Black Student Association hosts first event of fall semester

Friday evening, students joined Lipscomb’s Black Student Association (BSA) for a night of food, laughter and trivia.

The event, called Kickback, was BSA’s first of the semester. From 5-7 p.m. in the Office of Intercultural Development, the group hosted over 30 students for three rounds of games and pizza. 

President LaMahria Sydnor wanted the event to be an early opportunity to create community on campus. 

“Starting a new school year, it can be difficult and also challenging and, sometimes, nerve-wracking to make new friends and maybe find people,” Sydnor said. “That’s all this event was about: just to get to know one another, have fun, let loose, be yourself.”

The evening started with speed friending, a playful twist on speed dating. Attendees were paired together and given prompts, such as their dream vacation or most irrational fear. After each question, they had to find someone new to talk to.

A heated game of This or That followed the speed friending. Participants were forced to pick a side in categories such as food, lifestyle and music. Passionate debates over Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake, mac and cheese vs candied yams, and streetwear vs dressing up ensued.

For staff advisor Jose Brown, getting students to open up was the goal of Kickback. “We wanted to put together an event where students that are interested in BSA get together,” said Brown. “And just, especially in the first week… see that they’re not alone on campus.”

BSA closed out the event with a Black History Trivia. Students tested their knowledge about African American trailblazers such as Toni Morrison and Thurgood Marshall. 

In between the games, students chatted over R&B classics with cups of soda in hand. The event drew students from all class years and majors.

While Kickback marked BSA’s first event of the semester, it is far from the last. The organization plans on coordinating professional development and wellness workshops for members. They also want to continue hosting fun community-building events, like Kickback.

“We want to do some other events around anything the students want,” said Brown. “They want to do skate nights. They want to have events with trail rides. We have ideas for game nights, as well.”

This semester, BSA plans on having a bigger presence than ever on campus. “We’re really just putting ourselves out there,” said Sydnor. “Making it known that we are here and that we are welcome to all and any students. We’re just here to have fun! We’re here to build community and relationships.”

BSA’s next event will be a cowboy-themed cookout on Friday, Sept. 4.