On Saturday, February 28, Union’s Black Student Union held the 10th Annual Black Excellence Ball at College Park Hall. This year, the theme “Gilded Diaspora” celebrated a decade of Black excellence and complemented the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. The event presented two alumni speakers, Ashley German Soto and Ebyan Abshir, recognized students, staff, and organizations who have contributed to BSU as well as excelled in other areas. The ball commenced with a welcome from the executive board and a fabulous dinner provided by Union College dining.
The decorations created an elegant and beautiful atmosphere for guests that embodied the theme of the night and provided several photo opportunities throughout the hall. The ceremony opened with a performance of “Someday We’ll All Be Free” by Donny Hathaway from sophomores Isa Gonzalez, Angelina Martinelli, and Zion Schlussel, which radiated throughout the hall. Gonzalez stated, “The BSU ball is one of my favorite events! This year it was wonderful to focus on Black Joy — I picked the song because I felt it’s truly an ode to resilience and liberty. It was a delight to perform it.”. Additionally, there was an impactful poetry reading by Adonis Richards, which elevated the room.
Each performance was followed by awards presented by members of the BSU board. The event also hosted two alumni keynote speakers who reflected on their time at Union and spoke about the impact that the Black Student Union had on their experience while attending here. They spoke especially of how the club provided them an opportunity to grow as people, make friends, and find their place at a predominantly white university. Having the speaker come back and attend the program truly speaks to its impact and importance for students here at Union.
The event was attended by Union’s President Kiss, students, alumni, and staff alike. It provided a community space for Black students and all students here at Union. This event is especially important for the representation of students of different cultural backgrounds and minority students on campus. It provided a celebration of culture and excellence that could be shared among all Union students. Sophomore Narayani stated, “It was my first experience, but being in that room, I felt really immersed in culture and history”. The event finished with a dance party in the middle of the ballroom, where students and staff came together to share a moment, further emphasising the sense of community the event creates.
The Excellence ball was just one of the events for the essence of Ubuntu weekend. On Friday, February 27th, the African Student Union presented the 5th annual fashion show, which presented outfits under the collective title “Crowns of the Continent”. This was another fantastic event that celebrated the importance of Black History Month and the multitude of cultures we have here at the Union. The purpose of the fashion show is to celebrate the culture, creativity, and black excellence across Union that students witness every day.
The first act was called “Streetwear Meets Heritage” and showcased the impact and influence of African heritage beyond special occasions and into the everyday lives of people. Models showcased bold colors and intricate patterns that showcased the versatility of African fashion, even upon its transformation into more modern looks. The second act, “Royal Attire Across Africa”, was a tribute to African royalty across history. Models boasted outfits that ranged from East African barkcloth and North African caftans to West African gold-lined robes and Southern African beadwork and regalia, providing tribute to the power, legacy, and beauty of their African roots. The outfits that the students adorned were brought to life by Legacy Tailors and the photography was by Jatari Wells.
The weekend was a huge success for both the organisers as well as the attendees, and acted as a fitting end to the various festivities across campus that highlighted the importance and ongoing legacy of the Black History Month.
