Last Thursday, September 8, organizers from the UW Multicultural Affairs Department held the Welcome Black Event; an event welcome to all but catered specifically to black students.
DJ Kay Rich, who flew in from Fresno, California, provided live music.
“Bri reached out to me and said there’s going to be the welcome black event and this was the first time ever doing this event, right here in Wyoming,” Rich said.
“I hope that students are able to walk away saying that they had fun and could be themselves and hopefully inspiring them to continue to be themselves and pursue whatever types of dreams and aspirations they may have.” Rich said.
Games, informational booths, food, and mocktails for students were also offered. Around 200 people attended.
“There really isn’t a chance for us to all come together and really be in the same space and at the same time, intentionally,” Brianna White said, the Senior Program Advisor for black students at Multicultural Affairs.
“This event, Welcome Black, is already so powerful because it’s the first one celebrating black students. It’s bringing them all together from their different backgrounds and being in an inclusive atmosphere.” White said.
Many students voiced their opinions on how this was the first time they, as students of color, experienced a unique and welcoming event catered to them.
“I met Brianna this morning and she invited me here to attend and I wanted to check it out,” Tanya Brown, a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision, said. “I’ve been here for two years- going on three, and I’ve never seen so many black students here before.”
“I like the meaning of this event, as Bri said, it’s never been done before.” Adriano Lamonaco, a freshman majoring in Sociology said, “I really feel represented being here.”
“I think it’s the first event to celebrate black students and I just hope that this continues, and just a great opportunity.” Camille Foster said, a senior majoring in General Studies who came to the event.
“I wanted to see what it was about. Free food and music,” Patrice Parkinson said, a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision, “I did not know that there were that many people of color here. It’s amazing.”
