Black Cake’s On The Menu–Hulu’s Second Premiere with Mass Communications

Herbal decorations adorned Stewart Hall Auditorium with eccentric vines, decorative table cloths, and glowing centerpieces Friday, October 20 at the exclusive premiere of Black Cake by Oprah Winfrey in partnership with Hulu through the Mass Communications Department.
The atmosphere was set as attendees were welcomed into the dimmed auditorium with a complimentary copy of the New York Times Bestselling Novel, Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, which the Hulu Series is based off of. In addition to this, guests were provided caribbean indulgences such as black cake—a traditional island treat prepared by the Black Cake Company—, and Shirley Biscuits on top of a brunch menu catered by The Bayou Affect.
Participants viewed the first in a series of eight episodes to be released on Hulu on a weekly basis starting on November 1, 2023. A synopsis of the first episode provided by Hulu states: “In the late 1960’s, a runaway bride named Covey disappears into the surf off the coast of Jamaica. In present day, Eleanor Bennett, loses her battle with cancer, leaving her two estranged children a flash-drive that holds untold stories of her past.”
Vivid scenery of the caribbean sea and island culture transports viewers into the tropical world off the coasts. The riveting plot thickens as details are revealed about family secrets, personal ambitions, and a life stricken with both triumph and tragedy. Intense performances by Mia Issac as Covey, Simon Wan as Lin, and Ahmed Elhaj as Gibbs Grant, captivated the audience’s attention from every frame. The show’s creators, Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment, produced a raw, dramatic spectacle that features a diverse range of characters and settings across the globe.
Once the first episode concluded with an intriguing cliff-hanger, the audience uttered gasps before applauding with an ovation. The event’s sponsors, Jade Jones, a senior majoring in public Relations from Atlanta, Georgia, and Interim Chair of the Mass Communications Department, Dr. Yolanda Campbell, left with closing remarks and appreciation for the response and attendance of this premiere. The Digest asked them about the partnership with Hulu and their plans for the Mass Comm department.
“My thoughts are clear,” Jones states, when asked about the event planning process. “The main questions are ‘What will entice a student to stay a little longer on campus?…What elevated ideas can I bring to this event to make students want to come again?’” Jones emphasizes the importance of planning engaging events that highlight student interests. “These ARE huge partnerships for the Department of Mass Communication and the University as a whole. Our interim-chair, Dr. Yolanda Campbell has transformed the department in a short period of time in a way where students are eager to grow and excited to learn.”
When asked ‘Why Black Cake?’, Jones stated, “The story resonates with many urban communities as it sparks a larger conversation of lineage and generational gaps.” According to Jones, studios prioritize HBCUs because of the “mighty” and “impressive” way they expand awareness.
Expansion plays a big role in the plans that Mass Comm has in store. “The partnership with Hulu has afforded our Department the opportunity to truly showcase the talents of our mass communication students specifically in the area of promotion and event planning,” said Dr. Campbell when asked about the partnership. At the helm of the coordination of the events are four of the top public relations students: Erion Davison, Sarah Griffiths, and Kendall Byers, led by Jones. “As Interim Chair, it would be easy to take credit for the success of our last three film screenings as well as the relationship with Hulu. However, the congratulations goes to them, and like a proud parent, I’m content to cheer them on,” stated Dr. Campbell.
“As for what’s next for Mass Communication, my goal is to continue to listen to the voices and concerns of our students on how to improve our program,” Campbell continued. “Communications touches the fabric of every discipline across this campus and I hope to make more headway in creating interdisciplinary collaborations. There’s so much more I believe we can and will do.”
Students are also excited for whats in store for the department with Chris Hunter, a senior Mass Communications major, stating, “I think it’s good that Mass Communications is having more events and opportunities for students. Hopefully it continues so down the line more students will come to Southern for it’s Mass Comm program.”
Mass Communications hopes to keep up the momentum by providing students an outlet to experience engaging and empowering programming through the department, for the students, powered by the students.