Adriana Dueck
The Corsair
The African American Student Organization hosted the first student-produced Black History month event at Pensacola State College on Feb. 27. The First Annual Black History Program featured a line-up of events ranging from poetry readings and dances to spoken word and speeches. The spirit of the event was fueled by the student’s pride in their history as well as an excitement to be trailblazers on their own campus and within their own social groups.
“I always wanted to do a black history production for the city,” Torrance Rease, vice-president of A.A.S.A said. “There were many tears and sweat involved in the creative project. I was stressed and ready to give up but I still kept going but I kept going because I had a dream to do a Black History program here in Pensacola.”
The production was the brain child of Rease, who had been trying since high school to put together a black history program in Pensacola. Even though there were many things that kept him from putting on a production he never gave up, and the fruit of his efforts and labors with other members of the club could be seen on Monday night.
“I doesn’t matter whether you are big, small, whoever you are,” Rease said in an effort to encourage students to become more socially involved on campus. “Knock on doors and get connected with people of like minds. Believe in yourself and you can do it.”
“This program was several weeks in the making,” club president Veronica De Voe-Goldsmith said. “It’s been a lot of brainstorming with student leaders, A.A.S.A members, cooperation from SGA, and help from our advisors. Once we got the idea of what we wanted to do then we tied up all the loose ends, and got permission from Dr. Meadows, we were ready to begin. It’s a lot of hours and thought, and heartache, and tears, but we got the job done. If students want to get started and help others in the community start talking, get your voice heard, and you will find the right person.”
“The program was excellent and played out wonderfully,” Keturah Blackwell, a club member, said. “I love being a member of the black community here on campus and putting the word out that the organization is here.”