African American culture on display at SOUL: Night of the Arts

African American culture gleamed Friday night during SOUL: Night of the Arts, a Liberty University Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) event that celebrates afro-centric culture through art, vocal performance, and dance.

The Alumni Ballroom, illuminated by LED color-filters, housed the two-hour event that welcomed over 300 attendees, including a sea of College for a Weekend (CFAW) students, and alumni.

Canvas acrylics, abstract, and realism sketches and paints by students were displayed on long tables in the back of the room. Onstage, students performed a steady balance of vocal arts — both original and cover — ranging from poetry and spoken word to rap, R&B, soul, and gospel.

The room sustained a firm number of guests as performances bled past midnight. Chips and dip, wraps, cheesecake, veggie trays, and water provided light refreshment for students throughout the evening.

ASAD, a dance team associated with the African Student Club at Liberty, heightened the mood with fast-paced, African-influenced dancing.

“I think it’s amazing that Liberty and the Office of Equity and Inclusion have given us the opportunity to express ourselves as young minorities and given us a platform where we can use our voices,” said senior business student Matt McPherson, who performed one of the first spoken word segments of the evening. “The atmosphere was great, super welcoming ,and open. … I messed up a few times, but everyone just kept cheering me on and letting me continue. It was really great.”

For each event like this, OIE donates the proceeds to a specific group, with the night’s funds going toward ASAD’s 2020 Fashion Show.

Junior Zakiya Ross, a project management and cinematic arts student who performed the closing performance with gospel music, said she was thankful to see multiple cultures joining in to celebrate black culture.

“I didn’t know what to expect before I came,” she said. “I didn’t even know these types of events were here at Liberty. So, me knowing now, it means everything. When I first came to Liberty, I wanted to be a part of something where I felt comfortable. I couldn’t really find that until tonight.”

The Office of Equity and Inclusion is responsible for recognizing and organizing events for African American History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Women’s History Month, among other times throughout the year.

“It’s important that we get outside of our bubble, our comfort zones, and we remember to embrace culture,” said Quan McLaurin, Director of Diversity Retention. “I was very happy by the turnout. These students are really great. They give me the energy to do what I do.”

He said the spirit from Friday’s event should continue.

“Even though Black History Month is the month of February, that doesn’t mean we should stop for the rest of the year. We should definitely be celebrating and really getting in touch with black culture throughout the year.”

OEI is working with the Career Center and SGA to host the Limitless Women’s Summit March 11 at the Center for Music & Worship Arts Concert Hall. For more information about OEI, visit Liberty.edu/oei.