October November December Real Talk Quotes ROP Scavenger Hunt Homecoming Pageant And more...
the
"In the records of West African history, “Griot� (pronounced gree-oh) was the honored name bestowed upon wise and knowledgeable story tellers entrusted with the task of documenting tribal histories and genealogies."
GRI T
Designed by: Kerriana Tatum Editor: Kerriana Tatum
B.E.S.T. B.E.S.T. S ST TA AF FF F Jaylen Spires 3rd Year Hospitality Management Jaylen.Spires@rams.colostate.edu
Aderonke Adebayo Human Development and Family Studies 3rd Year aderonke.adebayo@rams.colostate.edu
Jaquikeyah Fields Major: Political Science and women's Studies, Spanish Minor Third year Email Address: Jakeyah@rams.colostate.edu
Simone Butler Major: Business- Corporate Finance and Human Resources Year: Second Year Email: simoneb@rams.colostate.edu
Paula Mendoza Moreno Major: Chemical and Biological Engineering Third Year email: pauvmend@rams.colostate.edu.
2019-2020 2019-2020
Ethan Harris Major: Political Science Minor: Ethnic Studies 3rd Year ethan.harris@rams.colsotate.edu
Kerriana Tatum Major: English and Political Science 4th Year tatumke@rams.colostate.edu
Ahmed Hirsi Major: Human Development and Family Studies; Concentration: Prevention and Intervention Sciences and Leadership and Entrepreneurship Third Year Email: Ahirsi98@rams.colostate.edu
Lamar Arrington Major: Economics 3rd Year lamar.arrington@colostate.edu
Marcela Riddick Major: Zoology Year: 4th Marcela.Riddick@rams.colostate.edu
Journey Taylor Oliviah Nicol Jaelin Jones Major: Human Development and Major-Political science with a minor in Dejuan Chapa Major: Sociology Family Studies Major: Human Development and legal studies 3rd Year Third year Family Studies - Minor in Buisness Year- sophomore journeytaylor15@gmail.com jaelin.jones@rams.colsotate.edu Admin and Leadership Oliviah1@rams.colostate.edu
Year: 2nd Email: dejuanlowellc@hotmail.com
Autumn Redding Ahjina Hopkins Major : English and Ethnic Studies Major: Communications Studies 4th Year Minor: Film Studies Mia Adkins redding@rams.colostate.edu Ricardo Esparza-Munoz 4th Year Major: Interdisciplinary Liberal Arts Major: Civil Engineering Email: ahjinahop1997@gmail.com Year: 4th 2nd Year Email: ricardo.esparza_munoz@rams.colostate.edu msadkins@rams.colostate.edu
Sabrin Mohamed Major: Human Development and Family Studies with a concentrations of Per Health Year: 3rd Email: mohame17@rams.colostate.edu
B.E.S.T. B.E.S.T. S ST TA AF FF F 2019-2020 2019-2020
Alizayna Walton Major: Journalism Year: 2nd zayraedae@gmail.com
TJ Anderson Major: Biomedical SciencesMinor: LeadershipEmail address: TJ.Anderson@colostate.edu
Homecoming Parade written by: Jaquikeyah Fields
On October 4th, 2019 the Black/ African American Cultural Center partook in the Annual Homecoming Parade. This year’s theme for homecoming was Past, Present, and Future- so the B/AACC office was the “Return of the Black.” Many 1st year students, student staff, professional staff, and faculty were all decked out in all black and made an appearance leading the parade behind administrations float. Candy was given to all the families, and children
who watched the parade stretched through the campus community. Pageant contestants had their shine as well, wearing matching shirts and handing out candy. The parade is always an opportunity to show the Fort Collins community the Black bodies and voices that are at Colorado State University. BAACC partaking the parade is most definitely an event to look forward to, as we get our own spot in the parade every year!
