Students and faculty celebrated the annual Black Student Association Gala along with the office of Hope, Unity and Belonging in the Maddox Grand Atrium Thursday evening.
With the theme, “Young, Gifted and Black,” students and guests speakers used their life experience to highlight the importance of Black excellence.
“W.E.B. DuBois asked, ‘When will we ever stop saying the first Black to do it in the world?’ And that starts when we normalize ourselves in rooms like this. We deserve to be here,” said Darrell Brown, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church.
The importance of Black excellence and Black individuals trusting their path, seeking greater achievements and leading with authenticity is crucial, Brown said.
“When I was younger, I would ride with my mom at midnight to pick up my grandfather, and I used to get mad because I wondered why he couldn’t be something better,” Brown said.
Brown said he reflects on his grandfather's experience working as a janitor for Vanderbilt University Hospital to illustrate the importance of generational responsibility and education.
“It provoked me to say the same halls my grandfather would clean would be the same halls that I would get my education,” Brown said.
After the program, students were welcome to dance, take photos and mingle.
Vice President of the HUB D’Angelo Taylor said he appreciated seeing students participate in the event and their contributions to the Belmont community.
“We all may have different lived experiences, we may have all come from different places, but we are one Belmont University,” Taylor said.
African American students challenging stereotypes and preconceived notions is crucial, said junior motion pictures major and BSA parliamentarian Journey Triplett.
“We must show that we are excellent and that we are intelligent. I want everybody to step out because I love to see Black excellence,” Triplett said.
Michelle Jones, faculty fellow of management at Jack C. Massey College of Business, also spoke on BSA’s mission to promote Black cultural awareness and minority issues.
“The space you’re currently in could be uncharted. It could be unfamiliar, and in some instances, unwelcoming. Despite all that, each of you continues to thrive and it makes me immensely proud,” Jones said.
She said the need to give back to the community through programs like Nashville Rescue Mission, which attendees aided by donating canned goods at the door directly to the program.
“Christ made all of us. So regardless of what circumstances we have that lead us to be in a different place, we have an obligation to help and love the community around us,” Jones said.
The speakers also noted the importance of inclusivity and environments where students feel valued in all educational institutions.
“There are intentional efforts to erase a number of the accomplishments that we as a community have collectively put forth. So, any opportunity we must celebrate those, and I think it is critically important,” Jones said.
Brown challenged students to be the leading example on their campus.
Students must strive for excellence and support the next generation, he said.
“You are the essence of what it means to be Black. It is your job to model what that looks like. Black excellence is you doing your part and passing the baton on to the next person,” Brown said.
-
This article was written by Kyla Davidson