Nubian Message, April 4, 2022 — BlackXperience

NUBIANMESSAGE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC | THENUBIANMESSAGE.COM | Thursday, April 14, 2022

blackxperience

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 2

Letter from the editor

Tim Havens Correspondant

Hey y’all, If you didn’t go to Pan-Afrikan Week last week….. Idek what to tell you fr.

Anyways, this issue is our annual PanAf issue! The week was filled with bangers, honestly, just what the Black community here needed.

Here’s to a FULL COLOR, SIXTEEN-PAGE ISSUE! With this being our last issue, might as well go out with a bang.

On pages 4 & 5, we give you a recap of the African American Textile Societies Annual Fashion Exposé and the importance of reclaiming your roots as a Black individual.

Next, we dive into our first (of two ;)) Pan-Af gallery. This gallery specifically highlights the beautiful photos from the Stroll-Off.

THISISSUE 4

FASHION EXPOSÉ

6

PHOTO GALLERY

8

EDITORIAL

13

BRUNCH

15

INCLUSIVITY

African American Textile Society Fashion Show Pictures from the Stroll-off Favorite events from Pan-Af week The shades of melanin brunch hosted on Sunday A zumba event for all Cover Photo By Emily peedin

Members of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. stroll at the Pan-Afrikan stroll-off on Friday, April 8th,2022 inside Talley Student Union.

We feature a staff editorial about our favorite Pan-Af Week events with a full itinerary in case you missed it. We also have our regular media page with a Pan-Af-inspired playlist.

With my birthday coming up (April 21), this week’s poem by me talks about turning 22!

The Sentinel of the African-American Community at N.C. State Since 1992.

314 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695

Then we have our second gallery which features multiple Pan-Af Week events such as the comedy show, fashion expose, and so much more.

office 919-515-1468 advertising 919-515-2411 online thenubianmessage.com

We keep the ball rolling with more Pan-Af articles on pages 12-15. We cover everything from Affinity Hours to the larger evening events.

Make sure you follow us on social media @nubianmessage!

Elikem Dodor (She/Her)

Crying all the way to May 7,

nubian-editor@ncsu.edu

(¬_¬)

Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe (She/Her)

Elikem

nubian-managingeditor@ncsu.edu

Editor-in-Chief

Managing editor

Arana Blake (She/They) Milan Hall (She/ Her) Layout designers

Only with the permission of our elders do we proudly produce each edition of Nubian Message: Dr. Yosef Ben-Yochannan, Dr. John Henrik Clark, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, The Black Panther Party, Mumia A. Jamal, Geronimo Pratt, Tony Williamson, Dr. Lawrence Clark, Dr. Augustus McIver Witherspoon, Dr. Wandra P. Hill, Mr. Kyran Anderson, Dr. Lathan Turner, Dr. M. Iyailu Moses, Dokta Toni Thorpe and all those who accompany us as we are still on the journey to true consciousness.

Feature

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 3

Pan-Af Tradition Returns: NPHC Stroll-off On Friday, April Ugonna 8, 2022, during NC Ezuma-Igwe State’s 50th PanManaging Editor African anniversary,

the National Pan-Hellenic Council hosted its annual Stroll-off. Stroll-offs are a longhonored tradition that allows the Black sororities and fraternities on campus to compete while displaying and uplifting the individuality of their organization.

This year it was hosted in the State ballroom in Talley Student Union. Five of the NCSU’s NPHC organizations performed: the Mu Xi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Xi Zeta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the Kappa Omega Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. The show started off with a roll call of all of the Divine Nine organizations present being given the opportunity to announce their presence by strolling to “Knuck if you Buck” by Crime Mob. Then the judges of the competition were announced. The judges were Alexius Pearson, Kayla Baker, Ashley Gaie, Bradley Davis, and Jalen Baker; Pearson is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Kayla Baker is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gaie is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Davis is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Jalen Baker is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The competition consisted of three rounds with their own themes.

Round One: Decades Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - 1970s EtaOVision, inspired by the tv show “WandaVision” Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Weather girls of the 70s Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - 2000s Fashion Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Dance group debut performance in 1990 Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. - Land of y2k Round Two: Musical Genre Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - LatinX Music

NM: This is your last year of undergrad at state. How does it feel knowing that you’ve solidified your legacy here on campus in more ways than one?

JJ: As my college career comes to an end and I reflect on the past 4 years, I wouldn’t do anything over again. Knowing that I’ve had an everlasting impact on my chapter is something that I take great pride in and I still hope to help KO continue its legacy however I can as [an] alumni.

NM: What were you most excited about when planning for the stroll off?

Hallie Walker/ Staff Photographer Members of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. stroll after winning the fraternity category during the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.Afrobeats Music Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Caribbean Music Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Pop Music Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. - Latinx Music Round Three: Freestyle Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - 2019 film US Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Present day Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. - Old school and New school strolls Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Superstars on their international tour Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.Leannn back into your seats Between the second and third rounds, there was an intermission, during which Code Red, NCSU’s Stomp and Shake cheer team, performed. This was their debut performance.

There was a second intermission between the third round and when they announced the results. Elikem Dodor, the Special Events chair for NPHC, asked for volunteers to come on stage and participate in a dance-off. Three people came on stage and Adrian Gibbs, a third-year Science,

Technology, and Society (STS) major, won.

Afterward, the winners were announced.

The Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. won First Place Sorority and the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. won First Place Fraternity. The Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. won overall Grand Champion as they surpassed all competitors in both categories by over 50 points.

Nubian Message was able to talk to members, who performed, of both of the winning teams.

Nubian Message spoke with the current President of the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jada Jant, a fourth-year majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Women and Gender Sexuality Studies.

Nubian Message: How do you feel about your sorority not only winning 1st place sorority but also being the grand champions of the show?

