The Association of Black Students hosted the inaugural Black Excellence Ball Tuesday night in the Hughes-Trigg ballrooms. The program included art, dinner and reflective conversation on Black History Month.
“Ponder how relevant the dream is today,” Junior A’Riee Gatlin said in a welcome recapping the organization’s black history month programs.
Guests enjoyed a three-course meal and address by SMU adjunct professor, Dr. Njoki McElroy. Known for her skills as a playwright, storyteller and performer, McElroy dramatically recounted tales from her childhood to demonstrate the obstacles African-Americans had to overcome in the 1900s.
“If we give up because of obstacles, life has no meaning,” McElroy said.
Executive Director of Student Development & Programs Jennifer Jones appreciated McElroy’s presence and triumphed her stories as the “epitome of history.”
“She has so much to share. It’s so benefitting to have her here,” Jones said. “This is the best way to wrap up the black history month program.”
From the ’30s, McElroy noted riding on a Jim Crow train in January after a fire ruined her original home. Unable to find housing in the overcrowded ghettos of Chicago, she settled near Sherman, Texas where she witnessed a great race riot months later.
From the ’40s, she described going on a double-date with the first African American to play major league baseball, Jackie Robinson.
Her husband, a former Tuskegee Airmen, served as an example of African American’s service in World War II in the later half of the decade.
McElroy had stories from nearly every decade and advised the audience to read her book “1012 Natchez” for more. She challenged the intimate crowd to preserve their stories to create “our story” instead of “history.”
“My generation is disappearing and many of the stories have gone with them,” she said. “Never give up. Never give up. Never give up! You must keep the stories alive and keep hope alive.”
The audience applauded her address and the monologue, music and dance that rounded out the night.
Junior Isake Slaughter performed a selection from a Tyler Perry film “For Colored Girls.”
“One thing I don’t need is any more apologies. I got sorry greeting me at my front door. You can keep yours,” Slaughter said. “They don’t open doors or bring the sun back. They don’t make me happy. Save your ‘sorry.'”
The program took a musical turn with an acoustic version of Maroon 5’s top hit “Sunday Morning.” The piano and drum ensemble included freshman Michael Pittman, Leslie Pittman and SMU alum Cornell Lacy.
“It’s an honor to be playing for you all tonight,” Pitman said.
The night ended with a special dance from the Meadows Spring 2012 Brown Bag Showcase choreographed by freshman Shauna Davis. SMU alum Lewis White was glad he attended the ball.
“I wasn’t going to come at first, but I was enticed by the atmosphere and program,” he said. “It’s a great thing to just pay tribute to Black excellence.”
