The Red & Black | February 2, 2023

A2 IN MEMORIAM A5 DIVERSE IDENTITIES B3 LIFE PARTNERS

Christel Vivor and Lauryn Sanders. PHOTO: KATIE TUCKER/STAFF

OBITUARY

Devin Willock leaves kindhearted legacy

Ireland Hayes

This January, fans gathered in Athens to celebrate the Bulldogs’ with a parade and ceremony commemorating the record-breaking year. Devin Willock and his teammates were paraded down Lumpkin Street as onlookers cheered and thanked them for bringing home another championship win.

But hours after the celebration, a fatal car crash involving another offensive lineman and two Georgia football staff members took Willock’s life in the early morning accident on Jan. 15. He was 20 years old. Football recruitment staff member Chandler LeCroy, 24, also died in the crash.

Willock was an offensive lineman for the Georgia Bulldogs, and his large stature and athletic talent made him a valuable asset to the team, playing in all 15 games of the Bulldogs’ undefeated 2022 season.

To those who knew him, however, Devin Willock was more than just an athlete.

He was a man with an amazing personality, ambition and a willingness to help others, according to his girlfriend of more than two and a half years, Kate Moseley.

“I just want people to know he was more than a football player,” Moseley said. “He was genuinely a great guy and the best guy I’ve ever met, and there are so few people like him … and yes, he was super athletically talented and a huge guy, but he really was like a teddy bear.”

Moseley said Willock was ambitious and completely financially independent, which he was very proud of. Moseley said Willock had many goals for his future.

Willock was an artist, with sketchbooks filled with original drawings. He was minoring in landscape studies, and Moseley said the only reason he did not major in the discipline was because the required labs conflicted with afternoon practices.

He planned to return to school and pursue a degree in architecture. Moseley said Willock had goals beyond an NFL career.

“A lot of people don’t know that, but he was amazing artistically,” Mosely said. “He just had a very creative eye.”

Willock’s football schedule didn’t allow for big outings, but deep conversations over all-you-can-eat sushi are some of Moseley’s fondest memories.

Willock’s kindness was present on the football field as well, always there to encourage his teammates and lift spirits. Ryland Goede, a former tight end on the Georgia football team, met Willock at a fall football camp in 2020. Goede said that as a tight end, he spent a lot of time with the offensive linemen because they practiced blocking together, and he and Willock became good friends. Goede said Willock was always there to make his teammates smile when they needed it most.

“If we were having a bad day, you intentionally walked by Devin’s locker so that he could say hey to you, because he just, he brought such an energetic attitude and positive mindset to everything,” Goede said. “He cared about people more than anything else, and that was what made him click, it was making people happy. And he did it on a daily basis.”

Willock started his career at UGA as a member of the scout team. The New Jersey native traveled alone on a Greyhound bus on two separate occasions to train with the team. It was during those visits that Willock fell in love with Georgia.

After the Bulldogs won their second consecutive national championship title, Goede remembers turning around and seeing Willock with Andrew Smart, Coach Kirby Smart’s son, perched high up on his shoulders, smiling and excited.

Kirby Smart shared a statement on Twitter following the deaths of Willock and LeCroy. “Devin was an outstanding man in every way and was always smiling,” Smart wrote in the statement.

A sentiment shared by Moseley, Goede and many others that knew Willock, is a hope of honoring his legacy by living a little more like him.

“Devin would want us to smile about the dumb stuff, laugh and not take each other so seriously,” Moseley said. “I just hope that we all try and appreciate life, realize the blessings we do have and try and enjoy them in the moment.”

Maddie Brechtel

The success of the University of Georgia’s football program has dominated college football conversations for the last two years. However, what happens behind the scenes is what made this victory possible.

Chandler LeCroy worked to build and support Georgia’s football team as a member of the recruiting staff, and is remembered by players, colleagues, and friends as having a warm persona with an unwavering passion and commitment to UGA football.

However, just hours after LeCroy celebrated the Bulldog’s second consecutive national championship win, she died in a car accident on Jan. 15.

The crash also resulted in the death of UGA football player Devin Willock, and the injuries of player Warren McClendon and recruiting staff member Victoria Bowles.

The circumstances surrounding LeCroy’s tragic death have put her on a national stage and surrounded her memory with speculation. However, those who knew her remember LeCroy for the beauty of her life instead of the devastation of her death.

A Toccoa, Georgia native, LeCroy found joy in spending time with friends, being active in her church and traveling, said her roommate and childhood friend Reagan Walters. In high school, she was active in cheerleading and continued to be involved in the program after her graduation, even scheduling her visits back home to coincide with her sister’s cheer competitions, Walters said.

Walters said LeCroy was like family, as their mothers had been best friends since the second grade and they had been around each other from birth. They had the same friend group, attended the same church and did a lot together.

“She was the type of friend that no matter how much time went apart, she could just pick back up where you left off,” Walters said.

LeCroy attended the University of Georgia while Walters went to East Carolina University. LeCroy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a masters degree in sports management and policy through the Double Dawg program, Walters said. She was eventually hired as a recruiting analyst for the UGA Athletic Department. Walters later moved to Athens and reached out to LeCroy when she needed a roommate. They had been roommates for two years.

In Athens, LeCroy attended Athens Church, Walters said. But most of her time outside of church and time with friends was spent at a program she had a strong dedication to — UGA football.

“Georgia football was her number one passion,” Walters said. “That recruiting office was her first home and our apartment was her second home because she spent more time there than she did here.”

Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart paid tribute to LeCroy and Willock in a statement posted on Twitter on Jan. 15.

“Chandler was a valuable member of our football staff and brought an incredible attitude and energy every single day,” Smart wrote in the statement.

In a follow-up post on the same day, Smart posted a photo that included LeCroy and said he “will always remember [LeCroy] for [her] kind heart.”

Walters said her favorite memories with LeCroy are a trip last May to the Dominican Republic, which she planned entirely for her friends, and the time they had as roommates in Athens.

“She was basically just the one person that you could never get sick of,” Walters said. “When she was there, we made sure to make the best memories, we had the best laugh together. And she was just all around a great person and someone you would want in your corner for your entire life.”

LeCroy is survived by her parents, brother and sisters. A funeral service was held on Jan. 18 at the First Baptist Church in Toccoa, according to the Acree-Davis Funeral Home and Obituary.

