Nubian Message, April. 20, 2023- We Out Here

NUBIANMESSAGE

THIS ISSUE Letter from the editor

Hey Y’all,

This issue is all about NC State’s Pan-Af Week, a tradition here at NC State. Black Students Board isn't the only one continuing traditions this year. At Nubian, every Pan-Af issue is run by the new Editor-in-Chief (E-I-C) and Managing Editor for the next school year. And those people are Jeanine Ikekhua and I! Nubian has been a constant throughout my time here at State and I’m excited to be E-I-C for the 2023-24 school year!

While on the topic of next school year, who else is ready for this one to end? This semester didn’t hold pull punches. But no need to dwell on the negative. Let’s just celebrate one of the best weeks in school and finish the year out strong.

Thank you to the ‘22-’23 Nubian staff for a great year. Good luck, everyone!

See you in Fall,

Milan Hall

4 BAC'S APRIL SHOWCASE

Celebrating Black creatives at NC State

9 THE 2023 SNEAKER BALL The power of sneaker culture

10 NUBIAN MESSAGE PAN-AF STAFF EDITORIAL Staff's thoughts on Pan-Af Week

15 THE SOUL SOCIAL Students relaxing and unwinding during Pan-Af Week

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Milan Hall

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Jeanine Ikekhau

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Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe

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Ugonna Ezuma-Igwe

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Nadia Hargett

Micah Oliphant

Eleanor Saunders

Shaere Delgiudice

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.

cover Photo BY Kaela Belingon/ Nubian Message Photo Editor

Students smile for a group picture at the Sneaker Ball in the Talley Ballroom on Saturday, April 8, 2023. The event was the last event of Pan-Afrikan Week, hosted by the Black Students Board.

THEE Drag Ball: A Celebration of Being Yourself

Shaere Delgiudice Staff Writer

On Tuesday, April 4, NC State’s Black Students Board (BSB) put on THEE Drag Ball as part of Pan-Afrikan Week. THEE Drag Ball was a drag show hosted by Drag Queen Erica Chanel, with fellow Queens Kiara Mel, Paris Brooks-Bonet and Giselle Cassidy Carter.

The show included an informative Q&A segment where the queens answered questions chosen ahead of time as well as written questions from the audience.

Audience members gained insight on the inner workings of the drag world, such as how the queens got their starts in drag.

For Mel, an NC State alum who studied Agribusiness and Poultry Science, her interest in drag started after she came out.“RuPaul’s Drag Race” inspired her to want to try her hand at drag.

Fellow queen Brooks-Bonet's story with drag began at the local talent show as a way to help a friend afford their rent.

Stories of caring and connection in drag were shared throughout the Q&A. An example of the kindness that’s shared through the art of drag came from the queens' various answers about their favorite part of doing drag. Cassidy Carter said, “my favorite part of drag would be the messages that I get sometimes from people saying that I’ve touched them or helped them through something just by simply performing and being myself.”

Mel echoed this saying there are “so many brunches I go to and there's so many individuals especially [like] plus size women that come up to me and say you give me so much strength, you give me so much hope and I wish I had your confidence” to which she said “people don't need to give you permission to be who you are.”

The queens also discussed the work put into doing drag as well as their experiences as Black drag performers. They talked about how hard it is to make themselves visible along with the difficult expectations that come with drag. For many of them, drag is their full-time job.

The queens also focused more on the community aspect of drag as a whole. Chanel said her favorite part of drag is “building a bond” with her sisters and “building a community where, when something's going on in my life I know

that I can call any one of these girls and they're going to uplift each other and we fully support each other in and out of drag.”

Similarly, Brooks-Bonet said “I would not be the man I am today or the performer I am today if it wasn't for the queer community in North Carolina, specifically in Raleigh.” As Cassidy Carter said, and her fellow queens' answers suggested as well, drag serves as a form of expression for how the performers feel or what they might be going through in that moment. It's a way for them to be more comfortable with themselves and share something that can have a real, sometimes unexpected, impact on others.

Host Chanel ended the night with an impassioned message for the audience, saying, “brothers and sisters are under attack and they are trying to get us the hell out of here you guys so I know that you have had fun today and that you guys have had a great time but if I can leave you here with anything is please when the next election comes on I need for every single one of y'all in here to go and f***ing vote, it is times like this that we have to stick together, we have to fight for each other.” She then asked the audience to scream “drag is not a crime,” words that have been increasingly said as many anti-drag bills

are being proposed, or even signed into law, across the country.

The ball was many attendees’ first time attending a drag show, such as first-year Psychology major and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies minor, Kennedy Martin Jones, who has been “wanting to come to a drag show for a while now.”

It was also first-year intended Business Administration and Information Technology major Bomet Beke’s first drag show and he said he enjoyed the “excitement, the presence of the whole environment” and “how comforting it was.”

As fun as the experience was, it also taught a lot about drag performers and the drag community as a whole and left the audience with much to think about. The words of Cassidy Carter resonated with Beke, saying to “be yourself, really just figure out who you are and enjoy who you are.” Looking ahead, Beke says he wants to “look into more queer spaces close by” where he could “just go and hang out in the environment.”

Madison Kinsey, a first-year Animal Science major, said the ball taught her more about “how important it is, even if you're not a part of the community to stand in solidarity with them.”

On why she wanted to come to the ball, second-year Zoology major Alyssa Allen, who had previously attended other shows, said she wanted to “come to a place where Black queer people can meet in a safe spot.” She expanded on this saying, “it's nice to be in an environment where you see other people like you, and you see that you're safe, and nobody's gonna judge you for what you are.”

When asked about the importance of having the ball, Allen shared a similar message to Chanel’s, saying, “drag is not a crime, it's not hurting anybody. It's just a form of self-expression. And so I think it's important that people show their support, and people show that drag is entertainment and self-expression. And it's just a way for queer people to congregate. So I think it's really important and it also shows that [like] NC State and some of their organizations, [like] support drag.”

