February marks Black History Month, an annual observance that recognizes and commemorates the history of Black Americans, Canadians, and citizens across the world. Originally proposed by Carter G. Woodson as a single week of recognition, the members of the Black United Students at Kent State University would later come to pioneer the event as an entire month worthy of commemoration. And here, only 55 years later, its imprint has been left on the world and officially recognized by federal governments and student unions alike, including those at UFV.
On Feb. 16, UFV’s Afro Caribbean Society (ACS) held its first student-led function in celebration of Black History Month, The Black Renaissance. The event facilitated a number of activities, from board games and Kahoot quizzes, to raffle prizes, karaoke, and finally a dance floor manned by DJ’s playing afrobeats. Amazing food was also provided; everyone was well-fed with plantain, meat pie, jerk chicken and more. It was an excellent celebration, and couldn’t have been done without its hardworking ACS executives and all those involved.
When asked how it felt to have events like this for Black students on campus, Taylor McElroy, a second year student at UFV, said: “I think it’s really good, especially because when you come as an international student, you don’t really meet a lot of people who might be Black or Caribbean. So I feel like it’s really good to have that space to meet other people who are like you, so you don’t feel isolated, especially if you’re in a new country.”
When McElroy discovered there was an event for Black students on campus, she was amazed. “I was so excited. I think my friends sent me [the invitation], and they were like, ‘You have to come! It’s going to be so fun!’ I was so excited, because I wanted to meet more people from the Caribbean as well, and just see other cultures that are similar to mine.” The food at the event was an especially strong reminder of life before UFV. “I felt like I was back home, even if it was just for a little while — and the music, and the people — it felt great.”
Two ACS executives, Florida Tesfay and Claudia Hanna, also felt great about bringing everyone together.
“This club is more about having community — getting to know each other,” said Tesfay. “We wanted to start creating a family. It’s not just a club like any other club, it’s more like a family, and we are coming together to embrace our beautiful culture.”
“The fact that everybody is here,” Tesfay continued, “makes us feel like all the hard work paid off. Just getting everybody together and communicating well and engaging with everybody; it just brings an amazing feeling.”
“Even if people are able to be here for 20 minutes, that was a really good feeling,” said Hanna, who hopes to build a society that can be passed down to future generations of students. “Next year for Black History Month, we’re bigger and better.”
Any students interested in finding out more about UFV’s Afro Caribbean Society can check them out on Instagram and Linktree.