Jada Jant: I am overly ecstatic about Kappa Omicron winning the sorority division AND grand champions. We worked really hard planning the show and really wanted to give it our best, so it’s great knowing all of the hard work paid off.

JJ: I was most excited about getting out there with my sisters and showcasing what we’d put together. We had a lot of fun planning this show and even more performing it!

We also spoke with Alvin Mutongi, current President of NPHC and Chaplain of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Nubian Message: How does it feel for your fraternity to have won first place?

Alvin Mutongi: It represents the culmination of months of work. The vision for the show came to us in December and I have my Stroll master and Line brother Cameron Williams to thank for directing us to execute his vision. I’m incredibly proud of everyone in the chapter and they’ve added to the legacy of the Eta Omicron brothers winning stroll-offs and step shows.

NM: What were you most excited about when planning for the stroll-off?

AM: I was excited for the audience and the NC State community to see us perform and show campus what we’ve been working on. When Black people get together there is an energy in the air that’s unmatched and seeing that in the crowd is what I was most looking forward to.

Congratulations to the winners of the NPHC Stroll Off, the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 4

Feature

Annual Fashion Exposé: Student Designers Showcase Their Work On Thursday,

Elikem Dodor April 7, the African Editor-in-Chief American Textile

Society (AATS) hosted its 24th annual Fashion Exposé in the Talley State Ballroom. This event was a part of Pan-Afrikan week and featured a hand-selected panel of highly decorated judges. The judges were Meredith Howell, a fourth-year in Fashion and Textile Management, Dr. Katherine AnnettHitchcock from Wilson College of Textiles and Nick Trombetta from Climate Action NC. These judges determined the winners for each category, ultimately selecting the grand prize winners.

The exposé was created to allow designers to gain exposure with leading industry officials in the area while competing for scholarship funding. The student members of AATS spend the months before the completely student-run competition taking care of everything from recruiting designers, securing funding, staging the show, selling tickets, and so much more. All Wilson College of Textiles students were encouraged to participate in the exposé.

Additionally, this year's exposé was open to students from North Carolina Central University (NCCU).

Jacori Crudup, a fourth-year Fashion and Textile Management student, AATS Fashion Exposé chair and Community Service Chair was able to give us insight into the behind-the-scenes work.

“Planning the event was all Deja, Tia, and I and we had help from our club advisor Jaquan. It took months. I believe we started planning [in] the end of January. I got involved because I have been in the club since I was a freshman and I was always interested in being involved in the show in some way. With the pandemic, I didn’t get to [participate in the fashion exposé] until this year.”

AATS was created to provide support for and serve as a network for the African American population in the College of Textiles. Though AATS was originally founded to support African American Students, all students are welcome to join.

The fashion exposé was structured into two rounds, a novice/beginner round and an intermediate/beyond round. The Novice Round was for more inexperienced designers and the Intermediate Round was

Ray Black III/ Pro Photographer A model shows off the collection of designers Destiny Hill and Sydni Mottley during the 24th Annual Fashion Exposé hosted by the African American Textile Society as part of Pan-Afrikan Week, in Talley Student Union on Thursday, Apr. 7, 2022.

Each designer was able to walk with their for more advanced designers. models and show off the designs they had The event began with a pre-show by created for themselves. The designers were Climate Action, a project of the League of also tasked with finding their own models Conservation Voters that uses grassroots and giving them direction on how they organizing to turn the environmental wanted their work to be showcased. values into priorities for the state of North After a short intermission, they moved Carolina. The pre-show featured several into the Intermediate Category. sustainable designs created by utilizing The designers featured in the recycled materials.

Intermediate Category were Natalia After the pre-show, the host moved Barnack, Savannah Cummings, Destiny into the Novice Category. The designers Hill, and Sydni Mottley. Destiny Hill and featured in the Novice Category were Sydni Mottley were both from NCCU and Isabella Fordin, Jada Williams, and Lilly created their designs together.

Barozzini. Before each designer’s work was Natalia Barnack featured eight models, showcased, they allowed the designers to all wearing various shades of red and black. discuss the inspirations for their designs.

Their inspirations were pulled from various Her work featured wide sleeves with sheer material. places in their lives as well as from their Savannah Cummings featured four loved ones. models, all wearing bright, light, springIsabella Fordin’s designs featured three colored dresses. models, all dressed in a silky, flowy Lastly, Sydni Mottley and Destiny material.

Hill featured six models, all dressed in Jada Williams's designs featured four bright colors with several animal prints models, all dressed in varying materials. highlighted.

Williams’ designs featured unique cutouts After the Intermediate Category, there in various shapes such as hearts and circles. was a brief break for the judges to discuss Lilly Barozzini’s designs featured four and ultimately select a winner from each models, all dressed in various earth-tone category. shades. Each model featured an earthyLilly Barozzini won in the Novice looking accessory of some kind such as a Category and Sydni Mottley and Destiny purse or headband.

Hill were selected as the winners for the Intermediate Category.

Kayla Hyman, a third-year Psychology student, enjoyed the various designs that the exposé had to offer. “I liked that there was a lot of diversity within the pieces. No two pieces were alike, so there was always this brief moment of curiosity for me before someone stepped out onto the stage.”

Hyman really enjoyed Mottley and Hill’s work, “My favorite designers were the two girls from Central. I loved how vibrant their color choices were, which made their pieces stand out to me. For almost all of their designs, I found myself wanting to be the model so that I could wear their work!”

Crudup also enjoyed the event and the community being able to see the hard work that was put in. “I was most excited about seeing what the designers created because we didn’t see any of the looks until the day of the show. I hoped people would leave having a great time and enjoying everyone’s hard work. I also wanted people to possibly be inspired and try be in the show the following year if they’re interested because you don’t have to be a textiles student to be a part of the show. “ People had various reasons for wanting to attend the exposé, some people were leaders in the fashion industry while some were there as NC State students looking to support the community.