Devin Willock and his girlfriend, Kate Moseley. COURTESY/KATE MOSELEY

Devin Willock smiling. COURTESY/UGA ATHLETICS

Chandler LeCroy near the Arch. COURTESY/LECROY FAMILY

Exquisite and excelling

Alpha Kappa Alpha celebrates 50 years at UGA

Allison Mawn

Six granite pillars stand in the heart of the University of Georgia’s campus. Emblazoned on their fronts are the crests of sororities and fraternities — members of the Divine Nine, as they have come to be known.

In a space where Black individuals have not always been respected, much less celebrated, these monuments stand resolutely, just like the tenacious students who created spaces where they could feel safe and understood over the past 62 years.

Since UGA’s integration in 1961, Black students have fought to make spaces for themselves on campus and in the community. Today, one of the most prominent spaces on campus for celebrating Black identities is in a sorority.

This year, the Eta Xi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is celebrating its 50th year of striving for excellence in service, sisterhood and scholarship at UGA.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was founded Jan. 15, 1908 at Howard University, a historically Black university. It is the “oldest Greek-letter Organization founded by African American college-educated women,” according to the group’s official website.

On Jan. 13, 1973, 14 women founded the Exquisite Eta Xi chapter at UGA. Those women were Yvonne Anderson Gaither, Barbara Ann Brown Banks, Brucie Delories Brown, Edna Mae Davis Butts, Natalia Elizabeth Dicks, Sylvia Cassandra Evans Woodruff, Gail Delores Sinkfield Johnson, Andrea Thompkins Jordan, Armi Gene Louis, Jackie Mobley, Connie Lajune Sagers Williamson, Sandra Burdette Stephens Farley, Patricia Thornton Binion and Lizzie Bell Williams Farley.

“Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is not only just a sorority, it’s literally a movement,” Christel Vivor, junior Management Information Systems major and chapter membership chair and historian, said.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, also known as the Divine Nine. NPHC focuses on fostering “brotherhood and sisterhood in the pursuit to bring about social change” and creating spaces for Black college students, according to their website. Having these communities can help Black students not feel isolated and allow them to find a home on campus, according to Sanders.

“To me, it just means having a home base of people that you can relate to because of their ambition and their passion for serving others,” Sanders said.

Although it was built upon a legacy of trailblazing women, the sorority’s path has not always been an easy one.

UGA is a primarily white institution, or PWI. Groups like the NPHC seek to help students of color find a sense of belonging on campus, since they may not always feel represented in other areas

From its humble but powerful beginnings, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has grown into an international organization with more than 355,000 initiated members across the country and the world, with nearly 115,000 being active members. Recently, the organization has received increased recognition due to one of its members, Kamala Harris, rising to the office of Vice President of the United States.

On a more local level, many UGA students will recognize the name of another member — Mary Frances Early. She is not a member of the Eta Xi chapter, but has interacted with them during and since her time at UGA. Early became a member of the Alpha Pi chapter while she was an undergraduate at Clark Atlanta University.

According to their website, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has five tenets that originated at the sorority’s inception: to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life and to be of service to all mankind.

Like other sororities, service and sisterhood are fundamental pillars of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The Eta Xi chapter works to build relationships with organizations in the community that they serve, Sanders said.

back the nostalgia of elementary school field day games.

The Eta Xi chapter prioritizes sisterhood through sisterly relations activities, which Sanders described as time set aside specifically “to interact with one another on an intentional level.” But sisterhood goes beyond that for chapter members. They consistently show up to support each other in activities beyond the sorority, which Sanders said helps establish community.

Stepping is a significant part of how the Eta Xi chapter lives out their sisterhood and is a major component of the entire NPHC community. Sanders described it as “a rhythmic way of telling a story.” Steppers move in sync and use their bodies to create sound.

FAMOUS ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA MEMBERS:

X Mary Frances Early; first African American to graduate from UGA, namesake of College of Education

X Kamala Harris; first Black and first female Vice President of the United States of America, formerly U.S. senator from California

X Wanda Sykes; comedian and actress

X Toni Morrison; critically acclaimed novelist

X Althea Gibson; tennis player, first African American to win a Grand Slam title

The Eta Xi chapter uses stepping as a through-line to connect with their history, passing their skills and stories down from one generation to the next. Different stepping shows have different themes, allowing the Eta Xi chapter to add parts of their history to the story with each performance. Stepping is also another show of the chapter’s dedication to excellence; they have a history of winning for step teams.

The Eta Xi chapter currently has 25 members. They use the title “Exquisite” to hold themselves to the standard of greatness that has been passed down through their legacy, according to junior marketing and international business major and chapter president Lauryn Sanders.

“By saying that, it requires us to hold ourselves to a certain level of excellence. And that means commitment in the classroom, continually increasing our grades every semester, because those do impact the amount of programming we’re able to do on campus and the times that we do them,” Sanders said.

Sororities have more than 100 years of history at UGA and have become a ubiquitous part of campus life. The Eta Xi chapter has a relatively short history compared to some other chapters around campus. Sanders noted that, since desegregation didn’t occur at UGA until 1961, they “had some catching up to do.”

Despite the shorter history and smaller population, the chapter has made strides to establish itself as a force to be reckoned with through its impact on the community.

The international administration has six initiatives under the theme “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood.” These initiatives are the focus of Skee Week, the Eta Xi chapter’s signature programming week. Skee Week, which took place from Jan. 16-20 this year, includes five programs dedicated to educating attendees on topics they might not be learning in the classroom.

This year’s Skee Week included serving at the Joy Village School, a private K-8 school focusing on uplifting Black youth and whose curriculum is based in Black history. Members cleaned facilities and organized library books. The week also contained an entrepreneurship panel, a sustainability workshop with University Housing, creating dog toys for the Athens Area Humane Society and a conversation on mental health and battling imposter syndrome.

Pink Ice Ball and Old Skool Field Day are two signature annual events of the Eta Xi chapter. Proceeds from these events go toward local organizations that align with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s values, according to Sanders. Pink Ice Ball is a chance for members to dress up and embrace their beauty, while Old Skool Field Day brings

In 2022, the Eta Xi chapter received awards for Academic Achievement, Outstanding Health & Wellness Programming, Outstanding Service and National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapter of the Year at UGA’s Greek Life Awards, according to its website. Sanders said these awards reflect the effort the chapter makes toward excelling in academics and service, which is part of what the chapter is celebrating during their 50th anniversary.

Recently, the chapter celebrated its anniversary with a Charter Day social. Yvonne Anderson Gaither, one of the original Eta Xi chapter members, attended, showing that the connection between alumni and current undergraduate members is still strong.

Becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is a lifelong commitment. The sisterhood lasts beyond graduation and across chapters.

