Black ‘n’ Black Mixer: A celebration of community and culture
Students and faculty share various dishes across the African diaspora at the Black N’ Black Mixer hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. Photo by Jerry Pleasant III.
Jacián Perez, Contributing Writer
Students of all backgrounds gathered at Virginia Commonwealth University to celebrate Black History Month with a feast featuring a variety of African and African American dishes at the Black ‘n’ Black Mixer, held Feb. 18.
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs in collaboration with the Black Education Association and the Division of Inclusive Influence, provided students a space to connect while enjoying food that highlights Black culture.
RaJade M. Berry-James, Ph.D., senior associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government, said that community-building events like this are important.
“I think that it’s one of the ways that we break down barriers and silos — sometimes we’re so busy and committed to the work we do in our colleges and schools that we don’t get a chance to just be in community. And I think that’s what this event is all about. Food is culture,” Berry-James said.
With 38 years of experience in higher education, Berry-James highlights the shift in how people connect within multicultural affairs. She said that in the 1980s, connection meant gathering around a table and recognizing that everyone deserved a place, with a shared responsibility to foster belonging. Today, she observes that social media has broadened the scope of connection, extending it beyond physical spaces to a global scale.
OMSA was founded in 1988 and created as a result of Black VCU students’ needs for support and resources, according to their website. In 1996, they shifted to include Latino students, further serving more underrepresented minority groups. In 2006, they expanded again, to include LGBTQ+ students. Today, they regularly host workshops and presentations with a focus on diversity, inclusion and community.
Joshua Lockhart, associate director of OMSA, said the office hosts this gathering annually and regularly holds similar events to recognize cultural heritage months throughout the year.
Jair Lecky, a three-time VCU alumnus and program director for the Men of Color Initiative, said the diversity of Black culture was represented through food at the event.
“For some people, eating food that reminds them of home is really important,” Lecky said. “With this event, we wanted to highlight that Black people exist all around the world — and you can see that in the food we serve. It’s not just American food; we also feature West African dishes.”
The MOC Initiative offers comprehensive, inclusive programs aimed at supporting the success of underrepresented and minority male students, according to their website. By providing mentorship, building community connections and collaborating with key stakeholders, the initiative creates opportunities to enhance belonging, academic performance, professional growth and social networks for first and second-year men of color.
Among those in attendance was Jasmine Turner, third-year health sciences student and VCU Homecoming court contender, who said events like the Black ‘n’ Black Mixer are significant, particularly in today’s political climate.
“I just feel like, especially with the times we’re in — with politics and everything — just being together and building community is the most important part,” Turner said. “Right now, all we have is each other, and we have to lean on each other. Black History Month is a time where we can do that the most because it is our month.”
Students interested in attending future OMSA events can visit omsa.vcu.edu for a full calendar of events. They can also follow @vcuomsa on Instagram or check their Linktree for updates and links to RAMS Connect pages for upcoming events.