Hyman attended the event to support her line sister, Jacori Crudup, who was one of the event planners. “I went first and foremost to support my line sister, Jacori, who helped make the event possible. I know she put a lot of hard work and effort in, so even though her work wasn’t on the stage, I knew I had to have a seat in the audience to cheer her on. I also went because this year was my first Pan-AF experience. Even though I’m a junior, covid took a lot of my college experience away.

Now that the world is getting back to a new sense of normalcy, I wanted to participate in as many events as I could.”

The AATS Fashion Exposé served as a unique opportunity for student designers to showcase their work to a wider audience.

Being attached to Pan-Afrikan Week adds to the overall legacy of the event, drawing from multiple histories to highlight Black students. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the show.

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Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 5

Reclaiming Our Roots: What’s in a name?

What’s in a family?

On April 7, 2022, the Black Students Board (BSB) hosted the PanAfrikan week event titled Reclaiming Our Roots. The event took place in the African American Cultural Center (AACC) located on the third floor of the Witherspoon Student Center. The goal of this event was to facilitate an intergenerational conversation amongst Black students and faculty regarding what it means to ‘reclaim our roots.’

The event opened with Niambé James, the African Student Union President, initiating a call and response of “ago” “ame.”

James called out "ago", which is used to call attention, and the group responded with “ame”, which is used to signify a willingness to listen. The call and response was repeated twice. Afterward, James and Max Fennel began to explain the purpose of the event. Next, the AACC Program Coordinator Isaiah Lucas used a jembé to make a beat and introduce himself. The jembé or djembe is a drum originating in Mali. Two jembés were passed around the room and participants were instructed to make a beat on the drum after stating their name, pronouns, major, and hometown.

Some decided not to make a beat. Fennel emphasized the importance of saying, “I am ‘your name’” as opposed to “My name is…” as a way of making a claim.

After the room finished with introductions, participants were instructed to line up for food. James located the company Tasty Vibes Catering Services which specializes in authentic African cuisine. There were two pans of jollof rice, one pan of chicken, one pan of dodo (fried plantain), and a pan of meat pies. While participants ate, a variety of afrobeats played in the background. For about twenty minutes, people ate and mingled with each other before Lucas initiated another call and response of “ago” “ame.”

To begin the conversation, Lucas started by outlining key terms needed for better understanding. The first was diaspora, the voluntary and involuntary movement of Africans and their descendants to various parts of the world during modern and premodern times. The next word was roots meaning the denoting or relating to Africa or any of its people, languages, nations, etc.

The next word was reclamation meaning

Jaz Bryant Correspondent

the process of claiming something back or of reasserting a right. The next was Pan Afrikanism which is the union of all the indigenous inhabitants of Africa. The final word was enslavement which is the action of making someone a slave.

After defining keywords, Dr. Kwesi Brookins, who is the Founder and Director of the Africana Studies major and minor as well as a psychology professor, said key words about the importance of reclaiming our roots. He stated that he “started Africana Studies for all the terms that were mentioned” and for “people of Black or African descent.” He went on to say that the “idea was to reclaim our roots, educate ourselves on who we are and what we are, as well as bring the Black and African experience to the school.”

Following Dr. Brookins’ speech, Fennel and James took turns asking questions to direct the conversation. Participants were prompted to speak when an answer occurred to them. Fennel pointed out that the discussion was supposed to be more like a conversation than a lecture.

The first set of questions were “what are roots?”, “What does it look like to y’all?” and “What does it mean to you?” Cody Willingham responded with: “...all the people that came before you… ancestors from 500 years ago or even just your grandparents—those still count as your roots. Those who built up to form you.”

The next response was from a secondyear student majoring in Applied Mathematics, Josh Kyei, who started the conversation by saying, “taking a step to acknowledge… sometimes people think of Africa as a country rather than a melting pot of cultures.” Next Hanna Amme, the AACC library Technician, responded “Pan Afrikanism is a political movement, it is… seeing clips of the great Black American leaders and African leaders coming together talking about desegregation and decolonization in Africa…coming together to create the third-world conference. it is a political movement of unity and how do we move forward as sovereign nations.”

The next set of questions were “What does it mean to reclaim roots?” and “Is it something that you choose?” Dr. Andaiye Qaasim, the Assistant Director with the AACC, stated that it is, “collecting family stories… sometimes we don’t even have

the names in the stories”. First-year Life Sciences student, Brion O’Neal, said, “...my skin color comes with a story and knowing what the story is and being able to correct it before someone creates a narrative of their own.” Another response came from Isaiah Lucas, the Program Director for the AACC who said, “Listening to the stories and making sure they never leave you… reclaiming my roots is having something to pass to my children and my children's children and writing things down [is a way to do this]”. Another response came from a third-year student majoring in Biological Science and minoring in Psychology, Madison Darley, who said it is “being willing to listen and learn.”

“...my skin color comes with a story and knowing what the story is and being able to correct it before someone creates a narrative of their own.”

Following the direction of the last question, Isaiah Lucas posed the question “How do y’all feel about ancestry.com/DNA tests?” A third-year student majoring in Psychology, AJ Johnson, stated, “it’s kind of like a double-edged sword because it gives you a name of where you came from but that’s about it…”. Another response came from Dr. Brookins, “the data is only as good as the data that’s in there. Your ancestor's DNA isn’t going to be there if they didn’t get a sample…it tells both the more encouraging and more connected stuff as well as the history that happened… some families don’t want to talk about the histories that aren’t so pretty, but it’s important.”

The final question was posed as a reflective point for participants to take with them after the discussion. It was “how do I reclaim my own roots?”