“I would say I didn’t really know the true value of sisterhood before coming to college,” Vivor said. “Joining Eta Xi, I’ve met some of my future bridesmaids.”

As graduate advisor, Anissa Johnson helps mentor new members and instill the pillar of sisterhood, service and scholarship as lifelong principles.

“We want to make sure that our principles and our foundation, our founding principles, are lasting beyond us and we want to pass those on to generations beyond us,” Johnson said.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is not only just a sorority, it’s literally a movement.

Christel Vivor| Eta Xi chapter membership chair and historian

The Eta Xi chapter poses with fellow Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated member Mary Frances Early in fall 2018. COURTESY/CHRISTEL VIVOR KATIE TUCKER/STAFF

The Eta Xi chapter currently has 25 members from the fall 2020 and fall 2021 lines. COURTESY/CHRISTEL VIVOR

Eta Xi was founded in 1973. COURTESY/CHRISTEL VIVOR

The

‘Divine

Nine’

Members of National Pan-Hellenic Council share experiences

During the early 20th century, some students at historically Black colleges and universities established nine Greek life organizations. These sororities and fraternities make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council, or the “Divine Nine.” While each organization has unique values, members share the common goal of uplifting the Black community.

The University of Georgia currently is home to six chapters of the NPHC, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

The NPHC promotes the development of its members through various service projects, educational seminars and social activities. Its primary purpose continues to be community awareness and action. Many prominent alums have been a part of the NPHC, such as Dr. Hamilton Holmes, Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Mary Frances Early.

In 1969, Alpha Phi Alpha became the first member of the NPHC to establish a chapter at UGA. Over 50 years later, UGA commemorated all nine chapters of the NPHC with markers on the West Lawn of the Tate Student Center. On Jan. 13, members of Delta Sigma Theta celebrated their 110th national founding at Howard University.

The Red & Black asked members of NPHC sororities and fraternities about their experiences in the organizations and what they wished other students understood about NPHC. — Interviews and photographs by Carson Barrett

Siham Ahmed

Senior Major: Health promotion

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

“Joining Sigma Gamma Rho showed me that I could have a sisterhood here, and we’re just so unique and different. However, we all add our differences together and create something beautiful.”

Benn-Alpha Eno Junior

Major: Computer science Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

“NPHC organizations are lifetime commitments, so do your research [and] talk to each of our members because we all committed for a reason.”

Rankin Odister Sophomore

Major: Data science Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. “My fraternity means a brotherhood, a scholarship, people striving for excellence … An Omega [Psi Phi] man is someone who strives for excellence, is a brother’s keeper, someone who is constantly raising the bar.”

Power of the printed page

The

Gabrielle Gruszynski

This semester, I decided to sign up for two literature classes at the University of Georgia: Honors Introduction to Creative Writing and American Literature from 1914 to the Present.

With that being said, I now have a stack of 13 unopened paperback books, looming over my desk. For some readers, being required to read these books may seem both daunting and nauseating. For English and journalism majors such as myself, those 13 books are equivocal to pure heaven.

Needless to say, I have always been an ardent reader. From a young age, I remember sitting on the edge of my rose-quilted bed with my mom. As I’d rub my fingers along the stitching, she’d read me stories of faroff Greek and Egyptian myths, mysteries of Nancy Drew and the comical plights of Amelia Bedelia.

I developed a fascination with reading as I aged. The thick paper, the aged scent, the worn-out spines, everything about throwing yourself into a book is intoxicating. Calling myself an advocate for reading physical copies would be an understatement.

Yet, being in the age of technology, there seems to be an increasing amount of readers opting for e-books or audiobooks. True, these book formats are more cost-efficient, environmentally-friendly and accessible to busy readers. However, I still find the lack of interest in physical books disheartening.

In my advocacy for physical books, I tend to shop frequently at local bookstores in Athens. Avid Bookshop, located in the heart of Five Points, seems to be a favorite store among fervent Athens readers.

Being an obvious proponent of the physical book, Avid’s mission is to remain both a “fiercely independent bookstore” and “a work in progress.” I wanted to investigate not only Avid itself but also the potential benefits of reading physical books.

“The [Avid] brick and mortar was founded by Janet Geddis in 2011, but she worked for years, probably five years before that to get it open,” said Rachel Watkins, operations and events director at Avid. “Finally, it was able to open in October of 2011. It was always a general-interest bookstore that would hold events, have book clubs [and] story hour for children.”

Avid re-located in 2015 to 1662 Lumpkin Street, right in between The Local 706 and Condor Chocolates. Indeed, this expansion has made them closer to UGA and a community always hungry to learn more.With this in mind, Avid curates book sections tailored toward its community. Watkins claims that these sections are “always evolving,” pending the current trends in reading.

Sections such as fiction, mind, body and spirit, art and literature, young adult, biography and memoir and history and current events are just some of the many genres that Avid currently offers.

“Everything on the shelves is there for a reason,” said Watkins. “We don’t always get the latest and the greatest that’s going to

Reading list

Recommendations from Avid

Bookshop’s Rachel Watkins

A Little Devil in America

Hanif Abdurraqib

A nonfiction narrative that focuses on the lives of famous Black performers/ entertainers.

Illustrated Black History George McCalman

A coffee table book collection of 145 original portraits and descriptions that celebrate Black pioneers.

My Monticello

Jocelyn Nicole Johnson Johnson’s debut fiction piece contains five short stories and one novella describing the hallmarks of the Black experience.

The Secret Lives of Church

Ladies Deesha Philyaw Another fiction piece containing a collection of short stories about salacious Southern gossip and the Black Southern Baptist community.

Anaya Mark Junior Majors: Communication sciences and disorders, Spanish Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. “As people who are creating more spaces for those who are not represented before us, we are never going to tell you that you cannot be a part of [the NPHC].”

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be on the book magazine covers, but sometimes we do. We have watched to see what sections sell really well.”

Print books seem to have a feel that most readers love. You can hold the book, turn the pages and physically feel the paper. There’s something really special about that.

Beyond aesthetics, there are many benefits to reading physical books, such as memory retention and information absorption. Readers of print books usually remember more of a book’s plot than readers of e-books do. Readers of physical books also scored higher on their immersion into the book and overall understanding in an earlier study.

Beyond this, the potential distractions from reading are eliminated with a physical book. Links, scrolling, social media and advertisements all draw away from reading e-books because they limit the reader’s focus. However, with the absence of this in a print book, readers are more likely to remember and retain what they have read. This is especially true with younger readers who are experienced with electronics.

Of course, there are arguments made for the e-book as well. E-books usually cost less than print books do. But, despite the price gap, print books allow for an entire experience — one that cannot completely be replaced when opting for e-books.