Homecoming Tailgate written by: Alizayna Walton
On October 5, 2019, the Homecoming Tailgate brought many Rams home to cheer on our football team in their game against San Diego State. Many parents and families came to campus to visit students and enjoy the festivities of Homecoming. Beginning at 4pm, the evening was quite frigid, but that didn’t stop Rams from coming out to show support for our boys. Many alumni and current Rams showed their school spirit by striping out the stadium with green & gold.
During the tailgate, the Black/ African American Culture Center set up tents in the field in between the Recreational Center and the Lory Student Center alongside many other tents. Students, Parents, Faculty/Staff, and Alumni were all able to gather under the tent, listening to music and enjoy some tasty- and free- BBQ pulled meats and sides. Students had a great time dancing and laughing with B/AACC Staff and Alumni. By the end of the Tailgate, the food was gone and everyone was ready to watch the game.
HoP maegceoam i n g nt written by: Autumn Redding and Kerriana Tatum
DeJuan Chapa Homecoming Royalty and Congeniality
On October 6th, 2019, CSU got a taste of Black Royalty! The Homecoming Pageant was a night filled with style, grace, and friendly competition as the excited audience got a chance to see all seven contestants compete for B/AACC CSU’s Homecoming Royalty: Akilah Martin, DeJuan Chapa, De'Janay Smith, Mia Adkins, Taya Chapman, Marcela Riddick, and Samantha Robinson-Allsop. The contestants competed in a range of different categories throughout the beautiful evening. The evening was hosted by 2018 Royalty Winner Kerriana Tatum and Ram's Choice
De'Janay Smith Ram's Choice
and Congeniality Winner Micaela Parker. From beachwear—with an insight into what their Blackness means—to interviews, talents, and formalwear, the contestants gave the audience a great show. The pageant is a way to show off Black beauty and bodies in an empowering way, considering we rarely have spaces of our own to express our love for our community and Blackness. Special thank you to Jhasmyne Cooper-Moore for the evening's photography. Congratulations to our 2019 Homecoming Pageant and Mr. Congentiality winner DeJuan Chapa, as well as our 2019 Rams Choice winner De’Janay Smith!
BSA WEEK Following the tradition, Black Student Alliance hosted their fall “BSA Week” and it was as always, amazing. Starting the week of September 23, BSA kicked off the week watching the movie “SpiderMan: Into the Spider-Verse,” followed by a trivia night consisting of everything Black Culture. Next, hoping to build a better community with its members, BSA used their general meeting day to bond with its member on a more personal basis. A time full of fun, fellowship, and community building.
Then, adding one educational piece to the week Thirsty Thursday was comprised of an educational piece over alcohol content following a fun activity involving typical college themed alcohol activities. Unfortunately, Fridays “Night @ the Rec” event was cancelled due to the weather. Overall, BSA continues to engage with the community and its members through their lovely BSA week. Tune in next semester as they top the school year with their spring BSA week. written by: Mia Adkins
A Hunt for Ice Cream Ben & Jerry’s? Who in the world would not want to get free ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s. On September 26, 2019 the Black/African American Cultural Center had their annual Rites of Passage Outing in Old Town, the Scavenger Hunt. This outing was another way for the mentees and mentors to continue building their relationship. For this event, all the mentees and mentors took public transportation down to the downtown transit center and were split into two different teams. Each team had a list of places to go to and list of tasks that needed to be done once they reached each destination. The first team to finish would be the first team to get free ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s! However, in order for the teams to win, each team had to work together to find their way through Old Town.
written by: Sabrin Mohammed
Everyone started at the same place, same time. The team that won started their first destination at the Aggie Theater and their last destination was at the Old Town Square. This was where they met with Professional staff from the B/AACC office and showed them proof that all tasks were 100% completed. Photos and videos had to be presented as proof. Overall, this experience was amazing, from the mentees and the mentors getting to know each other, learning to navigate through Old Town, and getting free ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s.