After the discussion component of the event was over, Adache Amaram, Eleah Dunbar, and James explained the meaning of the different beads being used to create bracelets. Amaram started by describing Nigerian beads. She said that

the significance of beads in Nigeria can be dated between 900 BCE and 2000 BCE. Kings were buried with beads to bring hope, good luck, wisdom, and wealth. She went on to explain the role they play in fashion, artistic expression, and economic status. She stated that beads are an essential part of weddings in Nigerian culture.

Dunbar then explained the meaning of Ghanaian beads. She explained that in the past beads were used as currency, coming of age rituals, and to signify the Chief.

In the present day, they are used to help with fertility, showcase purity and wealth, and in celebrations. She then explained the significance of waist beads which are traditionally worn in the Ashante and Krobo areas after girls come of age.

Lastly, James detailed the significance of beads in Sierra Leone. She stated that waist beads are worn for good luck, to ward off evil, and increase fertility. She draws a parallel to Ghanaian waist beads by stating they are used to measure weight as well.

James adds that the beads also help women take note of their posture.

After explaining the significance of the beads, participants were encouraged to create their own bracelets. Many began to mingle shortly after.

"...waist beads are worn for good luck, to ward off evil, and increase fertility.

She draws a parallel to Ghanaian waist beads by stating they are used to measure weight as well."

The Reclaiming Our Roots event allowed for an open discussion about PanAfrikanism, reclamation, and history across the Black diaspora. Additionally, it gave participants room to explore other cultures through food and shared knowledge.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 6

Feature

2022 Pan-AF week:

Emily Peedin/ Staff Photographer Ariana Frazier, a member of the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. strolls at the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union.

Emily Peedin/ Staff Photographer Robert Walker, a member of the Beta Xi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. poses at the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union.

Left: Emily Peedin/ Staff Photographer Jala Royster, a member of the Mu Xi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.,gazes at the crowd at the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union.

Emily Peedin/ Staff Photographer Adanna Aham-Iroetugo a member of the Kappa Omega Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. holds up the Greek letter Sigma with her hands at the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 7

Feature

nphc Stroll-Off

Hallie Walker /Staff Photographer Members of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. pose for photos with their trophy at the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. won in the fraternity category.

Emily Peedin/ Staff Photographer Jaylan Paige, a member of the Eta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. poses after being hoisted in the air at the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union.

Hallie Walker/ Staff Photographer Members of the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. pose for photos with their trophy at the Pan-Afrikan Stroll-Off on Friday, April 8, 2022 inside Talley Student Union. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. won in both the sorority category and overall.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 8

Opinion

What was your favorite pan-af event and why?

-the nubian message staff & crew “My favorite event was the African American Textile Society’s Fashion Exposé. This was the first time I got to attend a fashion exposé and I was honestly blown away by all of the designs. I loved how all of the designers had personal ties to their work and it really seemed like everyone was passionate about the show. The different categories and prize money brought a different feel to the event. ”

–elikem dodor, Editor-in-chief

“My favorite event was the NPHC’s Flash Mob. I got to see friends show off the uniqueness of their individual organizations. Also, it was my first time seeing an event like this on this campus. It was wonderful to see the presence of NCSU’s NPHC organization open and present on campus. It feels like it’s been so long since we’ve seen them since Covid took that opportunity away from us.”

–Ugonna ezuma-igwe, Managing Editor

“I planned Pan-Af week therefore I did not really get to enjoy Pan-Af week. My main job was ensuring that everyone else enjoyed it and I am glad that they did. Being a part of BSB has been an experience and I am ready to rest for the remainder of the semester.”

–Arana Blake, Layout Designer

“My favorite part of Pan-Af week was the brunch. I just think it was nice to be able to dress up and see familiar faces (and get free food). Some people definitely went all out on their outfits; I liked seeing people be genuinely excited to dress up. During the brunch and Pan-Af week as a whole I saw so many Black people enjoying themselves on campus which sometimes seems like a rare sight.”

–Milan Hall, layout designer

"My favorite part of Pan-Af had to be the Festival. The food was great and the overall atmosphere was welcoming and refreshing. It was nice seeing so many Black people enjoying themselves on campus.”

–Austin Modlin, staff writer

"My favorite event of Pan-Af week was the Shades of Melanin Brunch. This was my favorite event because I felt a sense of community as everyone dressed in brown, ate together, and danced. It was nice seeing Black people coming together and being joyous.”

– MyAsia Jackson, first Year political science and criminology Major

pan-afrikan week events Wednesday, April 6th

Monday, April 4th Happy Hour: Say It Loud Kickoff

Tuesday, April 5th

Happy Hour: Black Around The World

Friday, April 8th Thursday, April 7th

Happy Hour: Black Friday

Affinity Hour: Happy Hour: Happy Hour: Affinity Hour: Affinity Hour : Black Queerness Express Yo’ Self #TBT National PanMusic Fo’ Your Hellenic Council Soul Affinity Hour: Affinity Hour: National PanColors Of Reclaiming Our Black Out Loud Talley Party Hellenic Council: Roots Blackness Comedy Show Kickoff Stroll Off 24th Annual Soul and Salsa Fashion Expose Zumba

Saturday, Apriil 9th BlackXperience Festival Sunday, April 10th Shades Of Melanin Brunch

Opinion

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 9

PAn-AF Interested

playlist by Nubian Message Staff

Pan-AF week 2022 Graphic by Kyle howe

You may have had my 21 but you will not get my 22.

