More than 50 students strutted down the catwalk in honor of cultural awareness at the ninth annual Black Heritage Fashion Show on Sunday.
The EMU Ballroom doors opened for the University’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Chapter at 6:08 p.m. in honor of its founding in 1908, committed to uplifting the black community.
While the joint chapter, shared by the University and Oregon State University, consists of only 10 members, a crowd of more than 200 turned out for the evening of celebration, many from other greek organizations.
“We wanted to do something different this year, bringing together students from both (UO and OSU) campuses,” Alpha Kappa Alpha member Kim Jabbie said. Sorority affiliates sought to depict the culture not only with wardrobe, but through drama, song and dance as well, she said.
Based on its theme “Through the Years,” the show featured stages in life paralleling the eras in time. Flags of Sierra Leone, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia were raised as participants explained the significance of each flag’s coloring. Following a united dance down the stage, the group glanced back at how people of those nations have progressed.
“Our chapter has five targets, and we wanted to incorporate our target of art and culture with this event,” University Alpha Kappa Alpha President Bola Majekobaje said.
Dancers looked “Back in the Day” at their steps of yesteryear, showing the audience the decade-to-decade shift from the 1960s through the 1990s. The crowd was then entertained by members of local fraternities and sororities competing in step shows to see who the best dancers were and to showcase moves.
The look back in time also highlighted the progression of church and worship, and featured black athletes as well.
“We need to know where we came from to know where we’re going,” speaker Cordella Green explained.
On the fashion scene, models sported outfits for the dance floor, the church hall and the bedroom. Their clothes were supplied by local retailers and models’ closets, according to Majekobaje. Wedding ceremonies culminated the show, with students from all involved groups gracing the stage in formal wear.
“It’s a great feeling of unity being here,” sophomore Nathan Jackson said. “It’s not too often minorities — especially from other schools — can get together.”