Celebrating Black Love

Last weekend, the Black Student League welcomed students from across the Tri-Co and other local college campuses at the annual Black History Month formal dinner-dance.

Black Love, an annual formal event held during Black History Month, brings together Black students from college campuses throughout the Philadelphia area for a night of celebration and unity in Founders Great Hall.

Haverford’s Black Student League (BSL), a student-led affinity group, collaborated this year with the College’s Student Engagement and Leadership Office and other affinity groups on campus to hold the formal on Friday, Feb. 24. The BSL board, which includes Talia Scott ’19, Qwajarik Sims ’19, Jhoneidy Javier ’19, Kiamani Wilson ’18 (who is creative director), and Alliyah Allen ’19, worked closely with Director of Student Engagement and Leadership Mike Elias to ensure a jubilant and well-planned night.

“Black love, to paraphrase the philosopher Albert Camus, is the invincible summer within each of us, shining while we stand in the middle of winter,” reads the Black Love mission statement. “We must do this together, across university campuses.”

Black Love not only encourages Black students to acknowledge their strength and love throughout history, but also inspires networking and unity across regional campuses. This year, students from throughout the Tri-College Consortium, as well as from the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Villanova University , and Harcum College, all took part in the Black Hollywood-themed party that featured performances, food, dancing, and conversation.

-Michael Weber ’19

Photos by Leigh Taylor.