Agolo

Angélique Kidjo

Bisous

Didier Lacoste Temesgen Gebregziabher

Ney Jema Azúcar Negra I know I've been changed high way

LaShun Pace DJ Kaywise Ft. Phyno

WAIT A MINUTE! Hold you (hold yuh) Make Me feel All for us Mood 4 eva

Celia Cruz

Willow Gyptian Janelle Monae Labrinth Ft. Zendaya

22 is about keeping, I am no longer interested in refracting I am no longer interested in entertaining these twisted narratives I am no longer interested in payments and registrations I am no longer interested in the bruises or the headaches I am no longer interested in the restrictions and regulations I am no longer interested in the empty “lectures” and avoided questions I am no longer interested in lengthy iMessages and sporadic phone calls I am no longer interested in the things of 21 I am interested in freedom, in change Leaving behind the things I was conditioned to know And seeking the things I have always truly wanted to know I am interested in rest, in pleasure I am interested in doing nothing, saying nothing I am interested in love and solitude I am interested in all things Elikem.

I am interested in my 22.

Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Childish Gambino, Oumou Sangaré

Alright Ex Factor The other side Feeling Good

Kendrick Lamar Lauryn Hill Jasmine Sullivan Nina Simone

-Elikem

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 10

Feature

Pan-af Gallery:

Ray Black III/ Pro Photographer Stand up comic Chinedu Unaka, who is also an actor on Insecure, performs during Pan-Afrikan Week's Black Out Loud Comedy Show in Talley Student Union on Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2022.

Top Left: Ray Black III/ Pro Photographer Designer Jada Williams walks the runway to show the final piece in her collection during the 24th Annual Fashion Exposé, hosted by the African American Textile Society as part of Pan-Afrikan Week, in Talley Student Union on Thursday, Apr. 7, 2022.

Bottom Left: Jermaine Hudson/

Staff Photographer Shawn Mina, a senior studying computer science, Jordyn Howard, a freshman studying mechanical engineering, and Jalen Lucas, a freshman studying engineering, plays the different types of dunduns during the Music Fo' Your Soul event for Pan-Afrikan Week on Monday, April 4, 2022 at Talley Student Union. Students performed songs originating from Western Africa.

Jermaine Hudson/ Staff Photographer Students move to the music during the Soul and Salsa Zumba event for Pan-Afrikan Week on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Talley Student Union. Soul and Salsa was lead

by Zumba instructor Jordan Farrell.

Feature

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 11

Recap in case u missed it

Jermaine Hudson/ Staff Photographer A model showcases a collection designed by Jada Williams, a second-year in fashion and textiles management, at the 24th Annual Fashion Exposé event for PanAfrikan Week .

Contributed by the African American Cultural Center

Ray Black III/ Pro Photographer A model shows off the collection of designers Destiny Hill and Sydni Mottley during the 24th Annual Fashion Exposé, hosted by the African American Textile Society as part of Pan-Afrikan Week.

Tiffany Ard/ Staff Photographer The models showing off designer Natalia Barnack's collection do a final walk on the runway on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at the African American Textile Society's 24th Annual Fashion Exposé in Talley State Ballroom.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 12

Opinion

The Healing Power of Music As I walked into Room 3222 in Talley Student Union for the Music Fo’ Yo Soul Affinity Hour event to kick off Pan-Af Week, I was somewhat shocked to see that no music was playing. Whenever I saw Austin the title for the event, I Modlin Staff Writer automatically assumed that it would have the same vibe as a listening party. The idea I had was more along the lines of just listening to different black music genres all across the diaspora.

Instead, I saw people separated into sections and was then told that they were separating people in terms of who likes Drake, Kanye, and other popular artists.

After the ice breaker, we sat down in chairs that were enclosed into a circle where we then proceeded to introduce ourselves and our years to each other. I was still wondering what exactly we were about to do for the event and watched as two men then sat down with a bag that made noise as we finished introducing ourselves to each other.

It was at this point that we were introduced to the two instructors who were leading the event. They stated that they were African drum instructors who teach young Black boys the “healing power of the drum.” I was pleasantly surprised to find that the event was shaping up to be an interactive one. After introducing themselves they then proceeded to introduce the drums that they brought with them. The second I saw them pull the drums out my first thought was, “Ah h*ll, now they want us to use them.”

One by one they brought three drums each varying in size and shape. The first one they introduced was the Dundunba, the “mother drum” for the other two, which controls the tempo of the drums. Then they showed us the sangban, which converses with the dundunba, and has movements.

Lastly, the kinikini was shown, which was the smallest out of the three and was stated to be the metronome of the entire ensemble which is constant in the entire melody.

They also talked about how the drums in Western Africa have been used for more than just music and celebrations, but also during war. During wars, drummers would beat the dundunba to create the tempo and

Jermaine Hudson/ Staff Photographer Students play the cowbells during the Music Fo' Your Soul event for Pan-Afrikan Week on Monday, April 4, 2022 at Talley Student Union. Students performed songs originating from Western Africa.

melody for the warriors. This fascinated me as to how music was played during times of both peace and war. Finally, came the point I wasn’t looking forward to, it was time for them to pick people to play the dundunba.

Participants had the same feeling of not being all too eager to play until three people decided to play. During this time the instructors brought out another drum called the djembe and proceeded to have each of the three student participants play a certain beat. Once they learned their respective rhythms, the instructors made them play at the same time.

Honestly, the melody was pretty entertaining overall, I could hear how the sangban and dundunba were in tandem with each other, almost as if they were having a conversation solely off of rhythm.

Next, they played two more pieces and then brought out more instruments and gave each of us one to play.

While I was not too eager at first to have any hand in playing anything. I found myself enjoying how each individual played an integral part in the song, listening to how each person's part was connected to the original melody that the drums were playing. After around two songs the instructors were excited and told us that in

their 20 years of teaching and instructing people on the dundun, they never had firsttime participants have a seamless melody.

We all sat back down as the instructors proceeded to talk about the importance that music, particularly the dundun had on their life. One instructor had stated, “Whenever I went through hardships and faced challenges, I could always go back to the dundun and recenter myself mentally.”

This stuck with me because while the dunduns were never integral parts of my life, music has always been the thing that kept me going during hard times. I can say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed participating in playing music with others.