E-books may also be better for our environment but probably not to the extent that you would think.

“If you are reading books on an e-reader, you’re consuming less paper,” said Watkins. “However, devices [that] books are read on are hard to be recycled or [cannot be] at all. You [can] recycle a book.”

The print book versus e-book debate is ongoing and futile amongst devoted readers. Print books amplify the joy of reading, in their scent, their feel and most importantly, in the experiences you learn from them. As Watkins puts it, “reading books can change one person, one family, one classroom or one community. It’s a privilege to be able to put books in the hands of readers.”

Editor’s note: Gabrielle Gruszynski is a freshman majoring in English and journalism.

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Afrolatinas reflexionan sobre el Mes de la Historia Negra

“No sabía que era negra hasta que vine a este país”, dijo Malena Mitchell, exalumna afrolatina de la Universidad de Georgia, miembra de la hermandad Delta Sigma Theta e inmigrante de Colombia.

Mitchell se mudó a los Estados Unidos con su familia cuando tenía 11 años. Aunque nació en Panamá, ella reclama a Colombia como su hogar. Allí, la identidad racial es tratada de manera diferente que en los Estados Unidos, una realidad que pronto se vio obligada a enfrentar.

“Al crecer, no creo que me llamara negra o latina. Todos éramos colombianos”, dijo Mitchell. “Pero una vez que vine aquí, me di cuenta, ‘Ah, soy negra’”.

La raza a menudo se clasifica en formularios y documentos como categorías distintas, encapsuladas sucintamente en cuadros ordenados. Pero para los estudiantes afrolatinos, con herencia tanto africana como latina, el tema de la identidad no es tan sencillo.

“Estoy caminando sobre cáscaras de huevo cuando se trata de mi identidad racial”, dijo Alani Rojas, estudiante de primer año de psicología involucrada en la Asociación de Estudiantes Hispanos de UGA. “Muchas personas piensan que soy negra cuando me ven por primera vez. No sé si debería tomar eso. No sé si puedo tomarlo como algo mío”.

Hannah Maldonado-Matos, estudiante de primer año de ciencias políticas y miembra de la Asociación de Estudiantes Hispanos, también ha experimentado identidades conflictivas.

“Cuando era más joven, me sentía muy fuera de lugar porque [pensaría] que no soy lo suficientemente blanca para los blancos, no soy lo suficientemente negra para los negros”, dijo Maldonado-Matos. “A veces te hace cuestionar tu propia identidad… porque estás tan concentrado en lo que los demás piensan de ti”.

Racheal Fulford, una candidata de Ph.D. en UGA que enseña Introducción a la Literatura y Culturas Latinx, aborda específicamente la subrepresentación de las experiencias afrolatinx en su clase. Fulford usa el mes de febrero como una oportunidad para pasar una lupa sobre la identidad y cultura afrolatina.

“No siento que en general durante el Mes de la Historia Negra hablemos sobre los diferentes componentes de la negritud en los Estados Unidos”, dijo Fulford. “Incluso en mi campo, muchas veces hay una desconexión entre la negritud y los latinos, y muchos de mis estudiantes llegan sin darse cuenta de que muchos latinos también son negros”.

Los estudiantes afrolatinos tienen diferentes puntos de vista sobre cómo participar en las celebraciones del Mes de la Historia Negra.

“Siento que la gente necesita estar abierta a la idea de que puedes ser tantas cosas y lucir tan diferente”, dijo Maldonado-Matos. “¿Por qué no estamos celebrando a los afrolatinos? ¿Por qué no hacemos saber que los afrolatinos también son negros?”

Otros sienten que el Mes de la Historia Negra tiene un propósito diferente.

“¿Creo que [la cultura afrolatina] necesita tener un papel más importante? No realmente”, dijo Mitchell. “Diría que no, porque para mí, lo que celebra el Mes de la Historia Negra es la historia de los negros estadounidenses. [El] movimiento de derechos civiles, inventores negros, todo negro, pero de Estados Unidos”.

Para los estudiantes afrolatinos, durante febrero y durante todo el año, la identidad racial es tanto una combinación de herencias como una experiencia totalmente única, mucho más compleja que una simple casilla marcada.

“Creo que, especialmente las personas que no son afrolatinas o de raza mixta, nunca entenderán realmente la lucha de sentirse en el medio y no saber realmente a dónde perteneces. Pero debes estar abierto a la idea de entender”, dijo Maldonado-Matos.

— Traducido por Ana Chirinos

Afro-Latinas reflect on Black History

Month

“I didn’t know I was Black until I came to this country,” said Malena Mitchell, an Afro-Latina University of Georgia alumni, member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and immigrant from Colombia. Mitchell moved to the United States with her family when she was 11 years old. Though she was born in Panama, she claims Colombia as her home. There, racial identity is treated differently than in the United States, a reality she was soon forced to face.

“Growing up, I don’t think I called myself Black or Latina. We were just all Colombians,” Mitchell said. “But once I came here, I realized, ‘Oh, I’m Black.’”

Race is often categorized on forms and documents as distinct categories, succinctly encapsulated in neat boxes. But for Afro-Latino students, with both African and Latino heritage, the topic of identity is not as cut-and-dry.

“I walk on eggshells when it comes to my racial identity,” said Alani Rojas, a freshman psychology major involved in UGA’s Hispanic Student Association. “So many people think that I’m Black when they first see me. I don’t know if I should take that. I don’t know if I can take it as my own thing.”

Hannah Maldonado-Matos, a freshman political science major and member of the Hispanic Student Association, has also experienced conflicting identities.

“When I was younger, I felt very out of place because [I’d think] I’m not white enough for the white people, I’m not Black enough for the Black people,” Maldonado-Matos said. “It kind of makes you question your own identity at times … because you’re so focused on what everyone else thinks of you.”

Racheal Fulford, a Ph.D. candidate at UGA who teaches Introduction to Latinx Literature and Cultures, specifically addresses the underrepresentation of Afro-Latinx experiences in her class. Fulford uses the month of February as an opportunity to pass a magnifying glass over Afro-Latino identity and culture.

“I don’t feel like as a whole during Black History Month we talk about different components of Blackness in the United States,” Fulford said. “Even in my field, a lot of times there’s a disconnect between Blackness and Latinos, and a lot of my students come in not realizing that many Latinos are also Black.”

Afro-Latino students have varying viewpoints on how to participate in Black History Month celebrations.

