Celebrating Black History

UAB’S OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 62, ISSUE 16

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

P. 3 Your craziest cup of joe in the Magic City

P. 6 Movies you need to watch this month

P. 7 Camille Armstrong’s continued legacy

TUESDAY, FEB 25, 2020

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Letter from the Editor

Black history month will not end in February Sufia Alam Editor in Chief sufia@uab.edu As the first Muslim and Indian Editor in Chief of the Kaleidoscope, I have great pride when it comes to this paper. As a publication, we have highlighted the incidences of nationalism on campus, the stories of students who don’t know their future through the rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Action program, and shared the journeys of people who have impacted our culture such as Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro Sr., or as we know him, Carelton Banks from The

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air In honor of Black History Month, this issue will solely highlight the black voices of UAB and Birmingham.

You will find stories of black business owners, the story students celebrating and honoring the legacy of Camille Armstrong, an editor’s list of our favorite movies by black directors and a feature on some of the most prominent black student organizations on campus.

But highlighting black voices does not need end in February.

While we may cover diversity of stories every issue, all publications, including Kaleidoscope need to have more conscious effort to

make sure all voices of UAB are highlighted every issue.

Our student body is 56.3% white, 26.1% African American and 6.2 % Asian. The Kaleidoscope will always strive to represent campus and give all students of different backgrounds, experiences and mentalities a voice.

After this issue, I hope every paper or article you read from the Kaleidoscope you will find your voice heard and represented. While we continue to honor the voices of the underrepresented the rest of this month, the Kaleidoscope will continue this sentiment throughout the year.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

‘Shining a light’ on student equality Student organizations aim at connection, and cultural education Juhee Agrawal Contributing Reporter jagrawal@uab.edu

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AASO

Tooni Oyewusi, junior in biomedical engineering, serves as president of the African Student Association (ASA).

Oyewusi said because she moved from Lagos, Nigeria to come to college, she joined ASA to find a community.

Oyewusi said she initially did not know if she should celebrate Black History Month because she is not African American.

“But I’m happy with the phase I’m in right now,” Oyewusi said. “I’m still learning and getting more comfortable with black history here. For me, it’s about being thankful to previous immigrants who have come and paved the way for me to come to school here, and for future generations to be able to do so.”

Veronica Mixon, junior in psychology and African American studies, is president of the African American Studies Organization (AASO).

She said she joined to find a niche that she could feel comfortable in.

“I’ve been to private school at predominantly white institutions before, so I wanted to find a space where I could meet other people who are going through that identity formulation as well,” Mixon said. “I wanted to learn more about where I came from as well as other cultural backgrounds that have similar histories, similar situations and things of that nature.”

Mixon said she is joyful when Black History Month rolls around.

“Each time, there’s something new coming up or a new boundary being broken,” Mixon said. “It’s a time when so many black people get even more outspoken with what they say and how they feel. It’s a space of more positivity and love.”

She said through AASO, she found a family among professors and students.

“Our director is literally a family member,” Mixon said. “(The students) are not just learning about what UAB can give you through education, but also what you can do for yourself as a person.”

Abani Varner-Williams, senior in broadcast journalism, is the president of the Black Student Awareness Committee (BSAC).

She said BSAC aims to create a safe space for African American students on campus to talk about different issues affecting them, socialize and receive networking opportunities.

“Our biggest thing is bringing us together as a community on campus and not being divided,” VarnerWilliams said. “At the end of the day, (the black student organizations) are all working towards one main goal, which is equality for all of us. We want to shine a light on all that is going on, and provide an avenue to then become active, even if they are not in BSAC.” Varner-Williams said for her Black History Month is a positive and a negative.

“I do like that we have a time of the year when we celebrate and uplift each other, but it should not be confined to one month,” Varner-Williams said. “We should be talking about us every day because we have been involved in everything with the building of this country.”

PHOTO PROVIDED BY BSAC

Glenda Booker, junior in biomedical sciences, is the president of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS).

She said their main focus is to provide resources for students underrepresented in the health professions to help make them competitive for professional school.

“We provide mentorships, shadowing, different networking opportunities and meetings geared towards professional development, like a resume building workshop and an African American men in medicine panel,” Booker said. “We want to be a family (to students) through studying, socials and other things.”

