I saw a flyer for something called Black Excellence Week, immediately I was intrigued. The week consisted of different activities and events celebrating not only black culture, but minority culture as well.
The African American Cultural Center Ambassadors held an Open House and Minority Student Mixer on Monday, April 11, during Black Excellence Week. Organizations from all different backgrounds came together for a night of networking.
The organizations there were Black Student Union, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Black Artist Initiative, Hispanic Student Cultural Society, Christ the King Church, Sigma Lamda Gamma National Sorority, Inc., AACC Ambassadors, International Student Association, and the Native American Student Organization.
It was a beautiful thing to see people that looked different from myself and were into different things altogether in one space conversing, networking, and laughing. I personally hope that more organizations will take them time out to put themselves out there and connect with people that are different from them. I also hope that the minority community can come together more often.
“The event was open to all students to showcase all the wonderful minority organizations and the many opportunities they give to the community and students,” said AACC Ambassadors President Vani’Tra Braud.
Tables with each organization’s posters and flyers for upcoming events were set up, pizza and drinks were provided by Student Government, and the representatives from each group were allowed to give a little background on their org.
“All minority orgs were able to get together and that doesn’t happen often,” said NASO President Tegan Billot.
We students tend to be very withdrawn from one another, each confined to our own little factions. Blacks with blacks, whites with whites, hispanics with hispanics, asians with asians, and so forth. So having this event pulled people out of their comfort zones and encouraged them to see the beauty of diversity on campus.
“It’s always good to network and get to know people outside your circle. That’s what college is for,” said Darnell Theriot, President of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
I couldn’t agree more. College is more than just academics and receiving a degree. College is about the experiences you have and connections you make. Now is the time for us to meet new people and try new things, and this event was definitely a step in the right direction.
