2008 Woodie Awards
Valley Celebrates Black Heritage
Will Reyes
Issue date: 3/1/06 Section: News
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With dozens of tables set up featuring items ranging from soul food and barbeque to African-American art quilts, jewelry and more, the aura of a celebration of a rich culture and history was in the air.
The event, which was organized by the Associated Student Union and the Black Student Union, was hosted by BSU Advisor Tara Lake and featured a speech by Bill Ellis of the Tuskegee Airmen, poetry and spoken word, as well as a celebration of African-American musical history.
"This was a phenomenal group effort," said ASU Advisor Dr. Sherri Rodriguez. "It was very festive … we hope to do this again."
Opening with a speech by Ellis, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, who were the first African-American military aviators and piloted planes during World War II, was a stark reminder of the importance of black people in America's history.
At a time when military policies included the belief that black people couldn't learn to fly planes, Ellis and his fellow pilots took to the skies for America and became famous for never losing a bomber to enemy fire.
Following the speech was a presentation of poetry and spoken word, as well as a moving performance of The Black National Anthem by Valley Student Jamaceo Black. With the backdrop of the struggles black people have overcome laid out, the mood was set for the musical celebration to begin.
"We're here to celebrate the culture of African-American heritage, but not all of it, because there is so much," Lake told the crowd.
The celebration continued with historical introductions to the various genres of black music, from gospel and jazz to hip-hop and traditional African dance, highlighted by an extremely energetic dance and drum set by Aziz Faye and the Khaley Nguewel dance troupe.
