The seventh annual Creighton University African-American Student Association Soul Food Dinner kicked off its theme of Home Sweet Hollywood with soul food and a variety of performances in the Skutt Student Center Ballroom on Feb. 22 from 7-8:30 p.m.
The CUASA event celebrated Black History and traditional African-American food, known as soul food, said CUASA Moderator Melissa Patterson Hazley.
The buffet of authentic soul foods included macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, red beans and rice, pork chops, cornbread and peach cobbler prepared by Sodexo.
The evening consisted of several notable performances presented by CUASA members, interspersed with awards given to influential African-American actors and actresses chosen by CUASA.
The performances included a rendition of Beyoncé’s “Listen,” a choreographed dance to Dream Girls, a reenactment of a Cosby Show episode, a tribute to deceased actors and actresses and a closing dance of the electric slide, where the audience was encouraged to join.
Every CUASA member either presented or took part in some aspect of the show, said CUASA President and Business senior Jamal Jackson.
In the past, the event sometimes comprised of dinner and a speaker, but this year CUASA focused on membership participation to give everyone a chance to show what they are a part of, Jackson said.
“The advertisement committee worked diligently and efficiently to spread the word through fliers, Facebook and word-of-mouth,” said Arts & Sciences junior Mehgan Nolan, chair of the advertisement committee.
“We started sooner to ensure good attendance.”
Eric Immel, assistant director of Student Activities–Greek Life and a first-time attendee, heard about the event through e-mails and friends.
“The event was awesome, the food was delicious and I really enjoyed seeing the students put on a great show,” Immel said. “Although I may need to brush up on the electric slide before I go next time.”
Seating at the Soul Food Dinner was almost completely full. About 170 people turned out for the event, which drew students, faculty, staff, parents and other members of the community.
“We had a really good turnout from people with all different backgrounds and races,” said Arts & Sciences freshman and CUASA member Audri Edmonds.
“People who don’t eat soul food were impressed with the authenticity and taste.”
“We received a lot of positive feedback,” Hazley said. “A lot of people said they had a really good time.”
The Soul Food Dinner tradition began in the 1970s and 1980s, but only in the last seven have the dinners been consecutive, Jackson said.
The next annual event by CUASA is the Step-Show on April 17 at Omaha North High School.