On the importance of coming out to the event, which was his second drag show, first-year Exploratory Studies major Brandon Leach said, “people have always been discrediting the LGBTQ+ community, especially drag, but if you come to events like this, you can see how it's just, it's just, we're here to have fun. We’re here to have a good time. There's no harm and you can just come and support the people.”

On what she learned from this event, first-year Psychology major, Chelsea Roberts said she is “not really big on politics” but that she is “now seeing the importance in voting like, that's something that I wouldn't want taken away from anybody. So the fact that they're trying to just in general, like places and stuff, it makes me realize that there’s some things that we have to do as a community.”

In regards to attending the ball itself, Roberts said it was “perfect to come here” and that “sure you learn things from like RuPaul and stuff like that but it's different when you see it in person. These are real people. These are like people's jobs, their lives. So it's important.”

With its glamorous outfits, dynamic performances and audience inclusion, THEE Drag Ball provided a night of entertainment for students while also giving them a perspective they may not have seen before.

Emily Peedin/Staff Photographer Drag queen Erica Chanel performs at THEE Drag Ball inside Talley Student Union on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

The 2023 BAC April Showcase

nadia hargett Staff Writer

On Thursday, April 6, the Black Student Board (BSB) in partnership with the Black Artist Coalition (BAC) held an art showcase on Harris Field. This showcase was a part of NC State’s Pan-Afrikan week and featured seasoned visual artists and performers ranging from poets to singers. Primarily running the event were BAC’s President and Vice President, Kierstan Hicks and Laila Monadi.

The purpose of this event was to provide a platform for People of Color (POC) artists to showcase their artistry and talent to NC State students. The visual artists, including Julian Doaks, Kayla Clark, Lee-Chavis-Tartaglia, Maliah Fair, Nate Gomez, Unique Patton, Tobin Travis and Monadi, were selling some of their artwork at their own stations.

Unique Patton, a fourth-year majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Business Administration and Design Studies who participated as a visual artist, gave some personal insight on what this event means to her and why she chose to partake in it.

Nubian Message: Alright…and what’s the significance of this event to you?

Unique Patton: The significance of this event for me is, um, for one I’ve been a part of BAC, like the club, for about two and a half years, so for me being able to have a space that artists of color can come and just be able to create and not feel like we have to like, create for other beings and just create for ourselves authentically… that’s what I really appreciate about it. Also, meeting dope artists and connecting with them, ‘cause like I’m a senior I’m bout to leave, but like I still wanna stay connected with a lot of the students here.

NM: That’s really great…and what do you hope to see from this event as an artist?

UP: I think that for me, I would want to see just like…more engagement with the community here, so like not just black people and other people of color, but like everyone on this campus so they can see our work, engage with it and ask questions, but mostly I feel like it's always a story behind every artist so us getting our stories

out is really important. That would be my wish.

NM: Alright, and then one more question: How do you think this event contributes to Black culture on campus?

UP: I think it contributes from how we only started up during COVID and whatnot, and it's provided a space. People of color need a safe space to create so, I feel like having that space is really helpful and I’ve met a lot of people here, like in the club, who’ve come out to sell art. They’re engineers and technical majors and things like that, but they still have a soft spot for the arts, so I feel like we needed [this] in hard times, especially with what’s been going on with mental health and all of that other stuff, so I’m glad that this can be that for people.

Performers were a major part of this event as well. The performers included Spooky, who showcased an original

spoken-word poem, Christopher Dunstan, who mixed and mastered some music and showcased his dancing, Mona Abraham who mixed music and also sang a song cover, Monadi who sang a cover and Hicks who read an original poem.

After Monadi’s performance, they provided some insight into why BAC hosts these showcases and what they enjoy about hosting them.

Nm: And what motivates you and BAC to host these events?

Laila Monadi: Mainly just to bring together more Black artists and the black community in general ‘cause I know there’s just so many of us and so many opportunities for us to come together especially for Black artists in general, I feel like that’s an intersection that’s not often highlighted at…you know PWIs often are just like, ‘cause, I know just out of the entirety of art clubs here there are probably two or three and they’re probably a white

majority hosted so, just having our own safe space here for POC artists I feel like is really important to build community and comfort and just having that safe space for everyone to come to and just express themselves!

NM: Nice, and what’s your favorite part of hosting these events?

LM: My favorite part? Probably just the community aspect. Like again, like events like this, getting everyone together so everyone can come out and showcase their talents and just sort of express the authentic part of themselves that they wouldn’t get to [show] anywhere else. That’s the biggest joy I’d have to say.

NM: Okay, and if there’s one thing you want people to take away from this event, what would it be?

LM: Just that we are…I guess again like I said we are welcoming, we’re a safe space, all POC artists [are] welcome, or if you’re just like a person of color in general looking to have friends, learn something new, express yourself, we are open and welcome to all of you so…yeah! Just… that’s the main thing is that the Black Artist Coalition is a space for safety, freedom, creativity, and a POC community.

At the end of the event, Hicks showed her appreciation and admiration when she thanked all of the attendees and made sure to highlight the visual artists and performers once again, “Please give it up once more for our amazing visual artists who spent so much time making this art for us to see. Also please give it up for our amazing performers who came up here and showcased their talents tonight.”

The Black Artist Coalition and their annual April showcases serve as a platform for Black artists and performers alike to showcase their work and talent. The collaboration with BSB during Pan-Afrikan week amplifies their presence even further. The Black Artist Coalition’s Instagram page, @blackartistcoalition, notifies followers of the showcase every year and also highlights different black artists in their posts.

Ony Otiocha/Staff Photographer

Unique Patton, a fourth-year design studies student, watches a performance at the Black Artist Coalition's April Showcase held at Harris Field on Thursday, April 6, 2023. This event was held during Pan-Afrikan Week, which celebrates unifies students of African diaspora.

