The Black Student Alliance, which is an umbrella organization to the Student Association, will hold the Mahogany Ball on Feb. 14. The theme of the event is “Celebrating an Enchanting Evening of Unity and Love.” BSA president Dan Coleman said he hopes this event can help bridge the gap between the races on campus.
“We are holding this event so the students can become more diverse and possibly have students from other races join us,” Coleman said. “We also want to get our African-American students more involved with campus activities.”
“This is what we call a campus-wide winter formal,” BSA vice president Jennifer Johnson said. “We want to incorporate everyone and this is a way because everybody likes to dress up, look good and go to parties.”
Coleman said he hopes that the group’s first formal will carry out into the regular yearly activities of BSA.
“We hope that this formal will start a tradition with the BSA and it can be something we look forward to every year,” Coleman said.
BSA is the governing link for all predominately African-American groups on campus such as the National Society of Black Engineers, Increasing Minority Achievement through Graduate Education, NAACP and all National Pan-Hellenic organizations.
Johnson calls this year a landmark year for the campus group.
“So far this year, we’ve done more work for the student population than any other term of BSA. As far as membership goes, every student is member of BSA, black or white, but during general body meetings, we have about 75 members,” Johnson said.
Johnson commented on the misconception about only black students being able to join and serve as members of the organization.
“We’re here to serve all students on campus,” Johnson said.
“We even have quite a few white students who are members. The truth is we’re all the same. We really have more in common than we do differences. We may not agree with administrative issues or various rules and regulations, but that’s what makes us individuals.”
Coleman said that the help from the Student Association has greatly contributed to this year’s success of the BSA.
“SA President Parker Wiseman has been great as far as working with us and voicing our needs to the Student Association,” Coleman said. “We have really been able to reach our goals.”
Reaching goals comes from the BSA’s involvement in students’ well being, adjustment to college life and activities. Member Deshundra Thomas said that BSA served as a guide for her freshman year of college.
“The BSA does a really good job in representing us African-American students,” Thomas, a freshman class representative, said.
“When I arrived here, I didn’t know who to go to for activities or events on campus. The BSA helped me find those things out, they even schooled me on things like what teachers to take. I am really grateful for that. I’m happy they serve as a voice for us.”
Chief of Staff Eric Wesley said he has also benefited from the workings of the BSA.
“This is my fourth year serving with the organization as a whole. My executive board position has taught me so much,” Wesley said. “I have learned how to deal with diverse personalities. With a group like this, you have to get ready for all of the yay and nay decisions, but for the most part it has been an enjoyable experience.”
During February, which is Black History Month, BSA will sponsor several activities for students along with the MSU chapter of the NAACP.
On Feb. 12, there will be a Black History Month quiz bowl co-sponsored by Resident Hall Association in Herbert Hall at 7 p.m.; Feb. 19, a discussion entitled Men vs. Women: Love, Sex and Relationships; Feb. 24-27, a Black Health Awareness Week with booths set up in the Colvard Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a final Black History Program with Representative Barbara Blackmon in the Swalm Auditorium at 7 p.m.
The Mahogany Ball will be held at the Hunter Henry Alumni Center at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Feb. 13 at the Colvard Student Union from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prices are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. Dress is black tie attire. For more information on the Black Student Alliance ,email Dan Coleman at [email protected].