Black Student-Athlete Alliance Hosts Community-Building Event
December 08, 2022 | General, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
SEATTLE - The University of Washington Black Student-Athlete Alliance (BSAA), in partnership with the Black Student Commission (BSC) and the African Student Association (ASA) recently hosted a special community gathering surrounding the newly released movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The event welcomed Black students, staff, coaches, and faculty to a private screening of the movie, where they "walked the purple Hollywood carpet," were served food from three Black-women owned restaurants in the Seattle area, and engaged in community building and fellowship.
"My experience at the Wakanda Forever event was profound," said volleyball sophomore Sophie Summers. "It was a cultivation of black joy in our community which is what made it feel so special. It meant a lot to me to see so many beautiful people gathered to experience a powerful, strong, beautiful narrative about black and African life."
The event was one of the first of its kind in UW history, gathering and engaging all of the aforementioned groups in one space.
UW football junior Ede Ulofoshio: "I think all of us want to feel that true sense of belonging for self and that night was exactly that. Being around so many people that look like me was empowering, and not only important to me but for the little kid who didn't see too many black people growing up. I love my people, I love my culture, I wish I could relive that moment again."
Approximately 175 people from 15 different sports and departments attended the event including Summers, Ulofoshio, Michael Penix Jr., Elijah Mason, Jamal Bey, Ilijah Paul, and Trinity Oliver.
Dr. Alexes Harris was among the faculty attendees, proclaiming, "The gathering to watch the Wakanda movie was wonderful. In all of my 29 years at the UW I've never been in a room with so much joy, fellowship and Black staff, faculty and students (outside of Black graduation). Events like these are so important to build community, to identify safe spaces, to make connections and networks and to celebrate our perseverance. Thank you so much to Sheridan Blanford and others who made this event happen."
Visit the Washington Athletics DEI webpage for highlights of more diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The event welcomed Black students, staff, coaches, and faculty to a private screening of the movie, where they "walked the purple Hollywood carpet," were served food from three Black-women owned restaurants in the Seattle area, and engaged in community building and fellowship.
"My experience at the Wakanda Forever event was profound," said volleyball sophomore Sophie Summers. "It was a cultivation of black joy in our community which is what made it feel so special. It meant a lot to me to see so many beautiful people gathered to experience a powerful, strong, beautiful narrative about black and African life."
The event was one of the first of its kind in UW history, gathering and engaging all of the aforementioned groups in one space.
UW football junior Ede Ulofoshio: "I think all of us want to feel that true sense of belonging for self and that night was exactly that. Being around so many people that look like me was empowering, and not only important to me but for the little kid who didn't see too many black people growing up. I love my people, I love my culture, I wish I could relive that moment again."
Approximately 175 people from 15 different sports and departments attended the event including Summers, Ulofoshio, Michael Penix Jr., Elijah Mason, Jamal Bey, Ilijah Paul, and Trinity Oliver.
Dr. Alexes Harris was among the faculty attendees, proclaiming, "The gathering to watch the Wakanda movie was wonderful. In all of my 29 years at the UW I've never been in a room with so much joy, fellowship and Black staff, faculty and students (outside of Black graduation). Events like these are so important to build community, to identify safe spaces, to make connections and networks and to celebrate our perseverance. Thank you so much to Sheridan Blanford and others who made this event happen."
Visit the Washington Athletics DEI webpage for highlights of more diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Players Mentioned
Thr
/ Track & Field
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Men's Soccer
QB
/ Football
MB
/ Volleyball
LB
/ FootballAsian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Gymnastics
Tuesday, June 03
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Men's Soccer
Tuesday, June 03
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Women's Golf
Tuesday, June 03
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Women's Soccer
Tuesday, June 03
