Dropping the Mic: SoundBite Dinner and Karaoke with JAB

Southern University’s Jaguar Activities Board created an event that united the campus community in a unique way: SoundBite Karaoke and Dinner. This event blended music, food, and community building, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.
Isaiah Clay, one of the co-directors of the Jaguar Activities Board and a junior majoring in marketing from White Castle, Louisiana, expressed, “SoundBite Karaoke and Dinner is a celebration of unity where our campus comes together for a night of music and fun. Name a better combo than food and music!”
SoundBite Karaoke and Dinner unfolded at Dunn Dining Hall on a Thursday, Sept 14, featuring a simple yet engaging concept – the combination of singing and campus dining. The event attracted students to the back of the campus near residential life, where a projector screen was set up at the front of the dining hall, along with a mic and speakers, creating a sort-of stage.
The evening began with a welcome from the Jaguar Activities Board, highlighting their dedication to creating a close-knit campus community. They spoke about the importance of events like SoundBite especially with academic demands to create connections among students.
The Karaoke began promptly at 8:00PM with the first selection being “Grenade” by Bruno Mars, preformed by Jamie Jacobs, a senior majoring in fashion. Immediately, the crowd began to sing along in unison, creating an atmosphere of excitement amongst the crowd.
An outstanding moment occurred when the student body came together to preform “Hellcats SRTs” by Sexy Redd at the ending of the event. The audience responded with enthusiastic screams as they rapped along to every word. This showcased how events like SoundBite can empower students to discover hidden talents and newfound confidence.
Dinner was a highlight of the evening, with late-night options like Cajun pasta, burgers, fries, and pizza served by Dunn Dining Hall workers. Conversations flowed as students savored their meals, fostering connections and playing board games provided by JAB.
One student, Ja’Mon Gracin, a junior and representative for Men’s Federation, who attended the event, shared his perspective, stating, “SoundBite provided an opportunity to break out of my shell and connect with fellow students through music. It’s an experience I won’t forget.”
As the evening came to an end, a sense of togetherness scattered the building, before the event ultimately had to get shut down due to a surplus of attendees in the crowd. The Jaguar Activities Board succeeded in creating an event that went above and beyond what students are used to, transforming a dining hall into a stage for the students to shine.
SoundBite Karaoke and Dinner may have been a one-night event, but the Jaguar Activities Board hopes the impact will have memories for students to share long after they graduate from Southern University.