Afterward, the instructors talked about how the dundun has not only helped them grow mentally but also physically.

They stated, “Whenever you're beating the drums you need to be in some form of physical shape due to the physical demands the dundun requires.” This makes sense once you put things into perspective. The amount of physical movement that you have to do to beat the dundun at a constant speed and tempo is no small feat. Combine that with having to do it for long periods of time and there’s no surprise that there’s a

physical strain that the activity has on one’s body.

One of the instructors also talked about how after years of performing, they ended up developing arthritis in their hands due to the repetitive motions that are required.

The fact that they ended up getting muscle pains in their hands because of what they do makes me realize how much they truly love what they do. While I was hesitant at first about the event due to it not being what I expected it to be, it was still enjoyable and I learned a lot from it.

It was also relaxing, listening and being able to create something so intricate with people I didn’t even know was a very rewarding experience. With having stressors with upcoming exams, professors having an increasingly large workload, it was a great way to relax and unwind.

Being able to put those stressors and responsibilities aside and just do something that not only is representative of black culture but something that allowed me to release my worries in a way that was fun as well as engaging. I would definitely be open to seeing something like this on a larger scale in the future to include more students.

Opinion

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 13

On Sundays, we wear Shades of Melanin Jacori Crudup This year marked the 50th Pan-Afrikan Correspondent

week at NC State, and the only way to end it off was with a bang. This year’s Black Student Board (BSB) did just that. They hosted the Shades of Melanin Brunch and it was a huge success. With a great turnout, excellent decor and an exciting lineup of guest speakers and performers it was bound to be a great time.

The entire week had been filled with a total of 17 events to mark Pan-Af week and the Shades of Melanin Brunch was nothing short of phenomenal. The event started at noon and took place in the Talley State Ballroom. It began with a buffet breakfast accompanied by hot tea, coffee, and mocktails. The different flavors of mocktails seemed to be inspired by Black culture. There were two photo backdrops to be used for pictures of those dressed in shades of melanin. While people were eating there was a slideshow displaying the events that took place over the week. It was an endearing recap of the week, as well as confirmation of the great time the Black community has when we come together.

It was also a reflection of all that can be accomplished with a great committee of people dedicated to showcasing and catering to Black people on campus.

The brunch had the dress code directions in the name. (Almost) Everyone in the room followed that direction and it led to a beautiful spectrum of shades of browns and beiges. Even people’s accent colors were neutral. The cohesiveness of the event led to an aesthetically pleasing and beautiful scene. Everyone was able to put their own personal style on display which added to the representation of the range that the students here possess. The two photo backdrops complimented every shade of melanin in the room. From sneakers to heels, everyone was dressed to impress. Sundress season is definitely upon us because they were making a prominent appearance. Long figure-hugging dresses paired with heels or sandals were a great choice for the brunch. There were also a lot of silky button-down collared shirts paired with sneakers or loafers to give off a cool and light vibe during the function.

Small but bold purses and totes are in style and they were making an appearance.

Contributed by NC state's black students board

Purses and clutches in an array of blacks, browns, beiges, and tans flooded the room and were great table accessory pieces (because everyone knows not to put your purse on the floor). There were also a lot of Telfar bags in the building and they were spotted front and center in the photo areas.

In my opinion, the fried fish and the Black barbie mocktail were the best food choice and drinks of the event. Paired together, they tasted even better. BSB along with RAVE did a great job of putting the event together and preparing all of the dining options.

There was a musical performance by the Uninhibited Praise Gospel Choir. The musical selection they chose made it feel like a Sunday morning in church. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best being serenaded by the choir.

The keynote speech was given by Bri Elum, Elum works in the Women’s Center here on campus and she delivered some uplifting words for the occasion. Her speech included an empowering acronym of the word melanin that touched many in the audience, recognized by the occasional snap and collective “period” echoed throughout the crowd.

There were two spoken word performances, one by Ariana Frazier, a fourth year Interdisciplinary Studies major and another by Jaz Bryant, a fourth year Political Science major. They vocalized two powerful pieces with different, yet both equally important, messages. One about the beauty of being Black and the other about solidarity within the Black community.

The spoken word was followed by a performance from NCSU Code Red. They had a performance during the Stroll off that took place earlier in the week and came back for an encore. They had a stomp and shake performance before they came into the crowd to swag surf.

These events were followed by a party.

The entire event was DJ’ed by DJ Trellz and he kept the event live the whole time.

There were also conversational topics given on the event program called Brown Table Talk. Some of the topics included Black pop culture fun questions and deeper questions that explored themes related to the Black experience.

London Tolson, a fourth-year Technology, Engineering, and Design Education student enjoyed the event, saying, “The shades of melanin brunch

was a fun experience and it was amazing to see so many Black students in one space together on campus. It was nice to have an informal social event where we could just enjoy each other's company. I mostly enjoyed seeing all of the cute, brown-tone outfits. As well as the cute mocktail bar.”

Kaylah Wilson, a third year student majoring in Zoology said, “I thoroughly enjoyed being able to go to an event and just be unapologetically black. It was comforting to be in a room full of individuals from all different backgrounds and feel like I was supposed to be there.

The spoken word artists were phenomenal and it was nice to see Black individuals rewarded for the hard work they put in to make Pan-Af week come to life. I could appreciate the mix of activities: being able to celebrate others, seeing individuals showcase their talents, have fun with other Black individuals, and seeing so many beautiful outfits. The Shades of Melanin brunch ,all in all, was a hit and did a wonderful job of bringing together the community.”

Overall, this event was a great success.

It was executed amazingly by the BSB Pan-African week committee. Hopefully, this event will be a recurring one, because it seems like a lot of people enjoyed it. It was a great opportunity for the students on campus to dress up and show off their fits for the occasion.

