In this university culture, we get so wrapped up in what we have to be and focused on the end goal that you don’t even notice the journey you are going through to get to that moment. Her saying that and her externalizing her thoughts really struck me. 

What is next for Humans of Chapman?

I’m thinking about starting a GoFundMe for a better camera. I’m a go with the flow kind of person and just want to make it bigger and better. No stress though, I’m just going with it and seeing where it goes. I’ve gotten a lot positive feedback which is really nice. 

Thank you Courtney for bringing our student body together, and sharing stories that normally would be left unsaid. If you haven’t already, check out the Humans of Chapman Facebook page, you may learn something about someone you already know.