Roll Bounce and the History of Roller Skating

Leila Ganim Correspondent

On Monday, April 3, the Black Students Board (BSB) kicked off Pan-Afrikan week with an exciting Roll Bounce-themed event. Pan-Afrikan week is an annual celebration amongst Black students, showcasing Black Culture and building community at NC State. This year’s theme for Pan-Af week was black undefined, emphasizing a move towards understanding the complexities and nuances of the Black identity in the United States. The event’s flyer description reads “Come out to a ’70s-themed skating night! Enjoy skating, groovy music, and snacks'' and boy did they deliver. Students were first checked in at the welcome desk by BSB student volunteers. They walked into the transformed Talley ballroom decorated with sparkly silver curtains. Once inside students had a few choices: they could join the crowded line of chatty students grabbing and rolling on skates, or go over to the refreshments table and munch on snacks or slushies. There was also a station to get their polaroid picture taken by the neon orange RollBounce sign. Students enjoyed the safe and social environment to celebrate the beginning of Pan-Afrikan week.

To get a picture of what goes on behind the scenes, Nubian Message interviewed Event Coordinator Kamya Harvin, fourth-year and sociology student.

Nubian Message: How did you guys come up with the theme of the event? And week?

Kamya Harvin: Roller skating is a big part of Black Culture. We wanted to tailor our theme of Black Undefined where we are trying to represent all parts of the black diaspora by hosting a variety of events.

NM: How does roller skating connect to the African American community?

KH: It is a form of expression and creativity.

NM: How does roller skating connect to Pan-Af week?

KH: We want to represent all parts of

black culture with our theme of black undefined. Roller skating ties right into this, for skating is very prevalent in the black community and is rooted in our culture.

NM: What was the process like for creating the event?

KH: Ideas are brought to the table and we work through them together in a collaborative workspace. A lead is assigned to each event and tasks are delegated for a team effort.

NM: What were some challenges or triumphs of creating the event?

KH: Triumphs were reaching our audience and being able to successfully create a fun environment that students were able to enjoy.

NM: Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t asked about?

KH: It is very important to support BSB and other Black organizations on campus so that we can continue to do the work that we do!

Nubian Message also interviewed Jordyn Williams, Student Leadership & Engagement UAB Coordinator.

Nubian Message : How did you bring this event to fruition?

Jordyn Williams: The planning process for this event began months ago. I started by browsing Pinterest for decor inspiration and mapping out what I wanted the space to look like, the key components of the event, and how I wanted to bring the theme to life. The event started as a simple Google document and once I had a concrete plan, I went into booking our DJ and the vendor who provided the roller rink. The rest of the planning was just creating the menu for the concession stand and making all of my purchases! Day of, we spent hours decorating and setting up, which I could not have done without the help of the BSB students and my co-advisor!

Roller skating within the Black community is rich with a history of community building, expressionism and passion. Once introduced to the American scene, roller skating became a popular pastime for people of all ages, yet the rinks only allowed white people to skate.

In 1942, the first black-owned roller rink opened in Cleveland, Ohio. Pla-Mor Roller Rink was the social scene of the Black community in the 1940s and carried through until the ‘60s when the rink met its tragic end. Events such as the “Exhibit of Progress” and the “Home and Food Show” began in this important space of social change. Unfortunately, during the Hough Uprisings, the roller rink was burned down, but its legacy still continues today with events like Roll Bounce. .

Popular roller rinks only welcomed the Black community on “special nights” such as “R&B” or “Soul.” However, in 1955, the community took control by building the famous Rollercade rink located in Detroit, Michigan. Today, Rollercade is one of the oldest Black-owned roller rinks still around. Its mission is to preserve the roller skating culture of the African American community and ensure its future in culture. They host events like R&B Tuesdays, Poise Detroit Skate Night and the Brown Explores Skate Party which provide a rich understanding of their cultural history.

Another organization working towards the preservation of skating culture is the African American Museum of Roller Skating. This museum was established in 2021 paired with NYC's RollerSkate Week. The goal of this organization is to actively maintain the integral connection between access to roller skating and the Black community.

They emphasize that the core of the museum “is focused on creating unique, original, engaging and fresh experiences, exhibitions and multimedia digital content, representing the full spectrum of roller-skating across the nation. These ends are achieved through virtually-accessible media and through customized, site-specific, pop-up events.” Again taking inspiration from the past and paving a way for its future in the world of roller skating.

Nubian Message spoke to Shaniya Woolridge, a second-year majoring in

Anthropology and Issac Smith, a fourth-year majoring in Natural Resources to get a student perspectives on roller skating.

Nubian Message: What does roller skating mean to you?

Shaniya Woolridge, a second-year majoring in Anthropology: For me roller skating gives me a sense of community because I skateboard and roller skate so just being around people that also skate gives you a sense of community that someone else is doing exactly what you're doing right now.” Which was the exact energy of the room during the event.

Issac Smith: I really liked this event, it was dope and friendly and a nice way to merge people into the culture you know. The whole theme is very apparently important to the movie and to the African American community and it's a nice way to get people into the culture. Centered around BSB and enjoying black events and getting people roller skating which is dope.

The core values of roller skating culture reflects the sentiments of Pan-Afrikan Week as a whole. This year’s Pan-Af theme Black undefined guided inspiration for the creation of the events, designed to reach all audiences so that everyone would feel included.

This week of events ranged from the Roll Bounce event to the Sneaker Ball to THEE Drag Ball. All provide a safe, fun and inclusive environment for students to enjoy an evening of community building. The leaders of BSB emphasize the importance of community involvement and volunteering. The Roll Bounce event was an opportunity for NC State students to enjoy community building while having fun.

pan-Af

Hallie Walker/Staff Photographer Drag queen Paris Brooks Bonet poses on the stairs during THEE Drag Ball in Talley Student Union on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Hallie Walker/Staff Photographer Anna Adom, a sophomore studying electrical engineering, dances at the Sneaker Ball hosted by the Black Students Board in Talley Student Union State Ballroom on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

Kaela Belingon/Staff Photographer Justin Garrett, a first-year studying political science, falls during the Roll Bounce Skating event in the Talley Ballroom on Monday, April 3, 2023.

