Students from across Louisiana came together to celebrate the Third Annual Black History Month Black College Reunion on the campus of Southern University on Saturday afternoon.
The reunion was organized by the Southern University Student Government Association and the Louisiana State University Black History Council.
“It’s an atmosphere where we can all come together,” said Ottis Brown, Jr., SU SGA activities coordinator.
The NAACP, Coca-Cola, Tabasco, Red Bull and Perfect 10 Productions sponsored the event. Many of the students in attendance represented SU, LSU, Xavier University, Dillard University and Grambling State University as well as Baton Rouge Community College.
“I attended the first reunion, but not the second. The third has been nice,” said Aminah Wright, a senior architecture major from St. Louis. “I think it’s good that it’s finally at Southern so that we have a chance to show Southern hospitality.”
Students enjoyed free food and sodas, games and contests, music and dancing. Prizes were given to organizations that that had the best barbecue and side dishes.
“I think that if it was indoors, it may have been better. It was still a good positive environment,” said Julius McIntyre, a junior mass communications major from Sacramento.
Live performances were also a highlight of the reunion. Artists and groups, Box, Jack and Big Slim, Ken G and Bionic performed on the main stage.
Baton Rouge’s own The Jiggalators, also performed songs from their album including the hit song, “Jiggalate.”
In respect for the historical significance of Black History Month, the group Elysian Fields sang a duet of the Negro National Anthem.
“I had a nice time and it was good to get together for the afternoon. Everyone got along and there wasn’t any fighting,” said Andrew Osaya, a sophomore at Grambling. “It was one big family.”