Skate the Night Away For the Black/ African American Cultural Center, the Rites of Passage Program is a peer mentoring program that aims to connect with every incoming first year students at CSU who identify as or with the Black/African American Culture. The B/AACC office does this by putting on events for first-year students to come together and connect with one another. One of these programs is the ROP Skate Night. The Rites of Passage Skate night is always a good night full of laughter, fashional gliding, and, of course, falling. This year we had it at Rollerland. There was great music and minor competition ranging from speed skating to skating backwards! This year’s Skate night was a great time and we invite all students, including non-first year students, to come in the future and have a great time with us!
written by: Jaylen Spires
SKEE-WEEK written by: Simone Butler
During During the the third third week week of of October, October, Xi Xi Eta Eta Chapter Chapter of of Alpha Alpha Kappa Kappa Alpha Alpha Sorority Sorority Incorporated Incorporated hosted hosted their their Fall Fall Skee Skee Week. Week. This This week week included included four four different different events events along along with with daily daily posts posts and and aa three three week week long long request request for for donations. donations. On On Monday, Monday, the the Xi Xi Eta Eta Chapter Chapter hosted hosted Money Money Monday Monday in in the the CSU CSU Morgan Morgan Library Library with with guest guest speaker speaker Cody Cody Ramos. Ramos. Cody Cody discussed discussed pertinent pertinent information information pertaining pertaining to to financial financial literacy literacy and and the the financial financial journey journey of of aa college college student. student. Mr. Mr. Ramos Ramos went went over over aa wide wide variety variety of of topics topics such such as as ways ways to to improve improve aa credit credit score, score, the the proper proper use use of of aa credit credit card, card, side side hustles, hustles, student student loans, loans, investing, investing, and and budgeting. budgeting. On On the the second second day day of of Skee Skee Week, Week, the the Xi Xi Eta Eta Chapter Chapter posted posted an an educational educational flyer flyer about about HBCUs HBCUs on on their their social social media. media. The The posts posts contained contained fun fun facts facts about about various various HBCU’s HBCU’s across across the the country country including including Grambling Grambling State State University, University, Virginia Virginia State State University, University, Prairie Prairie View View A&M A&M University, University, and and Spelman Spelman College. College. On On Wednesday, Wednesday, the the Xi Xi Eta Eta Chapter Chapter promoted promoted women’s women’s health health by by going going
to to the the CSU CSU Rec Rec Center Center for for Work Work Out Out Wednesday. Wednesday. Thursday Thursday consisted consisted of of aa FAFSA FAFSA and and college college readiness readiness workshop workshop in in which which the the Xi Xi Eta Eta Chapter Chapter invited invited high high school school students students to to the the LSC LSC to to have have aa conversation conversation about about preparing preparing for for college. college. On On the the final final day day of of Skee Skee Week, Week, the the Xi Xi Eta Eta chapter chapter reminisced reminisced on on the the Harlem Harlem Renaissance. Renaissance. Participants Participants showcased showcased their their creative creative sides sides while while sipping sipping on on nonnonalcoholic alcoholic sparkling sparkling cider. cider. The The Painting Painting with with aa Twist Twist event event was was instructed instructed by by the the talented talented Kerriana Kerriana Tatum. Tatum. Ms. Ms. Tatum Tatum guided guided participants participants to to create create aa Harlem Harlem Renaissance Renaissance themed themed painting, painting, but but each each participant participant created created their their own own interpretation interpretation of of her her work. work. In In support support of of the the Lions Lions Club Club and and Soles4Souls, Soles4Souls, aa large large number number of of shoes shoes and and glasses glasses were were collected collected before before and and throughout throughout Skee Skee Week. Week. Overall, Overall, the the Xi Xi Eta Eta Chapter Chapter of of Alpha Alpha Kappa Kappa Alpha Alpha Sorority Sorority executed executed an an extremely extremely successful successful Skee Skee Week Week that that was was both both educational educational and and fun. fun. The The Chapter Chapter is is looking looking forward forward to to another another successful successful semester semester and and will will be be hosting hosting more more events events soon. soon.
