Glamour, history and culture will come together in the EMU Ballroom on Sunday at the 10th annual Black Heritage Fashion Show, held in honor of Black History Month. The show, presented by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, begins at 3:08 p.m., commemorating the Jan. 15, 1908, founding of the sorority. Titled “A Portrait Through Time,” it will recognize black culture through fashion, dance and music presentations.
University of Oregon and Oregon State University AKA members have been planning the event since fall term, working with almost 40 volunteer models and members from three greek chapters.
“It gives an opportunity for historically African American greek organizations to come together,” Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member and senior Dominique Beaumonte said. “That’s really exciting.”
Beaumonte, who will be modeling, said models from both colleges have been preparing for the show for the past five weeks.
Eugene retailers Deb, West Moon, The Bon Marché, Mariposa and Copeland’s Sports have donated a range of styles from sports to business attire.
“Our models add a flair to (the show) that is unexpected and that is always a treat,” senior and AKA President Nicole Johnson said.
The show will begin with junior Olivia Callier singing the black national anthem. Models will then exhibit a traditional African wedding and explore ways in which African culture has influenced music and styles, such as salsa, Cotton Club and Mardi Gras, in separate scenes.
“We are elaborating on the education of African American culture that isn’t in traditional history books,” senior and AKA member Rashree Parsad said.
Johnson said the AKA, Beta Phi Beta and Kappa Alpha Phi sororities, with representation from the APA fraternity, will also do separate performances of traditional African stepping, a fast-paced performance involving stomping and clapping. Other entertainment includes an interpretive dance with a gospel theme performed by a group of University students.
The show will also include tributes to influential black musicians and athletes and a historical dedication to the 1948 Portland Vanport District flood victims.
“It will be a time to reflect and celebrate these people,” senior and AKA member Bola Majekobaje said.
Senior Kawezya Hutchinson has similar sentiments.
“It’s not just a fun event and not just a fashion show,” she said. “It is also about black history.”
The show will last about one and a half hours, enabling participants and audience members to listen to Maya Angelou, an honorary member of AKA, at 7:30 p.m. at McArthur Court.
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