AU students were treated to an early Thanksgiving dinner Sunday evening during the Black Student Alliance's Third Annual Soul Food Dinner, which included fried chicken, turkey, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and peach and apple cobbler.
Henry Soul Food, a restaurant located in Mitchellsville, Md., donated the food for the BSA's event, which about 60 students attended in McDowell Formal Lounge.
"I went to the dinner last year," said attendee Janyelle Thomas, a sophomore in Kogod School of Business. "I even came prepared with two bottles of hot sauce ... I'm excited and hyped to eat some good soul food."
Melva Jones, program coordinator for Multicultural Affairs, attended the dinner to support AU students.
"The dinner is a nice community service component. It's great to support the young leadership here at AU," Jones said.
Students and faculty who chose to partake in the dinner had to pay $5 or donate two canned food items and $3 in order to benefit the homeless in D.C.
Anthony Tellish, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs, chose to attend the dinner with friends.
"I came out with my friends to support Ashley Brown who is a member of the
BSA e-board," Tellish said. "I also wanted to experience soul food at its finest."
BSA adviser David E. Owens of the Multicultural Affairs Office attended the dinner to be supportive of the students who planned the dinner. "Not to mention, I came to enjoy some good food," Owens said.
The BSA Soul Food Dinner has had a strong history, said Brandy Pratt, a graduate student and 2001-2002 BSA president. According to Pratt, who came to AU in 1999, a soul food dinner was held every year but one during the four years she was an undergraduate.
"The BSA was very strong in the late '70s," Pratt said. "They had their own newspaper and the Soul Food dinner was a very strong component of BSA events."
Nadia Trowers, sophomore and current president of the BSA, spoke before dinner was served. Trowers thanked the individuals who helped plan the dinner and everyone who attended the event.
"The intent of the BSA is to serve as a support system and communication
vehicle for students of color," Trowers said during her speech.
This past semester, the BSA has held an ice cream social, a party in the University Club, and various community service events.
Future BSA events include a Mic Night, where poets can come and share their poetry, and chances to design a T-shirt for the Black Student Alliance.
