On Monday they filled the Student Union, chanting, "U-N-I-T-Y," "P-O-W-E-R" and "P-R-I-D-E." They marched from the Union to Capen Hall and back to spend the rest of the day with performances by the gospel choir, the step troupe and a series of other activities that started Black Solidarity Week with a passionate show of student voice.
"It was one of the largest turnouts in the past three years," said Tricia Grannum, Black Student Union president and a senior communication major. "A lot of people celebrated by wearing black clothing and black ribbons with green and orange beads on them. It was a very, very good day."
Black Solidarity Week comes to a close Friday at 7 p.m. in the Wilkeson Coffee House with Harlem Night, the last in a week of events that included meetings, speakers, and a seminar Wednesday titled "Modern Slavery."
The celebration to bring together and support African-American students began Monday morning with LaToya Nettles singing the black anthem and continued with the long line of marchers that chanted words of unity. The celebration continued when Grannum welcomed everybody with a poem by Maya Angelou called, "Still I Rise." Performances by various campus groups followed.
"The unification expressed by the individuals involved was inspiring," said John Schulz, a senior sociology major. "It was nice to see strong bonds among such a long-oppressed people."
"Black Solidarity Week is a week of unity and togetherness for every man, woman, child and person of color," Grannum said. "It's a week where we can unite. It's a week where we can reflect on the past, present and future."
Black Student Union officially became an organization in 1968 and was the first club of color to connect the black university community. It is "designed to raise the consciousness of blacks at UB and provide them with some identity and common bonds," according to event organizers.
Like many other organizations, BSU strives to be involved and provide services to help those in the community, and Black Solidarity Week is a part of that effort.
Durval Morgan, publicity coordinator of BSU and a senior exercise science major, said this year's Black Solidarity Week was the best one in years.
"I feel that people understand that in order for us to go ahead we must be together," Morgan said.
As a whole, students said the entire week is an important educational opportunity for students and the Buffalo community.
"I went to the Black Solidarity Week and thought it was very inspiring, not only to college students but also to the entire black community," said Kwasi Boateng, a senior biochemical pharmacology major. "I think it is an event that must be attended because it is very educational."
Grannum said Harlem Night would be a night of talent where youth can come and portray the gifts they were given in song, dance, and poetry.
"It's a night we can pay tribute and homage to those who came before us who paved the way so we can be the entertainers, musicians, poets and artists we are today," she said.
Said Durval, "When we are together, our voices are even louder."
