The Rocky Mountain Collegian

In honor of Black History Month, Saint Louis University's Black Student Alliance has packed its February calendar with speakers, forums and activities. The events, which are open to all students, are intended to raise awareness and interest in African-American issues, said LaToya Champ, president of BSA and a senior in the John Cook School of Business. Champ stressed that all students are welcomed and encouraged to attend Black History Month events, not just black students or members of BSA. "We want to bring in a mixed crowd, so everyone has the opportunity to experience what goes on in our culture-to learn a little bit more about us and hopefully help them understand more," Champ said. "It's good for everyone to come out and take advantage of the opportunities that we have to learn about each other."BSA's next event will be "Digging for Roots: Genealogy" on Friday, Feb. 10, in Busch Student Center room 251. "It's an opportunity for students to trace back their roots and their heritage," Champ said. She said that any student's ancestry can be traced, not just black students', as long as he or she knows the county in which his or her parents were born. "It's for everyone, for free," she said.On Sunday, Feb. 12, BSA is hosting "Soul Food/Jazz Night" at Allied Health, at 6 p.m. The evening will start off to the tune of a jazz band, complemented by a meal of "traditional African-American-style" food, Champ said. "Fried chicken, greens, yams. It's called 'soul food' because they say we put our soul in it when we cook it," she said. This night of smooth music and scrumptious food comes at a bargain price of $5; students can either buy tickets in advance or at the door. Champ praised the food and also hinted at the likely possibility of dancing: "It's an opportunity to experience something that's traditional among us, as far as food and music."On Tuesday, Feb. 21, BSA is hosting keynote speaker Ken Carter, known as Coach Carter, in BSC 172-173, at 7 p.m. When Carter became coach of Richmond High School's basketball program, in Richmond, Calif., he realized that many of the team members were struggling with academics, Champ said."He made them sign a contract that said that, if they continued to play, they'd have to improve their grades," she said. When 15 of the players didn't live up to the academic standards set forth by the contract, Carter decided to take drastic measures. "He had a lockout from the gym until the next season," Champ said."It was a big deal because a lot of people expected their kids to live through playing basketball rather than having the knowledge. He had a plan to get this team together educationally. He taught his players how it's important to be a team off the court, how it's important to give back to the community."BSA will present a showing of the 2005 film Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, the week before Carter's speech.On Thursday, Feb. 23, BSA will host a political forum, at which state representatives and aldermen will come to speak about legislation that affects students, said Champ.A "Multicultural Weekend" is also on the calendar, featuring a skating party on Friday, Feb. 17, and a Harambee Ball on Saturday, Feb. 18. Champ said the weekend is partly intended as a welcoming gesture for potential Martin Luther King, Jr. scholars, who will be here for their interviews that weekend."It's an opportunity for them to already know someone here and to learn about the school from a student perspective rather than just an administrative perspective."Most people just think that BSA is just for blacks, but it's not. It's open to everyone. It's a welcoming environment," Champ said, with a smile. She said that all students of African-American descent are automatically considered members of BSA, but that students of any ethnic background are encouraged to join. The group has about 500 students, out of which 150 are active members. Although BSA holds the bulk of its speakers, events and activities during Black History Month, the group is active all year round, both planning occasions of their own and cosponsoring events with other student organizations. On April 23, BSA will hold a fashion show to raise money, which will be donated to a particular charity, Champ said. For those interested in participating, the first meeting about the show is on Feb. 13, in Kelly Auditorium, at 8 p.m. Students need not provide their own outfits; different stores around the area are lending clothes to be used for the event. "Just bring your body," she said.

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