As Black History Month comes to a close this week, hundreds of UB students clad in chic formalwear descended on the Hyatt Regency Hotel Saturday night for an evening of fashion, food and entertainment at the Black Student Union's Black Explosion celebration.
A mixture of rap, reggae and R&B music filled the Hyatt's ballroom as participants danced in their chairs and sang along.
"We've had a great showing," said Kelly Carmon, Black Explosion activities coordinator and a senior geology major. "About 450 people came out to support the BSU."
The event was not without its somber side, as BSU member John Flannigan took the stage to announce that 10 percent of proceeds from the event would go to the AIDS Community Services of Western New York.
"AIDS is proportionally pronounced in the African-American community, and we need to help curb the epidemic in any way we can," Flannigan said.
Though it seemed almost out of place in the middle of the evening's celebratory atmosphere, to many participants the charity was more important than any entertainment BSU could have offered.
"I loved that so many people showed up to support BSU," said Tiffany Bates, a freshman political science major. "But moreover, the fact that 10 percent of all profits will be donated to charity really impresses me and makes me proud that I was a part of it."
Following Flannigan, Griff - a popular comedian from BET's "Comic View" - stole the show as the event's host and emcee, energizing the crowd with a range of jokes about race, Buffalo and the crowd itself.
"The emcee was perfect for the event," said Ashli Melvin, a freshman Spanish major. "He was funny and involved the audience throughout the entire night."
For the rest of the night, comedy, dance, and fashion shared the spotlight as Griff introduced the fashions of nine different designers to the stage's runway. Among the crowd's favorite desginers were Nich?(c), Tikia Jerome's Tasty Tees and UB's own Ariel Grayson, a senior English and communication major.
Grayson's designs had a denim theme. Cut off jeans, tops and skirts contributed to the provocative nature of her fashion. Sexy knee-high leather boots topped off many models' outfits and added to the risqu?(c) but unique dynamic of Grayson's work.
Many of the other designers used denim, as well as animal prints and national flags in provocative designs for both men and women that wowed the crowd.
"I loved Queen Nianza's dresses and tops that were made out of black lace. They were sexy but not too over-the-top," said Erica Hood, a junior communication major.
"The models came out with the energy and attitude that pervades with the liveliness of their clothes," Hood added.
Midway through the fashion show, performers from UB's Dance Department took the stage, spinning, kicking and break dancing to a medley of Mya, Marcus Houston, Missy Elliot and Ludacris.
The end of the dancing and fashion show did not mean the end of the night. After the entertainment at the Hyatt wrapped up, an after-party was held at Club Mecca featuring DJ Illmatic.
Earlier, the night kicked off with a performance of the Black National Anthem by UB's Gospel Choir and a chicken dinner.
"I cleaned my entire plate. Everyone did. The food was just so good," said Bates.
Overall, the night's organizers and participants alike deemed this year's Black Explosion a stellar success.
"I liked the outfits a lot," said John Anthony Yakita, a senior undecided major. "It reminded me of Sean John and Rocawear, but with hipper and more youthful designs. The night was so much fun."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
