“Lift every voice and sing, til Earth and Heaven ring,” echoed through the Union Ballroom as around a hundred beautiful people of all parts of the African diaspora sang the Black National Anthem. Greeted warmly by the Black Student Union’s current president, Tanasia Shaw, we were welcomed to the very first Ebony Gala that has ever been on the campus of the predominately white institution of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Throughout the night, we shared laughs, accomplishments and conversations about what blackness and black history is. The lineup of live performances were very diverse. They had rappers, singers, musicians, you name it. Justus was the first performer of the night, followed by Xarion. Xarion surprised me because live performances are scary and nerve-wracking… but she killed it. She sang so beautifully and lightheartedly, the audience hung onto every-single-note. And boy did she have a vibrato… shesh. Did I mention she also was playing a guitar? Mhm, mh, mh. Next, we had a surprise performance by Cam Will. I know y’all remember him. He performed his single “Down” and of course, I got super excited because I’m like aye, I know this dude. I’m familiar with his music so that was a cool moment for me to see him doing his thing knowing the scrutiny he’s faced in the past. Refer to the write-up about him if you want to know more. Shout out to all the performers including Afrika, Lonnie, Scotty and Manny who held down the rest of the Gala. To be in an audience where black performers were being respected and encouraged to express their talents was humbling, to say the least. I say that because whether the performances were good or bad, they had the courage to share that moment with us at a Gala that is glorifying all things Black.
The first speaker of the night was one of UWM’s very own Black faculty members and Black student advisor, Ms. Victoria Pryor. Victoria shared with us the importance of Black resilience on the campus of UWM, where the Black population is represented by less than 8% in a city that is almost 40% Black. She went on to honor the Black Cultural Center’s staff and also the former Black Student Union presidents, which included myself. The keynote speaker for this event was no one other than the first Black Lieutenant Governor in Wisconsin, Mandela Barnes. In his inspiring speech, he talked about the importance of Black history in Milwaukee. Next, Dr. Biko Baker spoke about the importance of family and staying humble throughout your journey of success. And lastly, Jacarrie Carr spoke about his non-profit organization, Jacarrie Kicks for Kids. He also stressed an important fact about distancing yourself from people who aren’t on the same path as you. Choose your friends wisely. Everyone can not come with you.
As the night of ball gowns, heels and ties came to an end, the feeling of comfort and progressiveness did not. Surveying a room of collegiate black bodies engaging in a space where we once were not allowed gave me butterflies. BSU President, Tanasia Shaw, and the Vice president, Coretta Dishmon, wished us well for the evening before adjourning the elegant Ebony Gala. With kind words and thoughts, we were dismissed.
A room full of love and Black excellence… What a way to bring Black History month to an end.
“Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on 'til victory is won.”