Booker said while Black History Month is a nice time to recognize how to make moves to become better as a society, we need to learn more about black history outside of February.

“It’s kind of sad, because maybe you have the option to take African American studies, but if you’re not in courses like that, you don’t really spend the time that needs to be spent to learn more about our history and understanding the impact of our forefathers.” Booker said.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MAPS

TUESDAY, FEB. 25, 2020

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Not your standard cup of joe at Bizarre Emma Owen Blazer News Editor emmaowen@uab.edu Serving coffee, entrées and treats with a twist, Bizarre: The Coffee Bar has been serving Birmingham since 2018 and is located less than 10 minutes from campus.

Owned by Will Harvill, Bizarre brings a unique flair to the coffee game by selling alcoholic beverages along with their coffee menu.

“We’re a coffee bar that sells alcohol, which is rare within itself,” Harvill said. “We say that’s what makes us ‘Bizarre,’ all these additional aspects of the coffee bar theme.”

Beyond being a coffee shop that sells alcohol, Harvill said his menu stands out from other coffee shops in the area.

“We’ve got nachos, we’ve got tacos, we’ve got an amazing salad, we’ve got amazing chicken salad sandwiches,” Harvill said. “Instead of the small pastries you’d find in a regular coffee bar, you’ll find a big slab of cake, key lime, red velvet (and) chocolate.

Just amazing cake from an amazing baker.”

Harvill said owning this business is a labor of love. “(I love) all of it,” Harvill said. “What I brought to (Bizarre) is 20 years of management experience, plus I’m a bartender by trade.”

Harvill said the support he receives from customers keeps him driven and enthusiastic about owning a business.

“Every week when I look at my bills and think that I could go back to corporate America and be making great money, all it takes is the customers coming in and saying how much they enjoy the concept and how much they enjoy the food or enjoy our artwork,”

PHOTO BY EMMA OWEN/BLAZER NEWS EDITOR Will Harvill, owner of Bizarre, said owning a coffee bar is a labor of love.

Harvill said. “That’s what makes me keep going.”

Harvill said that when owning a business, it’s important to surround yourself with a positive support group. For him, he said his support group is his family.

“My sister (and) my brothers are very instrumental,” Harvill said. “I’ve got some cousins who are entrepreneurs who are very successful and help drive me and help motivate me.”

Harvill said owning a successful business does not happen overnight.

“It takes time, you’ll get there if you let your heart drive it,” Harvill said. “Find some cause greater than money that will motivate you.”

Harvill said community support is important for Bizarre and that he has started partnerships with other local businesses.

“We’ve bought into some local aesthetics from artists,” Harvill said. “We’ve brought in more local

businesses such as our cake which is by My Sweetheart Bakery, we’ve got a local black owned coffee brand which is our house brand.”

Kareemah Harvill, sister of Bizarre’s owner, said she was enthusiastic about her brother chasing his calling to business ownership. “(Entrepreneurship) is in his blood,” Kareemah Harvill said. “He has a really nice spot in the heart of downtown and he’s offering something that not many places are offering, so that’s exciting.

Nitin Gharpure, a customer at Bizarre, said he would recommend this coffee shop due to the cozy environment.

“It had a really nice and quiet atmosphere,” Gharpure said. “The owner (was) really friendly and it was the perfect place to grab a bite to eat between classes.”

Instagram: bizarre.thecoffeebar Address: 217 22nd St North

Black history in Alabama is just a car ride away

1. Kelly Ingram Park Kelly Ingram Park was the central location of the protests organized by Reverend James Bevel in May 1963. In 1992 the park was renovated alongside the founding of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as “A Place of Revolution and Reconciliation.” The park has statues depicting the events of the protests as well as memorials of those who made the movement possible. The park has guided audio tours available by calling (205) 307-5455. The park is free to visit.

2. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute was founded in November 1992. The museum is self-guided and includes exhibits showing the founding of Birmingham in 1871 to the present history of human rights. Visitors can also see special exhibits rotate. The permanent exhibits include the Barriers gallery, Confrontation gallery, Movement gallery and the Human Rights gallery. Tickets for college students are $6 with an I.D. and $15 for non-student adults.