“The shades of melanin brunch was a fun experience and it was amazing to see so many Black students in one space together on campus. I mostly enjoyed seeing all of the cute, brown-tone outfits. As well as the cute mocktail bar.”

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 14

Opinion

Folk Nouveau: Folktales Mixed With Reality On April 5th, 2022, Milan Hall the African American Staff Writer

Cultural Center (AACC) opened its new art exhibit: Folk Nouveau: Myth, Magic, and Resistance which featured the artwork of Ajani Anderson.

Anderson is an artist from Durham, North Carolina, and holds a B.A. in African American Diaspora Studies and Art History.

The art exhibit opened with attendees walking around and viewing the art. After the initial viewing, Anderson gave an artist talk in which she answered questions about her art and processes.

The art pieces in Folk Nouveau have a surrealistic style and are based on African American Folklore. There are some common themes in the artwork such as children and birds. Some of the main folktales that served as inspiration for Anderson's work were Brer Rabbit and Anasi the Spider, “I think a lot of what drew me to folklore is that the basis for a lot of these works was this idea that from the moment that Black people were brought into this inhumane system of slavery they were also engaging in creating narratives that were still affirming their worth and creating stories and spirituality and community and changing who was the protagonist.”

Anderson's artwork is not just based in the world of fiction “It's autobiographical in a lot of ways, I don’t think I have the expertise to say I'm making any broad sweeping notions about Blackness or gender or any of the big concepts. I think a lot of the pieces are about fights I have with my mom or fears I have about my brothers.” Similar to the people who created the folktales she bases her art on, Anderson wants to create her own story: “I think a lot of the story that I am telling is me creating my own identity, my own narrative, centering myself… using folktale as this vehicle as making myself the protagonist.”

This point is elevated by the surrealist style of the art. A facet of Surrealism is the combination of the human experience with something mythical or dreamlike.

According to Anderson, she is “Using these kinds of creative, imaginative notations of myth, magic, and fairytale to elevate my story to the level that it needs to be told.”

Image Contributed by the African American Cultural Center

The actual processes that Anderson uses to make her work are also a reflection of herself as they play into her academic background. “I did a lot of research about folklore and African American folklore as I was making these pieces and I kind of used that as the basis to express what I’m feeling at the moment.”

No project is without challenges however, “I think probably the biggest challenge was I decided what I wanted to say as an artist before I started. I was actually saying anything and so I had the end of the story before I had written any other part of it. I had to separate myself from … I think it was difficult but also very enlightening and healing in a lot of ways to let that pressure go of already knowing what the answer is and kind of let the story form as it forms.

But it's difficult because I like having all the answers. ” Folk Nouveau displays art from many mediums however the prominent one was graphite drawings, “There's a lot of small detail work and I think that for my process it's very important because it helps me- I can’t do it quickly- so I think it helps me be really intentional as I am creating a piece and you know it's one of the few erasable

mediums so I can make changes and let the story develop naturally.”

Anderson gave some insight on the specific process of one of her works titled How Boys Break, a graphite drawing featuring two young boys. “That one [How Boys Break] I think is really about the characteristics of Brer Rabbit which like yes he is cunning and he's clever and he's smart but he's also really crafty and he steals from people like he’s not exactly admirable. I think a lot of what I've been kind of contending with is traits that I have had to kind of come up with and that I pass on to other people may be necessary to survive and to move through the world, but they aren't necessarily admirable, they’re not always the best traits that I want to have.” Again Anderson connects this idea back to her family “So if I'm telling my younger brother to put on his hood when he goes out when I'm telling him to be very aware that he is not being seen as the kid that I know that he is but as this aggressor when he goes out then it might be necessary for survival but it takes something from him.”

The art in itself is very personal for Anderson so it raises the question of what

should the audience get out of it? “It’s a cop-out to say but I want you guys to figure it out.” Anderson then shared what she personally gained from her work outside of it being an outlet to express herself “I think it a story that's important, as I've been doing this work I've been kind of redefining things in my head about home, identity, resistance, and so one of the things that I’ve with resistance is that I've kind of always thought of resistance as planting your feet where you are and refusing to be moved and being where you are and asserting that you are there but I think that is a little bit lacking. I think resistance is that and also that pushing back and a lot of that pushing back is being able to create, imagine, and heal. I think healing is an act of resistance.”

Despite encouraging her audience to make their own ideas about her work and to look into these folktales, according to Anderson she doesn’t seek to inspire, at least not solely through her art, “I don't know if I'm trying to inspire in the sense that I think these are the stories I think you should look up to. I think what I hope to inspire would be that individual selfwork and healing and creating your own narrative and to be able to take ownership in that space that you occupy.”

The folktales, artwork, and Anderson herself all combine to create the experience of Folk Nouveau. She expresses that if a viewer were to look at one of the art pieces only thinking about one of these elements they could still enjoy it but they lose the bigger picture. Understanding the folktales and how they are used in tandem with Anderson's own personal experiences and growth adds a new layer to the artwork.

Through retelling these folktales Anderson makes herself and the subjects of her art the protagonist of their own story while encouraging her viewers to do the same.

If you would like to learn more about Ajani Anderson or her artwork you can visit her website www.ajanielyse.com or her Instagram @ajani.elyse.

Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 15

Opinion

Soul and Salsa Zumba for All! Amber langley On Tuesday, April 5, 2022, The Black Correspondent Student Board (BSB) hosted a Soul and Salsa Zumba event as a way to celebrate Pan-Af Week. In my opinion, I would say the event was a success.

This was the perfect event to blow off some steam from all of your stresses from this semester while participating in physical activity which is always a good thing.

Based on the atmosphere in the room, you can tell that everyone there had a great time!