Jermaine Hudson/Staff Photographer Gisele White, a third-year studying agricultural science, rolls around the corner during the Roll Bounce Skating event on Monday, April 3, 2023.

at night

Top Left: Emily Peedin/Staff Photographer

Drag queen Kiara Mel pretends to belt at THEE Drag Ball inside Talley Student Union on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. Kiara Mel is the reigning Miss Gay North Carolina America and an NC State alum.

Bottom Left: Jermaine Hudson/Staff Photographer Drag performer Giselle Cassidy Carter performs during the "THEE Drag Ball" event in Talley Student Union on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Top Right : Katie Ryder/Staff Photographer

A model, wearing designs by Natalia Barnack, looks at the judges before returning down the runway during the 25th Annual Fashion Expose, one of the Pan-Afrikan Week events hosted by the African American Textile Society, in Tally Student Union on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Bottom right: Kaela Belingon/Staff Photographer

A model shows off designer Jayla Renaud's outfit during the 25th Annual Fashion Exposé in the Talley Ballroom on Thursday, April 6, 2023. Renaud placed third in the Novice category.

AATS Fashion Expose

The African American Textile Society (AATS) held their 25th annual Fashion Exposé on Thursday, April 6, 2023. It featured 16 designers made up of students from North Carolina State and North Carolina Central University. The event lasted an hour and a half, and Nubian Message got the full inside scoop of the event before, during and after the show.

Micah Oliphant Staff Writer

Backstage, many designers were putting the finishing touches on their models' makeup and hair. Some designers were even finishing up their garments right up to the last second. Nubian Message interviewed model Kayla Hillman, walking for designer Natalia Barnack,“I’m really excited for everyone to be able to see her collection because she worked so hard on it,” Hillman stated. Nubian asked Hillman how she was feeling about walking in the show. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m excited too, so it cancels out.” Hillman is a first-year student studying Fashion & Textile Management.

Watching everyone backstage, you could really sense the energy in the room. Lots of people were nervous before the show, with models still practicing their walks, and designers shaking with nerves. Others were just pacing around in general.

A few designers had a lot to prove, with family members in the audience awaiting their showcase. This was the case for designer Alexa Karrenbauer, a second-year studying Fashion & Textile Design. “It’s my first collection and my parents, my family is coming and they have been hyping me up so I don’t want to disappoint them.” Karrenbauer said that if they could describe their collection in one word, they would describe it as whimsical, “Well, my collection is kind of inspired by feminine songs and gothic kind of things so I tried to envision that.”

In no time, the show was ready to begin. The Mountains Ballroom quickly filled up with people rushing to find their seats. Reserved seats also filled up in a heartbeat with parents, family and friends coming to support their loved ones participating in the show.

The show was hosted by the AATS faculty advisor, Jaquan Scott, who introduced the designers and got the ball rolling on the exposé.

Scott introduced the first category of designers: the Novice Designers. Designers in this category were beginners when it came to creating their own collection.

After briefly giving thanks to everyone who came out and to the AATS’ sponsors, Scott left the stage to the first novice designer.

The Novice category showed a wide range of designers and highlighted the talents and hard work of everyone involved. Dominique Bell’s collection opened the show. The collection was completely crocheted. Bell stated in a video they played before her showcase that she was inspired by nature, the environment around her and that the color of every garment had some correlation to nature. Bell also stated in the video that she had been crocheting since she was ten-years-old.

Like Bell, all the designers had a video that premiered before their work was showcased to give background information to the audience such as the designers inspirations, the fabrics and materials they used, and any other information they felt needed to be shared with the audience. This allowed the audience to appreciate each artist's work individually and view it from different perspectives.

Alexa Karrenbauer wanted to experiment with aesthetics and gender, using her skills of crochet and knitting to create

a collection that did just that. The final designer of the showcase was a student at North Carolina Central University. She said that the collection was the first one that she had ever done. Her inspiration was the popular TV show from the early 2000s “Bratz,” which exuded throughout her collection.

There was one novice designer who dedicated her collection to her dog, RoRo, and had a print of his face on every garment she showcased.

The Novice category soon came to a close. After a brief intermission, the next category of designers began: The Intermediate and Beyond. This category featured designers who have had experience creating clothes on a large scale and have a higher skill set when it comes to creating garments from scratch.

Similar to the novice set of designs, the intermediate category included lots of talented designers. The size of their collections were different, with the novice designers only having to do four to five designs, but the intermediate designers could create up to eight designs for their showcase.

The Intermediate category included designs that exemplified retro-futurism, afro-futurism, experimentation with colors and stories and lots and lots of themes.

At the end of the show, Jaquan Scott came back out to give thanks to

everyone and announce the winners. The first-place winner from the novice category was Dominique Bell, a first-year Fashion & Textile Design student. The first-place winner from the intermediate and beyond category was Jada Williams, a third-year studying in Fashion & Textile Management.

Nubian Message had the chance to speak to Jada Williams after the show ended. When asked about her win Williams stated, “I’m just in shock. It’s just great to do something you’re passionate about and just get recognized for it. I’m so excited.” Williams stated that the inspiration behind her collection was her favorite childhood play, “The Wiz.” “The cast was all Black you know. Diana Ross, and Michael Jackson, and full of iconic Black actors and comedians, like Richard Pryor. All different areas of Black people who were successful in coming together to make such a great piece of art known as ‘The Wiz.’” Williams' design showcased her version of each of the iconic characters from the film, with her garment being Dorothy.

Nubian Message also got a chance to also speak with the president of AATS, Jordan Everett, a second-year studying Textile Technology. “I'm just proud of all the designers that we were able to showcase tonight. I’m also proud of the show being sold out. That was my biggest thing just trying to have the numbers and also just to have the people in attendance you know, the people that I tried to invite were alumni. Also people within the field just so the designers can get that connection to talk to people so that's the part that really means the world to me.”