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The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame museum is located inside the Carver Performing Arts Theater, historically a place where African Americans were able to see first-run movies during segregation. The museum portion honors Alabama’s great Jazz musicians and seeks to educate the public about jazz’s legacy as music indigenous to the U.S. The museum contains memorabilia from notable jazz artists.

They also host free jazz classes for the public every Saturday morning. Guided tours can be reserved and walk-in visitors can access the public archives

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Birmingham has been an important location for Black history in the south spanning before the Civil Rights movement and after it. For the purpose of learning about one of the most important periods in Birmingham history, here are some locations that students can visit that are just a short ride from UAB as well as some in Montgomery.

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3. Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

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Hannah Richey Senior Staff Columnist hgrichey@uab.edu

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Montgomery

ILLUSTRATION BY JI KO/CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR

4. 16th Street Baptist Church The 16th Street Baptist Church was the site of a bombing by the KKK. The bombing killed four girls aged 11-14E and injured others in the area. The bombing was also part of President Johnson’s reason for passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Church is still in operation and anyone is welcome to join the congregation for their worship services at 10:45 a.m. on Sundays. For a tour of the church, groups must have 10 or more people, but smaller groups and individuals can visit the sanctuary during operating hours.

5. Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice The Legacy Museum was founded by the Equal Justice Initiative in 2018 and is located in Montgomery, Alabama. The museum is a history of slavery, Jim Crow and modern-day mass incarceration. The tour is self-guided and utilizes technology to show the horrors of racism in the U.S. The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is a memorial for lynching victims and can be accessed by a bus that leaves from the Legacy Museum. It contains blocks for counties with recorded lynching’s and the names of the victims. Tickets are $7 to visit both areas.

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TUESDAY, FEB. 25 2020

COMMUNITY

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ELEVATORS Through community events, Elevators aims to inspire black creatives within the Birmingham area.

Elevating creatives in Birmingham Organization that encourages black entrepreneurship Emma Owen Blazer News Editor emmaowen@uab.edu

With the goal of promoting creative culture within Birmingham’s African American community, Elevators on 4th has been celebrating black entrepreneurship since 2017.

Carmen Mays, founder of Elevators on 4th, said the organization got its start due to lack of diversity and representation during Birmingham’s Innovation Week.

“I could not understand how and why they were centering events inside the Birmingham City Limits but they weren’t actually including people from Birmingham,” Mays said. “As a form of protest, I decided we should throw an event concurrently with theirs, but focus on back culture and entrepreneurship and innovation.”

Mays said Elevators originated with three events, including an event held at the Ballard House Project.

“I was pretty satisfied with just the three events and I wanted to just go back to doing whatever I was doing before-hand,” Mays said. “The response from the people who attended really let us know that we had something.”

Mays said providing a positive environment for young black people in Birmingham inspired her to plan more events, leading to what is known as Elevators today.

“It was great to see (these) young black people in a public space having such a great time and so I was like, ‘we can do one more thing,’” Mays said. “I was like PHOTO BY CADE PAIR/SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Melvin Griffin serves as Elevators’ Cultural cultivator.

what if we did something in October and we called it Gucci Mane day. Oct. 17 of that year Gucci Made was getting married, so Oct. 17 we’re going to have Gucci Mane Day at Railroad Park and if people come then we got something. Then I might be convinced to start a business.”

After Gucci Mane Day in Railroad Park, Mays said she knew she was in the right place and needed to charge forward with the organization.

“There’s a gap in Birmingham for high-quality cultural, particularly black centered cultural, activities for young people,” Mays said. “We had kind of tapped that market. After that we were laying low trying to become a business. Flash forward to now, we have a new website up that really focuses on how we view our role in fostering an equitable entrepreneurship ecosystem where creatives can make a living doing what they -Carmen Hays love.”

Mays said that beyond bringing the community together through events, Elevators also works to support creatives in Birmingham.

“We source business development opportunities for people of color and other opportunities where they can learn about how to service and thrive as creatives of color,” Mays said. “We also work with institutions like UAB, corporations and other organizations to help them figure out what their role is in the ecosystem and how to contribute to its equitability and we’re also working with them to get creatives of color into their supply chain.”

