Courtesy of Black Student Association Facebook

The Black Student Association (BSA) will host one of its annual banquets, “Soul Food (The Black Experience),” on Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom to honor the start of Black History Month.

The banquet will include a soul food dinner, hair show, and performances by both community and student volunteers.

General Representative Eliza Woods explained soul food is “like a glimpse into the Black experience.”

Local rapper Jeremy “Jaxon” Gardner, aka JayGee, performing at the 2019 Soul Food. Courtesy of Black Student Association Facebook

“Soul food is comfort food like your collard greens, your mac n’ cheese, fried chicken, your peach cobbler,” Woods said.

Soul food goes beyond just cuisine.

“When I got here [at UMD],” Woods said, “I learned that soul food is more along the lines of stuff we enjoy as a Black community. Feeding the soul. Feeding the soul with music, dance style, community.”

It can also be a vehicle for people to make connections.

Former UMD student and Student Association President Mike Kenyanya watching a performance at the 2019 Soul Food. Courtesy of Black Student Association Facebook

Public Relations representative Elizabeth Rypa said, “it’s a time where families get together. It’s time to get to know people, meet new people.”

Rypa, along with the rest of the BSA board members, hopes people will be able to “learn about the Black experience and to have fun.”

“I just want people to know how rich it is, and how it’s more than what you think it is,” Woods said. “Like how the Black community is portrayed.”

Media can play a role in stereotypes and people’s perceptions of others. The Black community is no exception and is often subjugated to tropes that harm it.

“I want people to know what they should invest in Black creators and Black musicians, Black stylists, Black leaders,” Woods said. “It’s just a glimpse into how tightly knit the community is too.”

UMD students Elizabeth Rypa and Vaughnetta Ngaling performing with their group at the 2019 Soul Food. Courtesy of Black Student Association Facebook

Doors for “Soul Food (The Black Experience)” will open at 5 p.m. with dinner starting at 6 p.m. in the Kirby Ballroom. Tickets will be sold in Kirby Commons 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for community members. Tickets will also be sold at the door the night of the event for the same prices.

Black Student Association meets every other Wednesday at 5 p.m. Its office is located in the Multicultural Center.

SoulFood: BSA to celebrate the Black Experience through annual banquet