BRITTANY PARSONS | guest writer
KATRINA JIMENEZ | guest writer
Members of the Black Student Awareness club and other students and friends attended the Annual BSA Coffeehouse to celebrate culture and enjoy dinner and a variety of performances Tuesday Feb. 24 in UTCC at 8 p.m.
The coffeehouse began with a dinner of ribs, cornbread, pork and beans and peach cobbler. It was accompanied by a performance by Soul’d Out. The group played soul music for the enjoyment of the guests. Following dinner, the program began. Performances included music, [step routines], dance and spoken-word.
The coffeehouse audience consisted of more than just members of the club. It was a chance for anyone to attend and see what BSA is all about. Freshman music major Amy Morton and freshman theater major Deanna Hudgens came to the coffeehouse to hang out and enjoy the vibe. Dwayne and Maria Garrett came to see their daughter sophomore business administration major Kirsten Garrett perform with UMOJA and enjoy the other performances.
In addition to celebrating African-American culture, the event also served as an outlet to celebrate Black History Month. February commemorates the 83rd year of Black History Month observance in the United States. The on-campus observation of Black History Month began in 1976.
“[The club’s purpose is] to bring awareness of black history to all APU students,” sophomore art major and BSA promoter Jasmine Coleman said.
Apart from celebrating ethnic culture, members of BSA had various reasons for becoming a part of the club.
“I started coming to the meetings while I was in high school with my sister who was a member of BSA,” senior psychology major and BSA president Brittany Barron said.
The Black Student Awareness club started around ten years ago by students who felt a need for community for African-American students. It is one of the oldest ethnic clubs on campus. BSA often discusses issues that surround African-Americans today and also plans events for students and their families such as Family Game Night to bring community to APU.
BSA is more than just a club for African-American students to come together. It provides an opportunity for students of other ethnicities to take a look into the African – American culture.
“BSA gives me a perspective of what [African-American students] go through, their realities and their history even though I am not an African-American student,” sophomore sociology major and A.M.I.G.O.S. officer Jonathan Garcia said.
The coffeehouse was an opportunity for any APU student, member or non-member, to attend an event where African-American culture was celebrated.
APU alumna and former BSA member Alexandria Parker said, “[The club] is a place to call home.”