Melvin Griffin, Cultural Cultivator for Elevators, said the first event at the Ballard House left him feeling grateful.

“It was just an assortment of people, young and old, just in the Ballard House,” Griffin said. “It was just a beautiful sight that showed me we had something here.”

Griffin said one instance after the first event proved to him that Elevators could make a difference in the lives of others.

“There was an older woman (when) I was with my mom in Walmart one day and I think she came to the first event and she was like ‘You were with Elevators, weren’t you?’ and she just thanked me for that,” Griffin said.

We source business development opportunities for people of color and other opportunities where they can learn about how to service and thrive as creatives of color.

PHOTO BY CADE PAIR/SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Carmen Mays is the creator of Elevators.

Trenton Foster creates content and brand awareness for Elevators and said he is excited for the difference Elevators is aiming to make.

“I’m passionate about Elevators because of what it will grow to be,” Foster said. “(I) am very proud to work for an organization that has values rooted so deep in both the development of black opportunity and black ideologies that stemmed from our former (and) current Civil Rights leaders that are still alive around Birmingham today.”

Foster said Elevators is unique because of the teamwork that goes on behind the scenes.

“We have a such a close-knit team and it’s truly not that many of us, but the people we have touched through our work has gifted us an extensive network that we call on frequently,” Foster said. “Which is honestly kind of what it’s all about, but it’s definitely one of the most unique experiences I’ve had. Most people around here are so stingy, so it’s truly been a blessing for people to see what we’re doing and genuinely pitch in the best way they can.”

How to become involved with Elevators: -Order gear from the website, www. elevatorson4th.com/merch to support Elevators.

-Sign up for the email list to stay informed about upcoming events by subscribing on the Elevators website.

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TUESDAY, FEB 25. 2020

Black history is important year round Myles Womack Senior Staff Reporter mjw3@uab.edu It only makes sense that throughout the calendar year the shortest month is given to celebrate African American people.

Black political and civil figures during movements in American law need to be instructed and dissected in classrooms at all levels of education.

Black media and entertainment don’t just need more representation in numbers but stories that comment on everyday life that highlights black people with similar issues that our counterparts are often allowed to experience.

The general population needs to be versed in black history not because a month calls for it but because we are in fact a part of American history.

Slavery in colonial America, black soldiers who fought on both sides of the Civil War, Emancipation Day, the Civil Rights Act and a numerous amount of other events that have taken place to date.

Black history is an important staple in American culture. Black history should not only be celebrated but taught every day.

Black issues are often forgotten throughout daily news cycles and in general conversation in the mainstream.

Typically, black businesspeople, politicians, activists, entertainers and athletes who have accomplished historic feats are often short-lived.

Further to the point, after the month finishes the names and likes of black leaders and revolutionaries aren’t to be mentioned again until the next year.

The origins of Black History Month date back to post-Civil War Reconstruction era after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. Later that year Carter G. Woodson, who was known as the “Father of Black History,” founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).

According to the ASNLH, the purpose of Woodson’s legacy was to help promote the accomplishments of black people since the inception of slavery in America diminished black livelihood. In 1926, Woodson initiated the celebration of Negro History Week, which eventually lead to the month-long celebration in 1976.

Ten years later, Congress officially designated the celebration to include the entire month of February and what is now known today as ‘Black History Month.’

However, even as African Americans continue to progress and achieve important things today, those very accomplishments receive little, if any, recognition to the masses.

The general population needs to be versed in black history not because a month calls for it but because we are in fact a part of American history.

Slavery in colonial America, black soldiers who fought on both sides of the Civil War, Emancipation Day, the Civil Rights Act and a numerous amount of other events that have taken place to date.

PHOTO BY CADE PAIR / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Being bi-racially black, I grew up knowing where my roots are, where I came from. My mom, being black, she has always taught me the value of knowing my history and the history of being black. I think it’s really a beautiful thing that’s been very Skylar Diaz, freshman in business marketing

Growing up, I didn’t really get the significance until I got older and learned more about my people and what they went through, and now I think it’s really important. I feel like we don’t really get recognized that much within the community. I think having this month educates not only us, but other people, about the accomplishments that we have made. It’s important to highlight it.

