On February 23, 2024, the Bucknell Black Student Union (BSU) once again captivated audiences with their thirteenth annual Fashion Show. Under the theme of “Young, Gifted, and Black,” the event was a celebration of Black excellence, creativity, and resilience. As the curtains rose, attendees were treated to a spectacle that seamlessly blended entertainment, artistry, and cultural pride. The evening kicked off with performances by Reese and Quentin, whose poignant poems and monologues eloquently conveyed the message that Blackness is multifaceted and cannot be confined to a single narrative.
Reese’s rendition of The Average Black Girl by Ernestine Morrison and Quentin’s powerful recital of Young, Gifted, and Black. Ernestine Morrison’s poem illustrates the nuanced facets of Black girlhood and the narrow instances in which we are accepted and “digested” by white audiences. The poem is critical of what one views as the “average Black girl” and closes out by showing the audience that ultimately we can only hope to be as extraordinary as the average Black girl. This poetic monologue along with Q’s recital of Young, Gifted, and Black set the tone for an evening dedicated to celebrating the richness and diversity of Black identity.
However, the true highlights of the night were the futuristic fashion lines presented by the BSU. “From the Mothership” transported audiences to a realm where Afrocentric patterns intertwined with elements of fantasy and science fiction, both challenging traditional notions of what it means to be Black and giving us an avenue to exist in these genres from which we are often excluded. Each garment was a testament to the pride in African heritage and the limitless possibilities of unimpeded Black creativity.
The second fashion line, “Freaks And Geeks,” paid homage to both the rebellious spirit of the 80s and the enduring resilience of Black culture. Drawing inspiration from the iconic television series, the collection featured leather, chains, platform heels, and other gothic materials for the “Freak” pieces, while the “Geek” pieces reimagined traditional school uniforms with a pop-punk twist reminiscent of revolting and anti-establishment ideals. The result was a striking and confident display of Alt-subcultures that garnered thunderous applause from the audience.
As a Griot intern, it is my rare honor to report on such instances where Black creativity may flourish. The Griot Institute takes pride in our ability to have our interns attend, report, and publish our insights on these significant annual events. Still it is to our dismay that other reporting sources at Bucknell can not or will not take the effort to dedicate an appropriate amount of space on Black Arts Fest rather than performatively having people photograph the event.
What made the Fashion Show truly special though, was its ability to transcend mere spectacle and become a platform for empowerment and representation. While there can be cause for questioning who we are performing our culture for, one cannot refute that at this moment in 2024, Fashion show and Black Arts Fest are the main forums in which Black Bucknellians can create and showcase their identity. Until events like these become more frequent in number, it is without question a staple for the Black community on campus.
Through fashion, poetry, and performance, BSU and their designers, Saniya Brown-Baptiste, Maya Hernandez, and Grace Lukan reaffirmed the importance of centering Black voices and reminding ourselves of the strides we have made to achieve in this world. As BSU’s president, Endia Scales delivered the closing speech and the final applause echoed through Larison Hall, it was clear that the thirteenth annual Fashion Show had left a lasting impression on all who attended and it is my hope that all Black Bucknellians in attendance remember this year’s theme for life; that we are Young, Gifted, and Black.