Black Excellence Week highlights Black History Month celebration

For the first time, the Circle of Sisters and Men of Color Alliance joined together to host a Black Excellence Week in celebration of Black History Month.

Gaby Montes, ’20, said the week began Feb. 11 with a fundraiser at Hot Plate Soul Kitchen and will end Saturday with the Black Excellence Dance. She said the week is a way for students across all races and ethnicities to come together and celebrate Black History Month and the accomplishments of minorities.

Princess Scott, ’20, said some of the events, such as Monday’s “Let’s Talk About Relationships” talk, are relatable for all students. She said other events, like Tuesday’s “Can’t Rough Up My Kinks,” appeared to be more focused for individuals of color, but also promoted self love for everyone.

Montes said during Thursday’s “Why I’m Excellent” event, students will have the opportunity to take professional head shots and take additional pictures holding a sign on which they can state why they’re excellent.  

“I feel like this week is just embracing who you are, because sometimes it’s hard to do that with the way society views some things,” Scott said.

This is the first major event the Circle of Sisters is hosting, and Scott said the group hopes to increase its presence on campus with more events and a wider range of participants.

The events are open to everyone, and the Circle of Sisters and Men of Color Alliance hope more students  partake in the activities.

“Last year (Circle of Sisters) was more of a relaxing ‘come to distress’ type of group, which was good,” Scott said, “but now we’re trying to become a bigger presence on campus and hold more events where more women will be able to join and talk about problems they’re facing on campus or personally.”