Nubian Message asked Evertt how they felt with the winners being two Black women. “It means the world that to Black women won like shout out to them. Just love Dominique’s collection, Jada’s idea of using the Wiz and just like the way that she had the models present themselves was really amazing. So, that really means a lot to just showcase the diversity here at the Wilson College of Textile and also at NC State. So I really love that and I'm so glad that I'm able to support them during this process and give them the opportunity on the stage to showcase who they are.”

The AATS 25th Annual Fashion Exposé was a night that highlighted the talent and hard work of black and other insanely creative designers.

Stefanie Harper/Staff Photographer Jada Williams celebrates on the runway after earning first place at the 25th Annual Fashion Expose event for Pan-Afirkan Week in Talley Student Union on Thursday, April 6, 2023. Jada Williams showcased a collection called "Ease It Down."

Walk that Walk: Sneaker Ball 2023

This year’s Pan-Afrikan Week has been quite an eventful one for many Black-identifying students and faculty. And on April 8th, the Sneaker Ball was no exception. The night was filled with dancing, outfit contests and live performances by students.

Billie Vicente Correspondant

Walking in and seeing everybody dripped all the way down to their feet was an exciting sight. NC State’s Ballroom had become a glowing red mirage, an inviting environment to the sharply dressed students to come in and strut on the red carpet. Those that attended the event danced all night in their favorite sneakers, from black Air Forces to vintage Jordans.

The theme of this year’s Pan-Afrikan Week was “Black Undefined.” When asked why the BSB decided to close the week with the Sneaker Ball, Kamya Harvin, a third-year majoring in Sociology and Event Coordinator, stated, “We kinda wanted to have events that tailor to all different aspects of Blackness and we wanted to touch on different parts of Black culture.”

When asked what this year’s theme meant to them, the attendees of the Sneaker Ball had much to say.

“Tonight, you’ll notice I’m rocking the Huaraches,” said second year student Tyler Lewis. “I definitely love and definitely support the theme ‘Black Undefined," said Lewis. “To me, it means just the whole diaspora of being Black. It isn’t one specific thing.”

“For myself, I’m in my first era where I’m fully dressing as myself and I only socialize with people that restore me. It’s been a really healthy time to be whatever the f— I want,” exclaimed Kiara Bush, a fourth-year double majoring in Design Studies and Statistics.

“Black Undefined is being yourself without feeling the pressure to be one specific thing because you’re Black. Being Black doesn’t mean ‘act this way’ or ‘dress this way,’ it means being who you are while also carrying the identity of Blackness,” adds Harvin.

The rest of the night was filled with dancing, music, and a dance performance by an all Black student-led hip-hop dance group, and a vocal performance by the Ladies in Red, “NC State’s premier all-women and non-binary identifying student-led a cappella group.

It is undeniable that the ‘Hypebeast’ aesthetic has been sweeping the younger generation, and the evolution of street-style footwear has closely followed.

Nowadays, sneaker culture has arguably become about showing off wealth as much as it is a personal expression. Sneaker culture has evolved from being a staple in Black and white urban skateboarding communities, to athleisure, to now being a sign of wealth and prestige among young people and footwear enthusiasts.

Some of the most popular sneaker brands represented at the Sneaker Ball include Air Jordans, Vans and Converses among many notable others. One of the highlights of the night was the ‘Drip or Drown’ style contest hosted by DJ Lay Up, in which whoever was the most stylish participant wins a special prize.

For many of the attending students, shoes are not just an important part of completing an outfit, but sometimes make or break an outfit. Enthusiasts identify themselves as “sneakerheads” that collect sneakers as a hobby. For them, shoes are not just for practicality, but one of their main forms of self-expression.

“My shoes, they put together the whole outfit. Shoes help me match my clothes, I like color coordination,” says Ares Epps, a fifth-year majoring in Communication.

In recent years, the market price of Air Jordan’s go from as low as around $93 to $230 depending on the style and quality. Air Jordans can be seen being sported by people from all walks of life. Some of the higher end sneakers such as Kanye West’s

“Yeezy” footwear are more often bought for comfort and aesthetics than practicality and accessibility.

Sneaker culture became even more mainstreamed through partnerships and ambassadorships between high profile athletes and popular athleisure and footwear brands such as Nike, Reebok, and Adidas. Most notably, Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike not only popularized the brand itself, but also cemented Jordan’s influence in the footwear and athleisure industry. The first Air Jordan sneakers were publicly released in 1985, and has dropped a new pair every year since, even after his retirement from basketball. Other influential athletes with sneaker lines include Kobe Bryant, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, etc.

Brands like Champion and New Balance have had a stark rebrand in the past years due to demand for more “retro” and “Y2K” style sport shoes. Both brands initially being sold by Walmart retailers back in the mid 2000s and are now items of commodity, with sneaker prices averaging $200 for New Balances, and Champion being distributed by various sportswear retailers worldwide.

Sneakers have come a long way from being the old reliable sports shoe to now becoming luxury items that many people wouldn’t even dare get dirty. Students at the Sneaker Ball had a lot to say about the ever evolving culture.

“I feel like they’re trying to advertise the brand. If something seems popular, if something’s in style, everyone’s gonna want

it. So I guess it all depends if its’ in high demand or not,” says Epps.

“I definitely think capitalism has really taken a turn. I know a lot of shoes are pretty expensive and not very accessible. I know shoes like Air Force 1s and Converses didn’t use to cost that much, now I see the price going up all the time,” stated Harvin.

Popular brands like Yeezy’s often would put out very limited stock of shoes to increase demand. Hundreds of “sneakerheads” would wait outside of stores for hours, sometimes even overnight, just to get their hands on highly sought after shoes in limited quantities. The more demand, the higher the prices will go. Many so-called “resellers” take advantage of this consumer demand by buying highly anticipated sneakers in bulk and selling them for a much higher price, with some resellers profiting anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 dollars for some designer shoes.

“Obviously we want to appreciate its uniqueness and its style, but we live in America and everything is of high value. Everything is run by money,” commented Epps.

