 "Photo: Taner Pasamehmetoglu")
The U’s Black Student Union hosted a gala to celebrate African culture and raise money for the victims in Haiti.
Using the Officer’s Club building, BSU organized a night of dancing, drumming, African fashion and cuisine Saturday night. The event cost $25 a person and $10 for U students. All proceeds are being sent to Haiti relief efforts.
“We plan on sending our money through (International Aid Serving Kids),” said Jenay Christy, BSU events coordinator. BSU will not take the money it cost to put the gala together out of the money being sent to Haiti, she said.
The money will help with medical supplies and hygienic products, said Stessie Dort, a BSU member and junior in exercise physiology.
The gala quickly jumped into the fashion show, put on by “Mama Africa.” Participants strutted around the room, showing off African-style clothing. As the fashion show progressed, the models became more enthused and began dancing their way down the “catwalk.”
After the fashion show came the dinner of African cuisine.
As people were finishing eating, the first drum presentation was set up. The West African Dancers & Drummers Community Class of Salt Lake City performed in African dress.
After the drum presentation, an award was handed out to two U athletes. The “Spirit of Excellence: Strength through Adversity” award was given to Jay Watkins, a basketball player and junior in commuter and community studies, and Antoine “Shaky” Smithson, a football player and junior in sociology.
“It feels special to be honored for something like this,” Watkins said. “I feel good—everything I’m doing in school and basketball is dedicated to my step-dad, who recently passed away. I know he would be proud.”
Smithson and Watkins received the award for all they have been through and all they stand for, Daniels said.
Following the awards came more excitement: the Voice of Africa. The African band, with members born and raised in different parts of Africa, had the crowd’s interest from the get-go.
“We do this to propagate African culture in Utah,” said John Bizimana, BYU senior in economics and a member of VOACA.
The gala served as a chance to understand the African culture and meet new people, said Yu Takei, a senior in gender studies and music.
“I wanted to help Haitian people also,” Takei said.
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