Trinity’s Black Student Union (BSU), in collaboration with Trinity Diversity Connection (TDC), hosted the third Black Essence Festival on Prassel Lawn this past weekend. They introduced informational tables, while also maintaining the festivities held in the past two years, inviting the whole community to participate.
On Feb. 23, the Black Essence Festival moved from its original location on the Coates Esplanade. People came together with informational tables and stands to play games, eat food, dance and learn about Black history and culture.
BSU and TDC aimed to attract a wide audience. April Himes, senior urban studies major and vice president of BSU, emphasized that the idea for the festival was a celebration of culture, open to not only the Trinity community, but the San Antonio community as well.
“We want everyone from Trinity to come in, to learn about our culture, to engage in our culture with us and to appreciate it, which is kind of how Black Essence Festival was born in the first place,” Himes said.
Multiple educational tables were spread across the lawn, covering topics such as Black icons, historical figures, beauty and culture. Levolea “Lele” Wallace, junior sociology major, is the junior class representative for BSU. Wallace cited learning and relaxation as being the main goals for this year’s event.
“It’s important to remember that it’s [an] educational experience. … Because of that, we should always remember to be respectful and open to learning new things. And it’s open for everybody,” Wallace said. “We encourage diversity. We really, really do encourage diversity. And I feel like that’s kind of something that, for a lot of cultural organizations on campus, it’s kind of hard to determine, I guess, for some people if they can participate in certain things, but this is 100% participation for everybody.”
Dancing has remained consistent in the festival, but rather than having live music like last year, Azariah Anderson, junior English major, DJed for the event. Anderson noted that he wants to bridge connections through the music he plays, focusing on underrepresented music on campus.
“I really want to privilege some of the black voices that you may not hear on a PWI campus. Like, I’m going to be playing some old rap. I’m gonna be playing some 90s rap. … Just being able to incorporate those voices is important for me,” Anderson said.
TDC split some of the costs with BSU, whose festival funding came from the 1869 Challenge and bake sale fundraisers done this semester and last. BSU members also raised funds by selling items in Coates Student Center for their Valentine’s Day Fundraiser on Feb. 12.
Food was catered by Urban Smoke and Mama Loves. Prizes were provided by local black-owned business Caramel Salt Company. Supplies for games came from the student involvement office. The Black Essence Festival attracted people from all over the community, all with the intention of educating and celebrating.
