Limousines will be making rounds on North and South campuses on Saturday evening, and though it might be easy to mistake them for movie stars, the fancily clad people entering these limo's will be none other than UB students on their way to Black Explosion.
Cristo Benedit, a senior communication major and the president of Black Student Union, said those who plan on attending Black Explosion should look forward to an evening of fashion, good food, and music.
"People can expect to be greeted and seated, have a fabulous meal and a beautiful desert," he said kissing his fingers in the air making an appreciative sound.
The Black Explosion, an event put on by the Black Student Union, celebration includes dinner - served at 6:30 p.m. - and a fashion segment with designer clothing modeled by UB students and those from other schools in Buffalo including high schools.
According to Tiffany Choice, a senior geography major, and one of the coordinators of Black Explosion, the fashion show will feature apparel from student designers, Ariel Grayson, a junior communication major, and Tosha Groves, a junior medical technologies major, as well as from professional designers on the national and local scale. Adding to the atmosphere of the
DJ Mohamed "Mr. Illmatic" Ango, a graduate student will be adding to the evening's celebratory atmosphere with his disc jockeying skills.
While the coordinators make it clear that everyone is welcome to the event, for some, Black Explosion's emphasis on a coming together of a group of people that gives it some of its appeal.
"This is one of the biggest events within the black community. Everyone wants to go to it," said Willena Ludd, a junior business major.
Getting dressed up, eating a catered meal and enjoying a fashion show featuring their peers has some students excited about this culmination of events to celebrate the closing of Black History Month. Others are aware of another of Black Explosion's purposes.
"People go to have a good time," said junior sociology and theater major, Shaniqua Henry, "and this year I know for a fact that it is going to a very good cause."
According to Benedit, BSU is always on the look out for a good cause. Ten percent of this year's Black Explosion proceeds will go to community services fighting AIDS in the community.
Though many have marked their calendars and have picked out the perfect outfit, some believe an emphasis should be placed on ensuring that the fashion show does not come across as gratuitous.
"Our society now seems to be pushing the envelop on what people can do in terms of what clothes people can wear, how they look, hairstyles etc. etc. I don't have any problem with it as long as it is in good taste," said Professor James Pappas, an Associate Professor of the African American Studies Department of the type of apparel that might show up on the runway.
Deidrea Bryan, a senior psychology major and a part time professional model said she modeled in the show last year and made her own decisions about where her level of comfort on stage.
"Last year's show they asked who wanted to wear thongs, and I didn't want to do that," said Bryan. "As long as I feel I'm not disrespecting myself it does not bother me."
While Bryan said she made her decisions and still enjoyed modeling in the show enough to do it again this year.
According to Choice the nature of any fashion show involves things that might no be pleasing to the very prudish.
"If you look at a true fashion show you see people who are wearing exotic and erotic clothing that you would not see on anyone at any given point in time. That is the feel this year to showcase new and different designs that people are not used to seeing."
Choice said the show will be enjoyable to all who come, but mostly to those who can recognize, understand and appreciate its significance.
"Black Explosion is an event that's been planned for a few year now by BSU to cap off Black History Month it's a celebration for all people predominantly black people to come together and share culture."
Black Explosion will be held at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo on Saturday. Tickets are on sale for $22 in advance and $25 at the door.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
