Black Student Alliance hosts Soul Food Night

After much fundraising, the Black Student Alliance (BSA) hosted Soul Food Night to celebrate diversity and mental health.

On Feb. 21, 5:35 p.m., at the North Ballroom in the University Center, the doors to Soul Food Night opened. Guests were required to purchase tickets beforehand for $10 or at the door for $15. It wasn’t long before all tickets were sold out, filling the room with over 100 attendees.

From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., students Sephora Baroumbaye, Alicia Herbert, Tukano Salat and Gabriel Portis, respectively, presented on their personal struggles of being a non-white American as well as their thoughts on the Black Solidarity Conference they each attended. These student speakers promoted the message of seeking the help and comfort of others in their times of need instead of closing their ears and hearts to new friends and ideas.

Earlier in the night, food was served at 6 p.m. and included country fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, beans, corn bread and greens. Banana pudding was served for dessert at 7 p.m. and seconds were served after presentations. Soul Food Night was supplied by LEAD Sustainability with green, reusable dishware that was kept afterwards to be cleaned, making the event zero-waste.

“This event is zero-waste, and I look forward to seeing the entire BSA bring joy without producing waste. I also want to invite any club or organization to coordinate with LEAD Sustainability to get the materials for their own zero-waste events,” said Coordinator of LEAD Sustainability CJ Gooderham.

“The BSA is full of hard-working people who funded this event themselves, using things like bake sales,” said psychology professor Salif Mahamane.

Story by Western freshman Jamie Rivera.