“I feel like people need to be open to the idea that you can be so many things and look so different,” Maldonado-Matos said. “Why are we not celebrating Afro-Latinos? Why are we not making it known that Afro-Latinos are also Black?”

Others feel Black History Month has a different purpose.

“Do I think that [Afro-Latino culture] needs to have a bigger role? Not really,” Mitchell said. “I would say no, because to me, what Black History Month celebrates is American Black history. [The] civil rights movement, Black inventors, everything Black, but from America.” For Afro-Latino students, during February and year-round, racial identity is both a combination of heritages and an entirely unique experience, much more complex than a simple checked box.

“I think that especially people that are not Afro-Latino or mixed race, they’ll never really understand the struggle of feeling in between and not really knowing where you belong. But you should be open to the idea of understanding,” Maldonado-Matos said.

— Article by Felix Scheyer

(D-I) Alani Rojas, Hannah Maldonado-Matos y Malena Mitchell son todas mujeres afrolatinas. CORTESÍA/ALANI ROJAS, BPI PHOTOGRAPHY, MALENA MITCHELL (D-I)

From JUCO to Georgia

Terry Roberts and Kario Oquendo reunited in Athens

Samuel Higgs

The dynamic displayed in Georgia’s backcourt between senior transfer Terry Roberts and junior Kario Oquendo has been evident this basketball season — a chemistry that could be due to the unique history that these players share.

“There’s some chemistry there, those guys,” head coach Mike White said. “Terry will bark at you and Kario’s a little bit more of a reserved guy. I think that Terry’s been good for him, but I’m sure in ways that I’m not even aware of, Kario’s been good for Terry’s transition as well.”

Roberts and Oquendo are the scoring leaders for the Bulldogs so far this season. Roberts is currently ranked as one of the top scorers in the SEC.

However, the two guards’ relationship goes much deeper than what we have seen from them in red and black.

Their paths crossed during their time at the junior college, Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Florida, during the 2020-2021 basketball season. The guard duo showed out in their first season together, which culminated in both players being named to the First Team All-Conference

Kylie Sharpe

team in 2021.

The Buccaneers finished that season with an 18-5 record. They would lose against Indian River College in the semifinals of the Florida College System Activities Association Tournament. The two also propelled the team to the No. 1 ranking in JUCO basketball at one point.

Oquendo and Roberts both left the program during the offseason. Oquendo received an offer from the University of Georgia, which was coached by Tom Crean at the time. Roberts was offered a chance at Bradley University.

The two played the following 2021 season at their respective universities while continuing their production on the court. Oquendo became Georgia’s best offensive threat as he went on to average the most points per game for the team.

Roberts led Bradley in points and was named the 2021-2022 Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Year. He also made the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team, becoming the fourth player in Bradley’s history to come away with the honor in their first year.

After a successful season away from each other, both Oquendo and Roberts announced that they would enter their names

teammates.

Georgia gymnast JaFree Scott has already made her name known in the world of gymnastics and is looking to make an impact in her collegiate career with the Bulldogs. Scott, a native of Independence, Missouri, grew up a competitive gymnast. Early on in her youth, she trained with Great American Gymnastics Express alongside other NCAA stars, Leanne Wong and Aleah Finnegan. Through these experiences, she grew a love and confidence for the sport. While many may feel daunted by starting as a freshman, Scott rose to the challenge.

“It doesn’t necessarily make me nervous or anything, if anything, it makes me feel less nervous,” Scott said. “Because I know my teammates have my back and I’m just doing it for them, doing it for the team. It just feels good to be a freshman and be able to give [and] provide for the team.”

Scott’s talent has consistently opened up opportunities, like competing for the University of Georgia. So far, the biggest accomplishment in Scott’s career has been her stint with Team USA.

Scott competed on bars and beam with Team USA in the 2018 Pan American Championships in Argentina. The team came away with a gold medal, a career-defining achievement for Scott.

“It was such a great experience,” Scott said. “Just a feeling that I’ll never forget. It’s just crazy to believe that I went through that, and I was a part of Team USA.”

Scott has demonstrated her proficiency as a gymnast, but in practice she looks to demonstrate her proficiency as a teammate. In a sport full of injuries and mental blocks that affect even the biggest of stars, Scott understands how important keeping a positive attitude can be for your

into the transfer portal.

“I just wanted to be out there, more visible on a bigger stage. I want more people to see me play,” Roberts said. “I love and appreciate my coaches and my teammates. I enjoyed playing here. If I could do it all over again, coming out, I’d still choose Bradley as my first NCAA experience.”

However, shortly after the hire of White, Oquendo withdrew his name from the portal. After lengthy conversations with the coaching staff, he returned to the Georgia Bulldogs.

Roberts garnered attention from multiple Division I universities fighting for the opportunity to land the sensational guard.

However, when Roberts discussed the possibility of playing for Georgia, he thought back to his time with his Florida SouthWestern teammate.

“The talks have been the same as Florida, Kansas State and Wichita State,” Roberts said. “With Georgia, they’re saying they want to build the program back up, get it rolling and get Athens rocking again. Also, my teammate from JUCO [Kario Oquendo] is over there as well, so it would be cool if I got to play with him again.”

While in the portal, Oquendo and Roberts communicated throughout the process

“I’m really positive in the gym,” Scott said. “Even if I’m having a bad day, I try not to let it show because it affects your teammates too. But if your teammates are happy, then it’s really encouraging to you. So that’s kind of how I get through. I just stay positive, trust my work [and] know that I can do it.”

Scott’s teammates are some of her biggest motivators. The Georgia gymnastics team has quickly become her motivation to be better but has also provided reliable friends to lean on. This environment is why the former five-star recruit chose Georgia over other schools.

“I chose UGA because the second that I arrived, it felt like home,” Scott said. “Everyone was so sweet and kind, I could imagine and see myself here for the next four years.”

As Scott pursued her goal of making it to Nationals and continued to help the team, her potential was quickly noticed by head coach Courtney Kupets Carter.

“She will have an immediate impact on bars and beam with her exquisite technique and form,” Carter said. “We are excited to see how she grows as a GymDog.”

Throughout all the five-stars, commitments, practices and international competitions, Scott’s biggest role model and inspiration was none other than her mom. For her warm-up song, Scott has listened to “Cruisin” by Smokey Robinson before every meet — a song her mom and grandmother would play all the time.

“She’s just such a hard worker,” Scott said. “I just like her drive and just like anything that she does, it’s just really inspiring.”

As a freshman, Scott has plenty of time left at Georgia, but over the course of her four years, she’ll keep the things that motivate her at the front of her mind.

“Just making my teammates proud [and] making my

with talks of teaming up again at the forefront of their conversations.

