Soul Revue 2022

Soul Revue’ 22 was a solution to We began thinking about ways we what Caroline and I perceived as could combat this when marketa disconnection within the Black ing Soul Revue ‘22. We had a very Community between groups, years,specific vision for the social media and statuses after our return to material so we looked to none campus. It was a passion proj- other than campus creative & deect born from a shared vision for signer, Miguel Gomez to bring our creative direction and a calling to ideas to life for instagram flyers unify the community with quality life for instagram flyers. entertainment and production. As Public Health students, we truly Inspired by the authenticity and had very little technical experi- beauty of the Black GW archival ence directing the many di erent images, collected and curated by roles that are needed for staging GW Alumna Shealyn Fraser, we put an event of this magnitude– from together the first annual Black GW videographers to editors to tal- Photoshoot Day. ent recruitment and everything The photoshoot day was creativein between– but we followed our ly directed and photographed intuition every step of the way. by Ralph Paul, a Junior at GW, and took place FebruaryWe were constantly making changes, tweaks, and edits where we 13, 2022 in the Corcoran School of saw a need or when an element the Arts & Design. This event was didn’t convey the message we meant to act as a conceptual preenvisioned. “I think my favorite par lude to the t “new” Soul Revue. of the show was having full cre- The night before show day, Februative control to create something ary 18, Caroline and I found ourauthentic and unique and to not selves in the basement of District only do that, but to do that with editing together the Black GW docmy best friend; that’s very special,” umentary and curating all the final Caroline said. “Just being able to details for the show until 6 am. We support each other and nurture got a couple hours of sleep before each other’s ideas created a lot of the final fashion show rehearsal at harmony that could be seen in the 10 am and the rest of the day was final product. We’re both individu- consumed by tweaks, edits, final contactsals who have our own unique touch , and final downloads. “On and our own unique flair and the the show day, I felt a lot of pride in respect we have for each other all the hard work we put into the made the actual creative process show and just knowing by the end easy. It was dope being able to just of the night we’d be presenting all flow through ideas.” that we did— I also felt a balance The show format was finalized just of relief, wanting to just let things two weeks before, which allowed happen, and at the same time a litus to keep all of the details a sur- tle bit of angst knowing that people prise until the day of Soul Revue were going to see such a vulner‘22, “No one knew exactly what able creation,” Caroline said. “We the show would be and that was also had our families there and an intentional part of the appeal to wanted them to feel proud too.” attend,” Telease said. On show day, the first annual Black The original vision, coupled with a Business Exhibition, led by NCNW lack of funding and COVID restric- executive board member Mya Burtions, led us to create a new expe- rell, was held an hour before the rience with the program and leave show to feature and support some behind the traditional format. The of our own students and other purpose of this change in direc- DMV businesses. tion was to evoke thought, inspire, At 7 pm, the show would finally unite, and entertain. So, the title begin; students COVID clearwas born: Redefining Soul Revue: ance was checked and they were Reclaiming, recreating, & remixing. ushered into the location. ThankAfter our return to campus, event fully, every seat of the Jack Morton attendance for organization events Auditorium was full. We filed on to had been a real challenge despite the stage to open the production vigorous marketing e orts so with an address urging for unity, naturally. togetherness, & never losing sight of who we are as a people and as individuals. The show’s sequence was mostly digital and in three parts. Part I Faces: A Black GW Documentary including student and faculty interviews and detailing how the theme BEEN Black tied into each of their personal stories. Prominent Black GW student leaders, professors, GWPD Chief James Tate, and more faculty joined us for these pre-filmed interviews. Then, Part II entitled “Let’s Take Flight” was The BEEN Fly Fashion Show. Fifteen models graced the stage for an in person fashion show creative directed by Mouna Loueke & Caroline Phillips. The clothing aesthetics and songs chosen were nostalgic and bold to compliment the BEEN Fly handle. Lastly, Part III was a Black GW Cribs Segment, inspired by the familiar Soul Revue format and modeled after the infamous MTV cribs show from the early 2000s. The editing and e ects were done entirely by movie producer Miles Davis. In this segment, we were able to feature Black GW landmarks like the Black house & the NPHC House, confessionals, and student dorm rooms which were not able to air on the show day. The show closed with a short video anthology arranged by Ralph with images from the Photoshoot Day and more community images atop an audio sample from music producer, Alfred Taylor. “I’m honestly just really grateful to have this experience and opportunity to direct the show for all those people that came, to actually see people in the audience, especially our families, was really special,” Caroline said. We are grateful to have had BHC leadership which allowed the level of creative freedom we were given. We hope that people left the show feeling inspired, empowered, and free.