Harvin added, “You see shoes selling out before they barely hit the website and it's costing a lot. It's become truly a luxury item and also with different athletes, it’s definitely added to the culture of it all and kinda added to the desire for it. And you know, at least in America when things are wanted more, it becomes a little less accessible.”

The one thing that has stayed a constant is the flexibility of the sneaker to be worn comfortably in many settings, while still remaining stylish.

Sneaker culture is deeply rooted in Black Culture and its influence is not lost to the casual enjoyer. Not only were sneakers popularized by Black athletes, but the most influential brands were pioneered by them as well. The future of sneakers and luxury streetwear will continue to evolve, attracting enthusiasts and its roots in Black culture will never be lost in translation.

The Sneaker Ball was a great way to end Pan-Af Week as it brought Black students together to be treated with great food and music in a somewhat formal setting. The Sneaker Ball certainly highlighted the sneaker’s ability to look stylish with any outfit, street or formal, and our students’ ability to be bold and freely express themselves through fashion.

Kaela Belingon/Nubian Message Photo Editor

Students lining up for the outfit contest show off their sneakers at the Sneaker Ball in the Talley Ballroom on Saturday, April 8, 2023. The event, hosted by the Black Students Board, invited students to a ball wearing sneakers with their formal wear.

"I enjoyed getting to see the Artist Showcase hosted by the Black Artist Coalition. It was fun to look at the tabling artists and enjoy the different types of art performances. As a creative it really inspired me to see other creatives that looked like me, and gave me confidence to continue to promote myself and my art."

- abigail Harris, layout designer

"Pan-Af Week is important because it provides a space for Black creatives to show off their talents and creations, as shown through the Black Artist Coalitions’ showcase and the African American Textile Societies 25th Annual Fashion Exposé. It is important for marginalized voices to be uplifted and celebrated, and Pan-Af week does that effectively."

- micah oliphant, staff writer

"I enjoyed attending the Roll Bounce event. There was lots of fun music, yummy refreshments and roller skating. I enjoyed the 70’s disco-skating fashion and the retro-style decorations. Everyone had such a fun time and it was a great way to end the semester. It is important to create welcoming and safe environments for students to simply have fun, and BSB delivered."

- leila ganim, correspondent

"I love Pan-Af week! It always feels good to be celebrating our culture and community out in the open instead of in small spots on campus. I loved the Black Artist Collation’s artist showcase. It was refreshing seeing people who looked like me being put in the spotlight."

-

milan hall, editor-in-chief

"Pan-Af week is a great way for our schools’ Black students to be, and feel, celebrated. It is so much fun to see how Black culture has evolved and how the BSB team was able to put together a week-long celebration highlighting its different aspects and layers. It was a great choice to end the week with the Sneaker Ball and have everybody all done up for dinner, dancing and desserts. They even had a mocktail bar!"

- billie vicente, correspondent

"I enjoyed seeing the AATS Fashion Exposé in the Piedmont/Mountain Ballroom at Talley Student Union. Seeing the work the designers culminated over the school year was very satisfying, and it was wonderful to see that the two winners were both Black women!"

-

nadia hargett, staff writer

"Pan-Af Week is important because it helps provide a better sense of community. It creates a safe place for people of color, especially Black people, to meet, gather and interact with one another. It also helps expose people to experiences that they otherwise might not get to have. My favorite part of Pan-Af Week was the sense of joy within the sense of community, it was emphasized and visible throughout the various events."

- shaere delgiudice, Staff Writer

"I loved Pan-African week because it gave students an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the African Diaspora. Through collaborative events with other student organizations, Black Students Board provided a safe and exciting space for Black students! My favorite event was Roll Bounce because I love roller skating and the DJ was great."

- alianna kendall-brooks, social media manager

"Celebrating unity within diverse backgrounds, Pan-Af Week was a perfect distraction from the stress of school, incorporating art, music, fashion and open dialogue promoting self-expression to highlight individual and collective experiences. I began the week skating at Roll and Bounce, and concluded with an inspiring “That’s so STEM” roundtable discussion run by the National Society of Black Engineers."

- senait richmond, correspondent

"Pan-Af Week has become one of my favorite Spring traditions. Ringing in the warm weather with such electric programs reenergizes me. I love seeing how much students across the African diaspora come together to celebrate each other. The diaspora is filled with so much love, and I’m glad the diaspora celebrates that every year."

- isaac davis, layout designer

"One of the reasons why the spring semester is my favorite time of year is because of Pan-Af week. Every year, I enjoy seeing a community come together and enjoy the events that BSB and other organizations put on. I love watching people rep their cultures and take pride in where they come from. Pan-Af is the perfect way to decompress from the stresses of the semester."

- rebecca hernÁndez, correspondent

"Pan-Af Week was filled with fun events! This year’s Pan-Af was the first one I attended, and I’m so happy I had the opportunity to photograph the fashion exposé, drag ball, and the happy hours. The fashion exposé was my personal favorite, showcasing many talented designers and collections brought to life by the models."

-

our thoughts

kaela beligon, Nubian Message Photo Editor

across the diaspora

playlist by Nubian Message Staff

Some of our favorite songs by Black artists from across the for our PanAf issue.

Soweto Victony, tempoe

Brown Sugar d'angelo

anybody burna boy

Tez Alegn Yetintu admas

Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2 PinkPanthress, Ice Spice

B.U.R.N zhong feifei

Sere SPINALL, Fireboy DML

I Shot the Sheriff The Wailers

Sometimes Dancin’ Brownstone

angel shaggy, rayvon

Weye Weye Abdu Kiar, Melat Kelemework

Cherries Hope Tala, aminÉ

Sinnerman Nina Simone

quizÁs quizÁs quizÁs Celia Cruz

no letting go wayne wonder

graphic by abby harris

pan-af

top left: Sarah Cochran/ Staff Photographer

Ione Hawkins, a fourth-year studying History and Sociology, paints a cartoon sloth on a canvas during Hue n Tunes hosted by the Black Students Board in Talley Student Union on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

top right: Ony Otiocha/ Staff Photographer Enid Gonzalez, a third-year studying Business Administration, creates many bubbles at the Soul Social event held in Stafford Commons on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

bottom right: Ony Otiocha/ Staff Photographer

(From left) Ria Bakshi, a second-year studying Genetics, Amaya Beard, a second-year studying Human Biology and Isaac Ali, a second-year studying Biochemistry, laugh together at the Soul Social event held in Stafford Commons on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

bottom left: Kaela Belingon/Nubian Message Photo Editor Students stretch during the yoga session at the Soul Social event in Stafford Commons on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. The event, hosted by the Black Students Board, invited students to relax with a yoga session, crafting activities and dancing.