History is definitely important. All the things that happened in the past led us to where we are now. I think it’s really important to remember it and celebrate it. Everyone should know the significance of the month and why we need to Marcellus Payne, freshman remember it.” biomedical sciences Lakshmi Bommineni, master’s in computer science Honestly, I think there isn’t enough done to celebrate and recognize black history month. You see fliers and stuff, but unless you actively search out the information, it’s not readily available. Celebrating black history is important, because as a culture and group they have been so oppressed, and we should take the opportunity to celebrate differences.

Amber Glaze, freshman in chemistry

TUESDAY, FEB. 25 , 2020

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Continuing their legacy through music Jackson Ragland Contributing Reporter jrag@uab.edu

Songs to listen to: -Summertime by Billie Holiday

There have been many amazing black music artists throughout time, each adding their piece to the history of music overall.

There are four major names that people know or should know. These four black music artists have provided much more than music. They left a part of their soul in history.

These artists are Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, and Prince. Each one has left their mark on music for the rest of time.

Billie Holiday, known for her dazzling voice and amazing sound, was a jazz vocalist who set many standards for her genre.

Without her powerful songs and vocals, there wouldn’t be any soul behind jazz and blues today. Holiday’s influence in jazz and the blues will live on through her songs and the people she has influenced.

Sammy Davis Jr. ,who is also known for his impressions and acting with his music, put his mark on entertainment history. Davis was an amazing vocalist and impersonator.

Davis is one of the original members of the “Rat Pack,” (Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Bishop) and was famous for his ability to mimic almost anyone. He mimicked many famous voices including Ray Charles, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis.

Davis’s influence wasn’t just in music, he also was an actor in a few shows, movies and plays as well as a remarkable comedian. Without Davis’ vocal abilities, entertainment would be totally different today.

Aretha Franklin is one of the most famous women in music history. She is known as the “Queen of Soul,” and she proved it. Without Franklin artists like Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton might have never found their sound.

Franklin’s ability to belt out vocals naturally was and is spectacular to hear. Franklin was a transformative voice in music history and will continue to inspire more and more music artists forever.

Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as just Prince, was one of the most famous singers and songwriters of all time. Prince was an amazing musical artist on and off the stage.

Prince’s music is very strong and powerful, even when he isn’t the one singing. Prince wrote many songs that were hits that he did not sing. Without Prince, today’s music would not be the same.

Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, and Prince have all contributed to music in their own ways; there are many more songs by these artists that have a major impact and will always have a mark on history.

-The Candy Man by Sammy Davis Jr. -Respect by Aretha Franklin -Adore by Prince

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GOOGLE IMAGES

Movies to celebrate Black History Month with Caleb Wood Senior Staff Columnist calwood@uab.edu

If you like romance: Love & Basketball

If you like true stories: BlacKkKlansman This is the movie that finally earned director Spike Lee an Oscar. “BlacKkKlansman” is the real-life story of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), the first black police officer with the Colorado Springs police force, who successfully went undercover in the Ku Klux Klan.

While some directors might play off this situation as comedic, Lee understands the gravity of the PHOTO COURTESY OF 40 ACRES AND situation and powerfully connects it to events A MULE PICTURES unfolding in today’s political climate. He recognizes the Klansman as dangerous monsters and he recognizes that they have not disappeared. This is not a story of people from a distant past. This is a story about people who can live to see it on the screen.

If you like comedy: Girls Trip “Girls Trip” is the story of four black women who reunite for a crazy weekend at Essence Fest in New Orleans. The group were close friends as students at Florida A&M but have since drifted apart. It is a celebration of black female friendship and features cameos by everyone from Mariah Carey to Ava DuVernay.

While the film stars the always remarkable Regina Hall, Tiffany Haddish is the star of the show. She makes even the most pedestrian of lines memorable.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WILL PACKER PRODUCTIONS

The debut of director Gina PrinceBlythewood, “Love & Basketball” follows Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) from when they were childhood friends and neighbors dreaming of playing basketball for a living like Quincy’s dad. It follows them and their complicated lovehate relationship through high school, college and into adulthood.