Prior to this, I had never participated in a Zumba event. So, I went into it nervous and not sure what to expect. I had a fear that this was going to be something that would be hard for me to participate in. Once the event officially began, it was easy to get each routine down, and the thought quickly left my mind. Imani Bynum, a thirdyear Psychology major here at NC State, commented on her experience, stating “well I guess I thought it’d be pretty hard and not fun, but it turned out to be really fun. You didn’t really have to master all of the moves.

As long as you were moving that was good enough, which made the environment really relaxing.”

Almost every genre of music was covered from Soca to Afrobeats to LatinX/Salsa music, there was a song for everyone to enjoy. There was a wide variety of people who attended. Attendees were taught step by step what to do as they followed along with Jordan, the instructor.

This was an inclusive event for everyone to participate in. Generally, depending on where one is in their life with their confidence level and acceptance of their disability, people with disabilities can have a hard time going to and participating in certain tasks or events. There is a fear of being discriminated against by others because of having a disability and a fear of failure while performing differentt activities.

Disabilities make people feel excluded from the beginning. So, if one does not have enough confidence to explain and show their disability to others, then it can be a lot to overcome both physically and emotionally. According to Webmd, “zumba is an interval workout. The classes move between high- and low-intensity dance moves designed to get your heart rate up and boost cardio endurance.” Those with disabilities can have difficulties with these types of activities because they may have to

overcompensate one part of their body to make up for lack.

The BSB’s Soul and Salsa Zumba event was easy to participate in as opposed to others, where one may feel incapable and alone.

With this event, people were able to choose where they wanted to stand and participate. So, for those who were not as confident in showcasing themselves dancing, it was perfectly fine to stand in the back and dance. They could take a break whenever you wanted or felt that it was necessary and no one would mind.

I do believe everyone in attendance was focused on trying to nail the dance routine step by step instead of focusing on how others were doing. Some had trouble along the way with keeping up with some of the more challenging parts of the routine but a common theme that I witnessed was that people just laughed through it and kept going.

“ The BSB’s Soul and

Salsa Zumba event was easy to participate in as opposed to others, where one may feel incapable and alone” Even those who struggled were able to get back into the swing of things again and feel like they didn’t miss a beat. This event was a nice event to attend to build your confidence up, work on dance skills, and get in a nice workout.

I definitely left the event feeling a little tired but was proud to be in attendance and mainly just complete the event to the best of my ability. Looking back on it, I was definitely sore the next couple of days but glad to say that I had a great time and participated in something that I never thought that I would. In the future, I may even start to go to more Zumba events because I had such a good experience.

Next time the BSB hosts an event like this, be sure to pop out and have a good time! Shoutout to the Black Student Board and the instructor Jordan for putting on a successful Soul and Salsa Zumba event!

The Masculinization of Black women Serena Williams.

Francine Niyonsaba.

Megan Thee Stallion.

Michelle Obama. What do all of these Black women have in common? They all have been hypermasculinized by today’s society.

Black women have been consistently hypermasculinized by society and the media. There has been a push back against these comments and narratives in recent years by the Black community.

These comments are usually from men who are intimidated and or have been rejected by Black women.

Serena Williams, who is the greatest tennis player of all time, has been consistently harassed and berated for not being “feminine enough” because she is muscular and could compete competitively with any gender.

Francine Niyonsaba, who is the secondhighest ranked woman in the world for the 800-meter race, was disqualified for having too high natural testosterone levels in her system. Her options were to either have treatment to alter her hormones, compete in the men’s race or run a longer race, like the 5000-meter race.

There have been claims that women from African countries have higher levels of naturally occurring testosterone, however, there is not enough scientific evidence to back this claim up. These claims stem from the fact that most of the women who are identified for sex testing by athletics officials come from this region. This rule created by the World Athletics Association regulates the amount of naturally occurring testosterone levels in female athletes. This rule is rooted in anti-Black feminism and Black transmisogyny, which is the intersection of transphobia and misogyny as experienced by trans women and transfeminine people.

Dr. Candice Norcott, a licensed clinical psychologist, who focuses on genderresponsive, trauma-informed service delivery and adolescent mental health and wellness was invited to the Red Table Talk where she discusses why black women are hypermasculinized by society. She says that the reason that these comparisons to men and defeminization occur is that we do not fit the default mold, “the default for Black is Black men and the default for women and femininity is white women”.

Arana Blake Staff Writer

So because we do not fit in this default society begins to make us invisible. An example of this is when you get called the name of the only other Black girl in your class or in your workspace when you look nothing alike.

Throughout history, darker-skinned Black women have always been demonized and looked at as men for the features that they have and the qualities that they embody. Black women have negatively been seen as strong, competitive, aggressive and loud, all qualities that society says that women should not have. Since our society has been and continues to be run by white men, their views have been systematically placed in our society. They believe that women should be the complete opposite of them in nature, meaning quiet, docile people, who they can control. It is our lack of proximity to whiteness that makes us “non-feminine.”

As subsets of gender and gender expression, femininity and masculinity are both social constructs. How society views and defines these concepts differ across cultures and across history. One large issue with society has when looking at these concepts is that they believe that sex, gender and gender expression are direct correlations of each other when that is not the case.

People need to begin to really reflect on their intentions with their words and how they address and comment on Black women. Most complements made towards Black women, especially dark skinned Black women are not complemented at all. They are rooted in colorism and racism. Some examples of this are, “I love me some dark chocolate”, “The darker the berry the sweeter the juice”, and “ You are pretty for a Black girl.” When talking about or talking to Black women, you should take a moment to think, am I comparing them to food?

Am I talking about their hair in a negative manner? Do my comments perpetuate racist and colorist stereotypes? If they do, then stop and rethink what you have to say. It is not difficult to treat Black women with the respect that they deserve.

Everyone, including the Black community (cough cough Black men), needs to do better.

h D t a r y a E r i l p 2 A 2, 2022 , y a d i r F

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