“When I went into the portal, that was around the time when he [Terry Roberts] was saying like he’s thinking of coming to Georgia,” Oquendo said at the SEC Tipoff.

“So, when I heard he was coming to Georgia, that persuaded my mindset about ‘Hey, we could play together.’ We were already pretty good together in junior college so, I always feel comfortable with my brother.”

The two quickly gelled, and the backcourt’s success helped the team double its win total the season prior by the time they reached conference play.

As Georgia works its way through its SEC schedule and looks to make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015, the team will lean heavily on the backs of Roberts and Oquendo as focal points of its offensive production.

“I think when you go out and you see anybody, they’re proud to be a Georgia Bulldog and they’re proud of their team,” Oquendo said. “I think we just come in with that mindset, put the team first — don’t think about personal accolades — and if we come in and we just put defense first, I think we can do it. We’ve got a pretty good team.”

younger self proud,” Scott said. “I always say it’s good to have a goal. It’s something to chase, something to look forward to.”

Kario Oquendo (left) and Terry Roberts (right) attack the Vanderbilt defense on Jan. 21. LANEY MARTIN/CONTRIBUTOR

‘It felt like home’

JaFree Scott’s journey to Georgia gymnastics That’s kind of how I get through. I just stay positive, trust my work [and] know that I can do it.

JaFree Scott| Gymnast

JaFree Scott poses

20. JESSICA GRATIGNY/STAFF

1. The University of Georgia women’s club hockey team “calls the Dawgs” after a friendly scrimmage on the morning of Jan. 29 at the Classic Center’s Foundry Pavilion. The UGA women’s club hockey team played in a 3-1 loss to the Lady Thunderbirds 19U from North Carolina.

CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER/CONTRIBUTOR

2. Claire DeVito (10) battles for the puck during the University of Georgia women’s club hockey team’s game on Jan. 28 at the Classic Center’s Foundry Pavilion. The UGA women’s club hockey team played in a 3-1 loss to the Lady Thunderbirds 19U from North Carolina.

CASSIDY HETTESHEIMER/CONTRIBUTOR

3. Georgia senior forward Zac Maurer (77) concentrates during the game on Jan. 29 at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. The Ice Dawgs defeated Ole Miss 5-0. LANEY MARTIN/CONTRIBUTOR

4. Georgia junior guard Kario Oquendo (3) drives past the Vanderbilt defense. The University of Georgia men’s basketball team lost to Vanderbilt University at Stegeman Coliseum 82-85 in Athens, Georgia. LANEY MARTIN/CONTRIBUTOR

5. Georgia senior Haley de Jong competes in the floor event at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia, on Jan. 20. The University of Georgia gymnastics team defeated the University of Kentucky 197.225-196.575. JESSICA GRATIGNY/STAFF

6. Georgia senior guard Chloe Chapman (1) goes for the rebound. The University of Georgia women’s basketball team defeated the University of Missouri 62-51 at Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, Georgia, on Jan. 26. JESSICA GRATIGNY/STAFF

COLLEGE AND BEYOND CAN BE OVERWHELMING.

The UGA Mentor Program can help you find and connect with a mentor who shares your interests and background.

GETTING STARTED IS SIMPLE.

• Create a profile on our digital platform.

• Watch a brief orientation video.

• Request an alumni, faculty or staff mentor based on your search criteria.

“I think having a mentor is one of the most valuable parts of my experience at UGA so far.”

FIND A MENTOR AT MENTOR.UGA.EDU

HIP-HOP

A local ‘Legacy’

The latest by rapper Ishues is a poetic oral history Atlanta isn’t the only city in Georgia with a vibrant hip-hop music scene.

Well known for chart-topping bands like R.E.M and the B-52s, Athens has a reputation for new wave and alternative rock music. But local hip-hop legend Ishues’ newest album, “Legacy,’’ demonstrates that the Athens music scene is just as diverse as the city itself.

The album mixes Ishues’ articulate rapping with sophisticated beats to create a wholly unique sound in almost every song — an impressive feat considering there are 18 tracks.

From the slower, sultrier sound of “In a Time” to the flamenco-style guitar in “On My Feet,” no two songs sound the same. This innovative mixing of genres, like the sample of Tame Impala’s psychedelic pop hit “Let it Happen” in “Take it to the Streets,” feels like a reinvention and reclamation of music that has long been overlooked in Athens.

“Legacy” is more than just music. In fact, the album feels like a poetic oral history of the rapper’s life and of the Black experience. While the beat can feel repetitive at times, Ishues’ talent for lyricism always shines through.

Blurring the line between artist and activist, Ishues explores heavy topics like police brutality, addiction and violence, pushing for change with an inspiring tone of perseverance.

This album, as the name suggests, is a testament to Ishues’ legacy in Athens. Whether you’re a fan of the genre or not, it’s worth a listen.

— Isabelle Manders

Reviewed: “Legacy” by Ishues

Experience Yourself: Available for streaming on Apple Music and Spotify Rating:

VISUAL ARTS

Art in craft

Reflecting on a 20th century baker’s cabinet

Growing up as a Black history buff, I appreciated photos more than abstract and ‘confusing’ artwork. But after studying photography, I learned that photos are just another form of art. With this new realization

I began to wonder: What is art?

In 2012, the Georgia Museum of Art received 100 pieces by African American artists, leading the museum in a new direction to portray “an inclusive canon of American art,” according to the museum’s website.

On a recent trip to the gallery, the most thought-provoking piece of art I saw was one I wouldn’t have considered art before. In the gallery dedicated to Georgia art and craftsmanship, there are regular daily objects: baskets, chairs, bedposts and a kitchen baker’s cabinet.

The baker’s cabinet was made by a possibly former enslaved man, Hillard L. Edwards, for his wife circa 1908. It’s made of scrap wood and elements that are easy to find for a stoneyard worker at the turn of the century. Its ruggedness displays the piece’s necessity and the maker’s resourcefulness.

The wear and tear on the surfaces gave it a uniquely human touch. It reminded me of cutting boards, countertops and days in the kitchen baking with my great aunt during the holidays. It represents home, love and perseverance. Works like these show me the necessity of art. While not always as grounded in reality as a photo, art can transcend reality and time. Art is transformational, resourceful, colorful, emotional, representative and a necessity; African American art is everything.

— Malcolm Montgomery

Reviewed: Black art collection at GMOA

Experience Yourself: The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and admission is free.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

DINING

Sweet and spicy

Sampling a platter at Kelly’s

Authentic Jamaican Food

Kelly’s Authentic Jamaican Food brings Caribbean cooking to Athens. All entrees are served with meat, two sides, tea and cornbread.

