Black and Latino Alumni Weekend (BLAW) brings together current students, alumni, faculty and staff for a weekend filled with events. However, it also brings together the various cultural Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) that work together to plan each event that takes place.
The theme of BLAW 2013 was “Celebrating 40 Years of Culture and Diversity,” as this year marks the Black Student Union’s (BSU) 40th year of existence at the University of New Haven. One of BSU’s largest events, as well as one of the largest events of the weekend, is the Sankofa Ball.
The 2013 Sankofa Ball took place on Saturday, April 6, in the Charger Gym located at North Campus. The gym was transformed into a ballroom fit for an event such as this, with photography service and very fine food options. Attendees began to arrive around 7 p.m. and the festivities kicked off at 8 p.m. with an introduction by Black and Latino Alumni Weekend Director and BSU President Cora St. Marie. This was followed by the invocation given by a guest minister and a few words from Dean of Students Rebecca Johnson.
After a performance of “Summertime” by junior Tyler Dillard, the main content of the Sankofa Ball began with each of the co-sponsoring RSOs giving an overview of their organization’s accomplishments throughout the 2012-2013 academic year. The Caribbean Student Association (CSA)’s President Cristi Benn began, followed by Latin America Student Association (LASA) President Ashley Vargas, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) UNH Chapter President Arnold Lane Jr., Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (OPB) President Yesenia Llanos, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha Sorority, Inc, (SIA) President Cicely Cruz and lastly Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. (LAU) President Brayan Rivas.
St. Marie took the stage again afterward to highlight BSU’s recent accomplishments as well as the 40-year history of the organization, whose motto is “Looking back at our past in order to shape our future.” A few words were given regarding the Sankofa scholarship that the ball raising money for, which had started as a one-time $60 award and had worked its way nearly towards the point of becoming endowed. Another musical selection, this time “When I First Saw You” performed by Kyle Alston and Devena Smith, was followed by special recognition awards presented by each of the sponsoring RSOs. Each of them had awards ranging from Member of the Year and E-Board Member of the year to awards for the advisors and alumni of the organizations.
W.R.I.T.E. Poetry Club President Crystal Robinson gave the audience a poetry reading, and each sponsoring RSO took the stage once more to present their 2013-2014 E-Board. After closing remarks, the music had started up once more and everyone had the opportunity to dance the night away.
The Sankofa Ball, as well as the entirety of Black and Latino Alumni Weekend, was a big success with events that drew in hundreds of people. Many dedicated RSOs worked together to make the events possible, as well as contribute to the overall culture and diversity on campus.
