This year's Black Excellence Ball invited Longwood students to dress up and compete through canned goods donations. On February 10, the Black Student Association (BSA) hosted its Black Excellence Ball, the second year the organization has held the event.
Students adorned formal wear and filled Soza Ballroom to celebrate Black excellence and collect cans for the local non-profit FACES Food Pantry. Performances by Pitch Perfect, Route 15 and B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Choir were met with lively and supportive responses from attendees. Furthermore, the event was catered by Bojangles.
In a keynote speech during the ball, Longwood Associate Director of Multicultural Affairs and Leadership Development, also BSA’s adviser, Quincy Goodine ‘16, said, “We’re steadfast advocates and courageous allies… the [executive board] holds a special place in many hearts. They change people’s lives and provide hope in times where it feels like it’s us against the world. They stand on the shoulders of those who have come before [them].”
Former President Myles Johnson agrees, telling The Rotunda in an interview, “Our mission [was] to continue to build and strengthen our community. Not just the Black students at Longwood, but at large… it was an appreciation of Black excellence through Black History Month.”
This event not only supported the Farmville community but also contributed to essential visibility for Black students on campus. According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, Longwood’s Black student population was at 10.4% in Fall 2023, many points lower than the state's population of 18.6% per the 2020 Census.
The ball itself was a success for BSA. “It hasn’t been done in a long time, so it kind of feels like a new feeling… people love to dress up and go to a ball and listen to good music,” said Johnson.
Back in 2016, Goodine served as the Vice President and President of BSA during his time at Longwood. “When the current executive board asked me to speak, I immediately felt the overwhelming sensation of two emotions: the first of which was, ‘Damn, I’m getting old.’ The second was nostalgia.”
Goodine believes this organization is invaluable, “If you’ve ever been a part of something special, you know exactly how I feel… my time in BSA was incredible on so many levels.”
The ball raised a great number of cans to be donated to FACES, “it was enough to almost break my back… it was quite a bit,” joked Johnson.
Look out for next year’s ball, usually held during Black History Month. To learn more about BSA, visit their Instagram at @longwood_bsa for their mission and meeting times.
