By Khalailah Bynoe
The African Student Union (ASU) held their “Black Carnival Experience” event on Oct. 17, showcasing a variety of cultures that make up the Black and African American diaspora at Brooklyn College.
The event was hosted in conjunction with the Africana Studies department, the Puerto Rican and Latinx Studies department, the Black Student Union (BSU), Caribbean Student Union (CSU), Women of Color club, Haitian American Student Association (HASA), the Puerto Rican Alliance (PRA), Black and Latino Male Initiative (BLMI), Blaze Dance Team, the Women’s Center, and the Phi Sigma Chi Fraternity Beta Chapter.
The event had basketball games, henna tattoos, and food from various cultures within the diaspora. The itinerary included a dance performed by BC’s dance team Blaze followed by a singing performance by Fadì, and drums by Smokey. DJ TS Richards was playing music that had everyone on the dance floor. Students were able to discover clubs that they could resonate with and meet new people. The goal of the event was to have a collaboration of Black and Latino culture within the larger BC community.
“The Black Carnival experience was a great celebration of Black and Latino culture, bringing students together. As president of the African Student Union, I wanted to highlight the different clubs, organizations, and resources available to Black and Latino students,” Yerema Keita, president of ASU, told The Vanguard.
To other clubs at BC, it was an opportunity to be a part of an event that brought the many different clubs across the diaspora together.
“The Black Carnival Experience was a fantastic opportunity to highlight clubs that primarily serve people of color, who often go unnoticed. It was all about coming together, celebrating our culture, and showcasing what we represent to Brooklyn College students,” Fedia-Lynn Aristide, secretary of CSU, told The Vanguard. “Representation matters deeply, as it fosters a sense of belonging and validates our unique identities.”
The camaraderie by many of the clubs in the diaspora at the event gave them an opportunity to empower the voices of students, offering a celebration of each unique culture.
“African Student Union’s tabling event felt like a family get together, giving students a chance to celebrate diversity and unity, showcasing the vibrant black clubs on campus, and highlighting our shared heritage and empowering our voices,” said Tabitha Ferdinand, treasurer and engagement coordinator of the Women of Color club.
Another goal of the event was to help many new and transfer students of color find their place on campus and to provide resources for those in the community.
“It’s important for students, especially freshmen, to know that they’re seen and that there’s a community for them here,” said Keita. “There are many resources on campus that students may not know about, and I wanted to show that they can find support and connection through these groups.”
The celebration was a part of ASU’s continued mission to make sure everyone is represented and feel like they have a space on campus to go to.
“We wanted to make an event for students of color and to show that there is a space for them and to make everyone feel at home,” Rimaz Elmosbah, club connector of ASU, told The Vanguard. “That’s what the club is all about.”
For more information about ASU and future events, follow ASU on Instagram at @brooklyncollege_asu.