Celebrating Black History Month with BCA
By Madeline Travell // Organizations Editor
Black Cultural Awareness club (BCA) is a place where African Americans on High Point University’s campus can come together to educate and promote black heritage and culture across campus. With about 20 members, their intention is to include those who are diverse and share their culture with the student body and surrounding community. This group holds different events throughout the year to achieve their purpose.
Since February is Black History Month, BCA had a series of events on campus to celebrate. They hosted a Jeopardy Night and also an Art and Dialogue event in the Sechrest Art Gallery. The exhibition is on Racial Tensions in America. It will be open through the beginning of March. This exhibit served as a catalyst for social change through art within communities.
On Feb. 27 BCA will hold a decades party in Greek Village Conference Center Ballroom from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
There will also be a poetry slam performance by the Black Box Project from University of North Carolina Greensboro. Their performance will center around the black experience which will give perspective of different sides and different artist’s views.
In addition, there will also be a dance performance by Otesha cultural dance ensemble from Winston-Salem featuring African dance and drum. HPU’s Genesis Gospel Choir will also hold a performance for the program.
“We are intertwining the different aspects of the African American culture as in dance, spoken word and music which are things that are very strong in our heritage,” said Danielle Criss, co-president of BCA. “Another aspect is connecting with the chapel because the church is such a prominent influencer on shaping our history. In turn we can use this meeting as a way to share what is important to us with the audience.”
Another promotional event BCA will sponsor in conjunction with Student Activities and the Diversity Club are Monday Night Movies in the Extraordinaire Cinema with showings at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. They have previously shown Straight Outta Compton, Crash and The Best Man. On Feb. 29 the movie selection will be Chi-Raq.
“These events are a great way to combine an activity that explains and discusses African American heritage in a fun way,” said Criss.
The club tries to broach a subject where most people are uncomfortable speaking about or voicing their opinions of. Their aim is to ease everyone into a conversation about who they are and what they are about and not exclude anyone.
“I hope to leave legacies and give leadership to successors who will continue to promote the initiatives and values of the club,” said Criss.
Stay up to date with all the events BCA is involved with on campus by checking out their Facebook page at: facebook.com/hpubca.