In “Love & Basketball,” the thing that unites Monica and Quincy is, unsurprisingly, basketball, but it also divides. The disparity between the privileges extended to the men’s and women’s teams are a smart commentary on gender inequality by PrinceBlythewood.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER BROS.

If you like horror: Us

Like director Jordan Peele’s acclaimed debut “Get Out,” “Us” is a horror film that aims to do more than just scare you. It is the story of a family vacation that goes awry as the family is attacked by their own doppelgangers.

Peele raises the question of how we can we live with ourselves when we know what we are capable of. How do we respond when faced with the most grotesque version of ourselves?

With Lupita Nyong’o delivering an incredible dual performance, “Us” is something that can’t be missed.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MONKEYPAW PICTURES

*all movies can be streamed using UAB’s Wi-Fi services on uabheat.myresnet.com

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TUESDAY, FEB. 25, 2020

MEMORIAL STEP SHOW

PHOTOS BY CAMERON MCPHAIL/SENIOR STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Delta Sigma Theta celebrated the 30th Annual Camille Armstrong Memorial Step Show by stepping in the space themed competition.

Blazers celebrate Armstrong’s legacy BSAC continues the legacy of student through competition Emma Owen Blazer News Editor Emmaowen@uab.edu Thirty years ago, UAB student Camille Armstrong was killed in a car accident weeks before her graduation ceremony. UAB celebrates Armstong’s legacy every February with Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Step Show, featuring routines from campus sororities and fraternities, while also fundraising to give scholarships in Camille’s honor.

Camille is survived by her brother, Edward Armstrong, who celebrates his sister with UAB every year by attending the stepshow.

“UAB and BSAC have such a strong commitment to honoring Cammy’s legacy and seeing that her memory is living on with the step show and is providing students with an to opportunity to pursue educational dreams,” Armstrong said.

Sharifa Wip, Black Student Awareness Committee advisor, said the students in the Black Student Awareness Committee work hard year after year to honor Camille’s legacy by organizing the show. “(Camille’s) memory has definitely made a lasting mark on UAB,” Wip said. “She was the epitome of what we like to say a Blazer is. She was a great student, she was well-involved on campus and she was loved by her peers.”

Wip said that Camille had a positive influence on the UAB students that she continues to inspire to this day.

“Her death right before graduation at such a young age 2020 Step Show Stats left such an impression at UAB,” Wip said. “It was her friends that First place sorority: Delta Sigma Theta started a scholarship in her honor to recognize her, and to support First place fraternity: Omega Psi Phi the scholarship, they created the step show.”

Second place sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha Wip said she finds importance in showing support for Camille Second place fraternity: Alpha Phi Alpha and the show as a student body.

“It’s almost our responsibility if Exhibition group: Phi Gamma Rho we want to call ourselves Blazers and be good stewards of our Camille Armstrong Memorial Scholarship time here at UAB, that we would continue to honor her legacy Recipients: Xavier Turner, Biankka Chukwuma and and to plan this show and put Charelle Lett. money into the scholarships so students can realize the dreams that (Camille) did not get the opportunity to.”

Burks said this particular step show was special Along with enjoying the performances, Wip said due to it being the third decade of holding the she encourages individuals to continue to support Camille Armstrong Memorial Step Show. the show year after year, because the ticket sales go “It just makes me proud that we’re able toward scholarships. to put this on every year, this being the “It’s a party with a purpose,” Wip said. “The money 30th year, its such a big thing,” Burks that is collected from the step show goes directly to said. “The fact that its been able a scholarship.” to keep going strong makes me Kamiyah Burks, freshman and a vendor at proud.” the step show, said she admires Armstrong and sees the value in honoring her legacy.

“I think it’s important because the same way she supported (our) community, we should also do the same thing in her honor,” Burks said.

PHOTO BY DREW CRENSHAW/PHOTO EDITOR

“The more you know of your history, the more liberated you are”

Maya Angelou Editorial Board Spring 2020 Sufia Alam Editor-in-Chief kscope@uabblazermedia.com

Emma Owen Blazer News Editor emmaowen@uab.edu

Laura Jane Stallo Copy Editor lstallo@uab.edu

Payton Parrish Video Editor paytonp@uab.edu

Drew Crenshaw Photo Editor drewc99@uab.edu

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