I dined when head chef and owner, Kelbourne “Kelly” Codling, was serving food. As I waited my turn, I noticed his friendly demeanor in the warm smile he wore on his face the entire time.

Codling recommended the jerk chicken and the spicy cabbage, so I ordered those along with the BBQ chicken and mac and cheese. He also added a small scoop of spicy squash for me to try. My meal was completed with cornbread and sweet tea on the side.

The meat on both the BBQ and the jerk chicken was incredibly tender; it fell off the bone with a light pull from my fork.

The BBQ chicken had savory, crispy skin on the outside that gave it a nice texture profile in combination with the juicy meat.

The jerk chicken was considerably spicy, just as Codling had warned. Thankfully, the refreshing, sugary sweet tea calmed my taste buds with ease.

Each forkful of cabbage was a balanced mixture of sweet and spicy flavors. The spicy squash had flavor notes of tomato, which I enjoyed. The cornbread was dense, buttery and cake-like.

Overall, I can confidently say that I will be returning to Kelly’s. The prices were reasonable, the portions were gracious, the food was packed with flavor and the service was hospitable. If you are new to Jamaican cuisine like I was, this is a great place to start your journey.

— Jayden Henson

Reviewed: Kelly’s Authentic Jamaican Food

Experience Yourself: The restaurant is at 1583 S. Lumpkin St. Closed Mondays.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

POP MUSIC Teenage dream

The Shut-Ups channel inner teen girl in ‘Everyday’

“Everyday,” the first single off local band

The Shut-Ups’ most recent album, “The Shut-Ups Girls Are Singing Songs,” delivers on the project’s mission: to conjure up the inner teenage girl in a group of exclusively older men. With a bubble gum pop style and lyrics resembling that of a sorority chant, the track is reminiscent of the early-2000’s music video genre – teenage boys with spiky hair, graphic tees and electric guitars attempting to get the attention of the girl next door who is usually played by a blonde washing her car in a tube top.

“Everyday” ultimately tells the day in the life of a girl complete with lyrics such as “And the clock goes beep beep / But I never did get to sleep / ‘Cause everyday’s the best day of my life.” The Shut-Ups seem to imply there is simplicity in being a young girl – an interesting choice for a single off an album that claims to be “a comprehensive exploration of the female perspective.” “Everyday” aims to represent the girl with perfectly combed hair and painted nails; every day must be the best day of her life. That is, until you look closer. Then, as The Shut-Ups croon, “You’re gonna get it.” Not everything is so perfect.

While the track is not one I wanted to put in my regular rotation immediately, it grew on me. There’s a certain rebellion in the sound, one that takes me back to sneaking out of a window down to the house party below, solo cups littering the perfectly manicured lawn. I’m excited and a little apprehensive.

— Sydney Bishop

Reviewed: “Everyday” by The Shut-Ups

Experience Yourself: Available for streaming on Apple Music and Spotify

Rating:

COURTESY/ISHUES

MALCOLM MONTGOMERY/CONTRIBUTOR

JAYDEN HENSON/STAFF COURTESY/THE SHUT-UPS

In the late ‘90s, Shiketa Gresham was a marketing major at the University of Georgia and a resident assistant at Creswell Hall. Demetrius Gresham, a management information systems major, worked behind the desk in the dorm. The young college students had no idea they’d spend the rest of their lives together.

Lasting love

Celebrating relationships that thrive for a lifetime

The pair became friends while taking Geography 1101 in 1997. While at UGA, Shiketa Gresham was the advertising representative for The Red & Black. Although they grew busy with work and school over the years, they rekindled their friendship their senior year in 1999 and began dating shortly after.

The two graduated in 2000 and got married in September 2002, celebrating 20 years of marriage in 2022.

Shiketa and Demetrius Gresham were the first couple to be featured in the University of Georgia Black Alumni affinity group social media series, “Puppy Love.” Launched in September 2022, the series highlights Black alumni couples on their Instagram and Facebook accounts to showcase Black alumni’s college love stories.

Each post is uploaded during the featured couple’s wedding anniversary month and contains photos, the story of their meet cute and a glimpse at their current life.

The “Puppy Love” series has showcased many UGA love stories. According to the UGA Black Alumni Instagram page, Corey Dortch popped the question to his wife-tobe, Amelia Dortch, on the steps of the UGA Chapel, and

Candance and Jeff Brown got married in Athens’ very own Classic Center. A romantic spot on campus, Kimberly and Sheldon Arnold met at the wall outside of Creswell Hall.

“It brought back so many memories of our UGA days from the ‘90s when being featured in ‘Puppy Love,’” Kimberly Arnold said in an email to The Red & Black. “We still visit campus with our family during Homecoming, year after year. We contribute to the 1961 Club. We are loyal to the G.”

When they were posted on the “Puppy Love” series, people who the Greshams had not spoken to since graduation reached out. According to Shiketa Gresham, it made the momentous occasion of their 20th wedding anniversary all the more special.

“If you think about how you hear about marriages in the news, [it’s] typically divorce statistics,” Gresham said. “The reason that I love [‘Puppy Love’] so much is because it highlights marriage. It also highlights Black marriage, which is super important because, for Black women, we have some of the lowest marriage rates of all demographics of women.”

Shiketa and Demetrius Gresham came from different communities but were both first-generation college students. Since their time at UGA, more of their extended family members have also attended the university.

“It was really a big deal for both of us to be able to go to Georgia,” Shiketa Gresham said. “So, not only did it start our love story, but it’s also started a legacy.”

February is not only the month of Valentine’s Day and an opportunity to celebrate love but is also Black History Month, an important time to recognize the past trials and triumphs of Black Americans.

“For me, Black history is more than just this month-long celebration for myself and my family,” Shiketa Gresham said. “I think we’ve created these really rich traditions for our children that allow them to celebrate the contributions of African Americans.”

Shiketa and Demetrius Gresham want to remind their kids that they are not only part of Black history, but also the future.

Today, the Greshams live in San Antonio, Texas with their two children, ages 9 and 13. Shiketa Gresham is a national account manager at J.M. Smucker Company and Demetrius Gresham is a channel sales manager for Microsoft. The Greshams are happily balancing their children, work, self-care and maintaining a healthy marriage. The family also enjoys traveling when they get the chance.

The Black Alumni Leadership Council’s outreach committee developed the idea for the “Puppy Love” series. Members of the committee noticed alumni posting about their wedding anniversaries on social media and hoped to share their stories as a way to build connections between UGA Black alumni and stay updated on each other’s lives.