UWC WEEK written by: Journey Taylor
UWC UWC week week is is aa week week full full of of events events presented presented by by the the United United Women Women of of Color Color that that happens happens twice twice a a year. year. The The theme theme for for each each day day is is different different and and selected selected by by current current members members of of the the organization. organization. The The purpose purpose of of this this week week is is to to engage engage with with current current members, members, meet meet new new faces, faces, and and be be in in community community with with one one another. another. Monday Monday was was Movie Movie Night Night Monday Monday with with pajamas pajamas and and pizza. pizza. We We showed showed the the movie movie "Little" "Little" in in the the behavioral behavioral sciences sciences building, building, we we enjoyed enjoyed eating eating pizza, pizza, while while in in our our pajamas, pajamas, and and being being together. together.
Taco Tuesday was a date night, we dressed up to dine at the delicious Cafe Mexicali which was kind enough to collaborate with us for a fundraiser. During Wellness Wednesday we had a day of relaxation complete with coloring pages and winter hair care talk. Thursday we turned up on the plaza, talked with students and collected donations. Friday, On Fleek Friday, we dressed for success for a golden hour photoshoot on the Oval. Overall, the week was full of fun, laughter, and Black Girl Magic.
. . . k l a T s Let'
Real Talk is a weekly program facilitated by students.
It is a space that allows for students to discuss a
variety of topics surrounding identity, popular
culture, current events, and many more. Here are a
Students gathered in the Braiden lobby to discuss ways of overcoming the trauma of the fall semester. Our keynote speaker, Theo Wilson, was also present in the space to share his thoughts. ter grea der e r ’ e ar en w rs, it’s h h “W ”be art. um in n r us ap o ea bay to t Ade e k “Healing Ron
“Wha t you use t is not o cop what e you n heal. eed t Heali o ng is term. long Copin g is n Theo ot.” Wilso n
for me is environmental.” Xavier Hadley
ge, in a e a t r b ce ould ke “At a h s e ta pl peo ed to re t.” ir es requ rivers t rd ayo thei deb A e k Ron
by: Ahjina Hopkins
few quotes from previous Real Talks:
Students had the opportunity to discuss anything on their minds from a variety of topics. It opened up with a debate on whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza (it does not) and ended with interracial dating.
“At a certa in age peop , le sho uld b requi e red to retak their e drive rs tes Ronk t.” e Ade bayo
“At a certa in age peop , le sho uld b requi e red to retak their e drive r s test.” Ronk e Ade “There’s bayo a differ ence betwee n love a nd fetishiz ation.” Joseph Adenow o
the e of ffices is s o p o pur PS] hat “The ent [SD ace w p er es diff e th k be.” a o m t t o i t t wan arker we P aela Mic
“So we’re talking about cloning?” Kerriana Tatum
REAL Talk!
SPEAKYOURTRUTH MLK SPOKEN WORD EVENT
This years Dr. MLK Spoken Word competition was a poetic and humorous space. The evening started out with folks engaging in community with a lovely dinner catered by Spoons, good music, and fellowship with each other. The competition was hosted by our very own Ahjina Hopkins, with encouraging words, positive vibes, and good laughs – kudos to you. Our four awesome contestants – Mia Adkins, Breonna Abuya, Jordan Khalfani, and Xavier Hadley – brought the heat with
words, personal stories, and their truths to fit the competitions theme “Preservation to Manifestation”. Ultimately, Xavier Hadley took away the win for this years’ Spoken Word competition. A special thank you to our judges – Ahmed Hirsi, De’Janay Smith, Bolu Folarin, Jalessa Roberson, and Michelle Mendoza (past winner) – for your role in supporting this event. Looking forward to hearing Xaviers piece at the upcoming Dr. MLK Day Celebration.
written by: Adrian Jones
Black Healing Week - Fall 2019
“Healing yourself is connected with healing others.” - Yoko Ono
JOIN US FOR UPCOMING EVENTS: February is Black History Month Join us for the Black History Month Kick-Off Friday, January 31, 2020 4:00PM-6:00PM LSC Theatre
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Community Service 9:00AM March 11:00AM Celebration 12:00PM Keynote Speaker: Ryan Ross