The Coalition of Black Students transformed the Parents Hall of Olmsted Center into a space nothing short of elegant. For the annual Black on Black event on Feb. 24, the Met Gala-themed evening represented the pride and joy of Black excellence in Drake University’s student community.
Regality was the motto of the highly decorated event. Guests could walk the mini red carpet or wear free opera gloves. The lights were set low, and the projector screen in the front of the room read “Awards Ceremony.” Tickets to the event were sold out by the time doors opened at 5:30 p.m.. CBS Secretary Victoria Simpeh sang the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” to formally start the event.
This is President Natasia Johnson’s third year of involvement in CBS and second year helping to organize Black on Black.
“Black on Black is important to have in this day and age because it celebrates Black culture,” Natasia Johnson said. “We always have a theme revolving around Black culture, highlighting Black people within our community, Black students, Black faculty and Black staff, and that recognition is very meaningful.”
Johnson said a variety of entertainers and services were hired for the event: a videographer, photographer, standard and 360-degree photo booths, Caricatures by Steph, and the Des Moines-based musician DJ Big Energy. Saxophonist Kyle Gowin of the Diamond Empire Band played during dinner, and the full band joined after to play R&B and soul music.
Lady Jerk Soul Food and Catering prepared and served the event’s dinner, and Molly’s Cupcakes catered dessert.
CBS recognizes six initiatives carried out for the development and enrichment of members’ lives: health and wellness, service, informative, academic, community, and career development. A presentation showcased pictures and videos of the various events CBS held related to these initiative areas.
CBS bestowed several awards honoring participation and positive contribution to CBS and the wider Drake community. Alongside recognizing students, the awards also honored advisors and student organizations. The Catherine Gayle Williams Educational Award, named after a Drake alumna, was granted to Drake’s Association of Latino Professionals for America.
Najmo Abdirahman earned the award for Most Involved Second-Year. She said her attendance at CBS events was initially low, so she was surprised to win the award.
“I had been showing up to all [CBS] events [viewing them as] a group of people that were really sweet and welcoming, and so I just decided to keep on showing up to their events,” Abdirahman said. “It was just a really welcoming space which made me want to show up more.”
Iowa House Representative Rob Johnson delivered the keynote speech for the evening. A Drake alumnus himself, Johnson spoke on his experience in the professional world and the importance of pride for the Black community.
“Far too often when we hear Black excellence, we picture the highlight reels, the red carpet … But tonight, I want to tell the truth,” Rob Johnson said. “Black excellence is not just what shines under the lights, Black excellence is what survives in the dark … I understood that in this room, we come from people who refused to be silent. That, ladies and gentlemen, is Black excellence.”