all day

top left: Ony Otiocha/ Staff Photographer Saxophonist D.Alex Thomas faces the audience as he plays his saxophone at the Black Artist Coalition's April Showcase held at Harris Field on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

top right: Sarah Cochran/ Staff Photographer DeIsaiah Hatten (middle), a first year student studying Criminal Justice at Wake Tech, serenades Tamela Hardy (right), a second-year student studying elementary education, and Anya Tadisina (right), a third-year student studying Psychology during Hue N' Tunes.

bottom right: Kaela Belingon/ Nubian Message Photo Editor Hailee Cox (left), a fourth-year studying Political Science and Spanish, and UAB Advisor Lateesha Watkins (right), participate in the Pan-Afrikan Week Amplifying Black Voices interview in Talley Student Union on April 3, 2023.

bottom left: Aleksandra Senyukova/ Staff Photographer Unique Patton, a fourth-year studying Design Studies, writes on a chalkboard at the Black Artist Coalition’s April Showcase at Harris Field on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

CSA & ASU Family Feud

Carmella holloway Correspondent

Pan-Afrikan Week is a week-long celebration of identities across the African diaspora. The week is significant for NC State’s Black community, acting as a time we can all celebrate and reflect upon the beauty of the Black community. Organized by the Black Students Board, Pan-Afrikan Week consists of events held by many Black organizations across campus.

On Tuesday, April 9th, the second night of Pan-Afrikan Week, the Caribbean Student Association (CSA) and African Student Union (ASU) held a Family Feud game event in Talley Student Union.

That night, Black people showed up and showed out. By the time the event was in full swing, the room had become packed, the snack line developing and tables filled with bustling conversation. Each table split into teams, picking interesting and unique names for their group. The host, donned a non-sticking fake mustache and a bald cap to mimic Steve Harvey, spearheaded the night’s festivities. His humor encouraged a lighthearted and good-natured environment all night as he cracked jokes and poked fun at the competing teams and their answers.

The event followed “Family Feud” rules. The host calls two teams to step to the podium. The first player on each team is to answer a question prompt. The team whose member responds with the highest-scoring answer is tasked with answering the remainder of the questions. The chosen team has three strikes to guess all the answers on the board. If the team fails to do so, the opposing team must guess a correct answer in one try. If they answer correctly, they receive all the points obtained throughout the round. If they answer incorrectly, the other team gets all the points. Whoever can guess the most “popular” answers decides the winner.

The questions of the night covered a great range of subjects including Caribbean music genres, famous songs and African cuisine. Alexis Grant, a second-year studying Material Science Engineering and President of the Caribbean Student Association, aided in creating the questions. She informed us where she found the inspiration for them “A few of them were pulled from the actual Family Feud,” referencing the decades-running television show “Family Feud” further adding, “and…we wanted to do stuff related to our cultures…”

The questions invigorated conversation among the attendees. Lighthearted debates

on the correct pronunciation of plantain, among others, broke out throughout the night. “I feel like the questions incorporated all cultures…” reflects Ire Debayo-Doherty, a first-year Engineering student. Ire continues to say that the event “...really brought the community together, and I got to meet some cool people.”

Although fun and creative, the questions were tough, testing each team’s range of knowledge.

In the first round, both teams struck out, helping guide the following teams to success. While some were able to sweep the floor with their responses, others struggled when asked unexpected questions.

Gradually, teams gained or lost points, leaving the top two teams to compete in one last round where the winner takes all. The decisive question asked for the players to name five famous fairy tales. The first team began, naming a few stories but, unfortunately, only landing a few correct answers before striking out. The second team, ironically named “Team” took the right response, securing themselves as winners for the night.

Faduma Sosman, a second-year Biomedical Engineering student, was one of the victors, taking home the title of this year’s Family Feud winner. She tells us that, as someone who is Somali, she was ready to answer most of the questions. Overall, she tells us that “I liked the event; it was fun.”

Altogether, Tuesday’s Family Feud event was a fun and positive experience. Though it had its technical difficulties, that didn’t stop the energy and laughter from filling the air. It acted as a comfortable environment for conversation and communion with fellow Black students.

Adachi Amaram, a second-year Political Science major and president of ASU, spoke about her feelings regarding hosting the event, “I love helping to facilitate and see the black joy that we were able to bring about in this space.” She reflects, “seeing the smiling faces, just seeing people being appreciative of the culture and learning something new today, and that was really refreshing to see.”

For those who may have missed the event, Amaram says that ASU is currently in the talks of holding a much larger game show event next semester. This event will be a collaboration with a larger number of organizations and may be in a different format than that night’s event.

Seeing the quality of the Family Feud event, one can anticipate another exciting game night from ASU.

How to survive in America

One, lose your accent. Go home everyday and look in the mirror and learn to pronounce each word their way. Learn to say water (America) instead of water (Nigeria)

Two, when they ask if you speak African. Laugh it off and act like it doesn’t bother you.

Three, when the same people who now claim your continent bully you from being from that continent.

Don’t cry. Just ignore it. That’s just how it be.

Four, when you go to school remember to leave your Nigeria self home, cause with her you’ll never achieve anything in America.

Five, when people tell you to go back to your country.

Tell them their country destroyed it. Tell them their country is the reason why your country only got it’s independence sixty years ago.

Six, when your mum finds you crying in the middle of night. Lie to her. Don’t let mummy know all her hard work wasn’t worth it.

