PVCC Celebrates Black History Month
To honor Black History Month, the Black Student Alliance led a celebration of Black culture in the North Mall meeting room on Feb. 24. It included music, dancing and refreshments. From 12-2 p.m., students had the opportunity to drop by and enjoy poetry, lively swing and smooth jazz. With the help of Chef Ralph Brown, one of its leading members, the BSA provided food including chicken wings, pizza rolls and vegetable platters.
The Cotton Club, as the event was called, focused on the Harlem Renaissance and celebrated the artists who rose to popularity in the 1920’s. Poetry included selections from Langston Hughes. The intimacy of the small space in the North Mall meeting room was juxtaposed by the energy exuded from the dancers, and though it was a little dark, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves eating and chatting. Cameren Grooms, a member of the BSA and an organizer for the event said, “The idea for the event came from the feeling that Black culture and history were not being celebrated enough.”
For Grooms, an Education major, Black History Month is about learning from the lessons of the past. He believes it is a time in which the sacrifices made by those before him are “brought to the forefront” of his mind. Grooms said it was a “time for me to look at what people did to allow me to be where I am today.” When asked which people in particular came to mind, Grooms mentioned Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Dr. King is most inspiring.”
Throughout the event, Grooms also discussed contemporary Black culture. “People need to listen to what he’s saying, not just what he’s doing,” Grooms said in reference to rapper Kendrick Lamar. “Artists should be aware of their influential position and use it wisely,” he added.
As the event was winding down, Grooms pointed to the man who catered it, Chef Ralph Brown, to thank him for making the event a success. He also thanked the BSA’s advisor, Dr. Wert, and all the students that stopped by. “It’s about having fun,” said Grooms. With all the soulful sounds and even more soulful food, there was no shortage of fun.