From there, the series was born.

Due to the series’ quick rise in popularity, couples now volunteer to be featured by filling out a form linked on the UGA Black Alumni Instagram and Facebook accounts.

As the executive leadership committee of the affinity group of UGA Black Alumni, the BALC aims to keep Black alumni engaged while also supporting current students.

“The Black Alumni Leadership Council is very special to me because it helps to connect Black alumni and students to the school and with each other through shared experiences and helps to build a community,” Donjanea Williams, co-chair of the BALC outreach committee, said.

The BALC engages alumni through many initiatives, including mentoring, events such as their signature Homecoming event and social media. The 1961 Club is a scholarship fund sponsored by UGA Black Alumni which is funded by a process Williams calls “friendraising,” where alumni financially support the initiative.

“The Alumni Association has allowed me to stay plugged in and to feel that I’m really contributing to the next generation of leaders that matriculate through Georgia,” Shiketa Gresham, who donates to the 1961 Club, said.

The “Puppy Love” series allows alumni to see what each other are doing after college. According to Williams, people tend to be more engaged when they put out stories of their peers’ current lives. It appeals to people’s connection to love and family.

“It also promotes positive images of our UGA Black alumni and shows the positive impact that they are making,” Williams said. “Everyone likes a good love story.”

Starry Skies South is Coming

[Science, Jan 2023, Issue 6629]

Stars and the Milky Way are disappearing from night skies because from 2011 to 2022 global night brightness increased 9.6%

Warning! Low Star Visibility…

to Athens

Anna Kapustay

(Left) Kimberly and Sheldon Arnold started dating in 1996, before marrying in 1998. (Right) The Greshams met at UGA in 1997. COURTESY/KIMBERLY ARNOLD (LEFT); SHIKETA GRESHAM (RIGHT)

The Greshams graduating in 2000.

COURTESY/ANDREA REEVES

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A personality in student living.

Eating Ethiopian and Eritrean Mannaweenta brings East African cuisine to Athens

Ellie Pool

Someone looking at the small Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant nestled on the east side of Athens would never know that it came to the owner in a dream. Haregu Bahtu made her dream a reality when she opened Mannaweenta. Bahtu is the chef and owner of the restaurant, which is tucked into the corner of a strip on Gaines School Road.

Bahtu is originally from Eritrea, a small country in Eastern Africa just north of Ethiopia, but eventually left her home to move to Atlanta. In 1995, she moved northeast to Athens because she wanted to live in a quieter community. She found Athens to be a nice place to raise her four kids, one of which the restaurant is named after.

Mannaweenta is sandwiched between Orient Mart and Quality Dry Cleaners on the east side of Athens. While the outside of the restaurant appears small, the inside is bursting with character and culture with walls covered in Ethiopian and Eritrean artwork.

There are also awards on display, including five consecutive years of winning “Favorite International Restaurant” from Flagpole Magazine starting in 2018.

Mannaweenta became a vision for Bahtu in March of 2014 after she had a dream. In the dream, a man asked her what her vision was, and she said she dreamt of a restaurant. Bahtu realized this vision was from God, according to the restaurant’s website.

“Sometimes when you’re young, you wish you had a restaurant or something, but things didn’t happen that way. One time it just came to me, like a dream,” Bahtu said. “A man was asking me ‘What is your dream? What is your goal?’ But at that point of my life, I was like, ‘I can’t do nothing, I don’t have nothing,’ kind of a discouraging time in life.”

Bahtu took classes at the Goodwill Business Center to transform her dream into a reality.

“The teachers were talking about money, but I was talking about my dream,” Bahtu said.

After completing her business classes, Bahtu sold food at the West Broad Farmers Market. This was well received by customers, and she began getting asked when her restaurant was opening. This was very encouraging, so she began looking for a space to open a restaurant.

In August of 2015, Mannaweenta opened.

The business was doing well until the COVID-19 pandemic. Bahtu kept the restaurant open by serving carry-out food with herself as the only employee for months.

Since the pandemic, Bahtu said she has been seeing fewer new customers but still has regular customers who come in.

Bahtu said she feels very supported by the Athens community and her regulars.

“Without them, you know, I cannot stand. I cannot stay open. Athens is a very nice community to me,” Bahtu said.

Bahtu has been cooking her whole life and is still learning as she goes.

“My mom, she didn’t have education, but she knows her food. She knows what to season and how to season,” Bahtu said. “But here, I do research. ‘What am I feeding

people?’ You know, I look at it. Everything I put in the food has something for our health. This is the right thing to do, and it’s good for the people.”

Mannaweenta’s menu offers meat and vegetable plates, available in sizes small or large. The meat plates come with two sides of vegetables and the option to add an extra portion of meat for $4.

The meat selections include chicken, lamb, prime beef and tilapia, which is only available on Tuesdays. All of the vegetable dishes are vegan and include lentils, split peas, collard greens, okra and chickpeas.

Mannaweenta also serves lentil soup and a variety of salads. It is an affordable dining option, with plate prices ranging from $7-13.75.

It also has gluten free options, making this a restaurant for everyone. Spice levels can be altered on dishes as well to fit personal preferences.

“Nowadays, people are very conscious about their health,” Bahtu said. “This is a restaurant for their health. It’s healthy food, vegetarian, vegan, even the meat is healthy for them because I take all the fats out. I prepare it like I will prepare it for my kids.”

Some of the specialty menu items include injera and berbere. Injera is a thin flatbread made with a mixture of teff flour, a staple grain from Ethiopia. Berbere is a spice blend. Ethiopian iced tea and coffee are also available.

“I’m here. I’m cooking … And I just want people to come and taste it,” Bahtu said.

Haregu Bahtu opened Mannaweenta in East Athens in August 2015. ELLIE POOL/STAFF

Eritrean art hangs on the wall of Mannaweenta. ELLIE POOL/STAFF

Valentines Skate Night: Join WUOG 90.5 FM, the UGA student radio station, for a night of romantic skating.

When: 7-9 p.m.

Where: Athens Skate Inn

Price: $6/free for first 200 students

Historic Athens Mardi Gras Masquerade:

The fifth annual masquerade and block party will celebrate historic businesses and feature a court crowning, costume masquerade, bestdressed competition and cocktail experience add-on.

Theatre Department’s “The Wolves”: This student production of Sarah DeLappe’s coming-of-age play follows a girls’ high school soccer team as they grapple with life’s unanswered questions.

2:30 p.m. on 2.26 Where: UGA Cellar Theatre Price: $12-16