This is how you survive in a country that is not yours.

-Jeanine Ikekhua

the soul social

Rebecca hernÁndez Correspondent

On Wednesday April 5, during NC State’s 51st Pan-Afrikan week, NCSU’s Black Student Board (BSB) held The Soul Social featuring bubbles, vision boards, yoga, plants and much more. With the best of the 2000s blasting, students lined up at the food trucks and with smiles everywhere, The Soul Social was a hit giving students a chance to unwind and destress on a hot Wednesday evening.

Attendees were given a wide array of activities to unwind– relaxing yoga, herb planting, embroidery, vision board making and creating home-made beauty remedies. The yoga, led by professionals in a more recluse area of the event to foster a quiet soothing environment. The at home beauty bar had a plethora of different scents and oils for DIY lip scrubs and hair oils.

Nubian Message spoke with an attendee of the event, speaking with Emily Jackson a second-year student majoring in Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Nubian Message also had the chance to speak with Mya Williams, a second-year majoring in Psychology who was the coordinator and one of the facilitators of the event.

Nubian Message: Do you think NC State should implement more events like this throughout the year?

Emily Jackson: Absolutely. I really like going to events like this but often I miss out on them if I have class, club meetings or work, so having more events would give me and other students more opportunities to actually participate in events like this.

Mya Williams: I think we’re doing a better job of having more wellness events here at NC State. I will say that we should keep pushing for more to make sure our whole community here at State is being catered to.

NM: Are there any activities here that you will implement in your routine? Are there any that you already do? If so , which ones?

EJ: I would really like to do yoga more often. I can’t always make it to the classes over in Carmichael but when I do I really enjoy it.

NM: What can NC State do to better

your mental and physical health\help you manage your self care?

EJ: I really wish it was easier to get in contact with the counseling center. Other students and myself usually have classes throughout the day and may not have time to call within its open hours. I also don’t like that you have to call the counseling center to get more information on any of their services. Calling can be pretty intimidating and anxiety-inducing, and that, along with not having much time to call during their open hours, has stopped me from getting in touch with the counseling center.

MW: I think NC State is doing a better job, but pushing to make its resources more visible and accessible. A lot of times people aren’t aware of all of the resources they have at their fingertips, because they’re not talked about until it’s too late. I also think having professors/campus staff on the same page as the university.

nm: What are some traditions or things that y’all have done in the past that you all brought into this year's Pan-Af week?

Mw: With events this year, I feel like we paralleled a lot of our events. By this I mean for the Black Xperience Festival last year we had Soul Social which we crafted to fit this year’s theme, they were both outdoor events with activities and food trucks. Same for Sneaker Ball and Shades of Melanin Brunch. A catered event, with performances and a formal theme.

NM: What are some new things y’all are bringing to this year's Pan-Af week?

MW: For this year’s Pan-Af I think we wanted to formulate events that catered to our whole Black diaspora on campus.

NM: What are some things y’all hope to incorporate for future pan-af?

MW: I would be excited to possibly see a concert in BSB’s future.

The Soul Social, like many of Pan-Af’s other events, was a huge success. It was a great chance to enjoy the beautiful weather and get a break from the stresses of the semester.

NSBE: That's So Stem

On April 7th, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) hosted "That's so STEM," a roundtable discussion welcoming conversations regarding the obstacles and successes of pursuing a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in predominantly white settings.

Senait Richmond Correspondent

Nehemiah MacDonald, NSBE’s Vice President who’s a fourth-year majoring in Industrial Engineering, guided the discussion with Process Improvement (P.I) Chair Alvin Mutongi, a third-year majoring in Civil Engineering. They led the discussion by first initiating introductions and establishing respectful ground rules. Mutongi introduced the phrase, "make space and take space," to emphasize collaboration and inclusivity.

As more individuals joined, the table expanded and warmly welcomed new participants. The discussion facilitators were Nate Browning, Elizabeth Park and Dr. Veronica Mbaneme, all of whom are NSBE and NC State alumni.

NSBE provides NC State’s Black STEM students with community and support. Founded by the Chicago Six in 1975, the mission of NSBE remains to “increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."

NSBE’s objective is to challenge the preconceived archetypes of scientists, engineers and mathematicians. NSBE provides Black students with community, a sense of belonging, and the resources to continue in their chosen career path.

To help the transition, NSBE offers a Pre-College Initiative Program and scholarships aimed towards financing first-generation students. For career building, NSBE offers mentorship programs, career training for skill development and professional clothing. Through career fairs, students are able to gain a better understanding of what is needed to succeed in their desired field.

After “That's so STEM,” Nubian Message had an opportunity to interview Dr.

Veronica Mbaneme and Mutongi.

Mutongi expressed, “I chose Civil Engineering because I want to work on delivering clean water to people in the developing world.”

When questioned about what drives him during challenging periods, he reveals, “I am motivated by my peers and their success in their respective fields.” NSBE became a family for him and for several upperclassman students, and the connections they’re ensured beyond graduation.

When asked about NSBE’s positive impact on students Dr. Mbaneme highlights how the program “fosters relationships and gives access to professional networks,” as well as “provides a brave space for students to show up as their authentic selves.”

Nubian Message asked how NSBE has been a support system for their students.

Mbaneme said that being surrounded by white spaces creates a “lack of intersecting identities.” She discussed her personal story and the to continuously provide context when “explaining transgressions.” NSBE aims to be a space where Black individuals are understood by a community who shares lived experiences.

Mbaneme found herself being the only Black girl, if not the only Black person, in the room. She stated, "While I excelled academically, what I lacked was a sense of community."

Dr. Mbaneme, experience with a lack of resources, has driven to be involved in initiatives that aid the forthcoming generations.

Dr. Mbaneme said it is "refreshing" that several young Black students have at least one role model in their field.

The significance of advocating for diversity and inclusivity extends beyond any particular discipline. NSBE is committed to making a considerable contribution towards representation and inclusivity in STEM fields, while simultaneously encouraging Black excellence.