African-Caribbean Society Hosts Year End Gala
On April 1, the University of New Brunswick’s African-Caribbean Society (ACS) hosted its final event of the year. The evening entailed a semi-formal Gala, which was held in the Student Union Building.
Gala attendees take their seats at the beginning of the night. (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
The Gala was to celebrate all members of the African community and honour each individual’s cultural background. The event’s turnout was a success, hosting over 150 students from different parts of Africa. Students from both UNB and Saint Thomas were invited to attend, but the invite was open to everyone who paid for a ticket.
ACS did not exclude students from attending the event. The event was to celebrate African culture, but people of all races were in attendance. Third-year student Saron Tefera, who attended the event with her friends, was happy to see the diversity and inclusion of all.
Saron Tefera [in red] sitting with her friends. (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
“It was really great to see the inclusion,” Said Tefera. “Even if the event was marketed towards Africans, that doesn’t mean anyone can’t appreciate everything and have a fun evening.”
Tefera’s classmate Bilal Hussain would have never known about the event if not for his friends. He was honoured to attend with his friends and enjoyed the festivities.
ACS also catered food for the evening, having students help hand out the food to guests. The menu included chicken, seasoned rice, potatoes, and cooked vegetables. There were also snacks and beverages for afterwards.
Gala attendees assist in serving food. (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
Along with the food and beverages provided by ACS, there was also live entertainment. ACS sought out musicians, singers, and dancers to help create a lively environment. Several students were putting their talents on full display, expressing their culture through song and dance.
ACS member Ufuoma Akalusi was one of the primary contributors to the event coming to life. She along with her colleagues was proud of everyone who contributed to the night being a success.
“I was very happy that we were able to get live entertainment for us; everyone who performed was incredible and well received by the ACS and the audience,” said Akalusi, a fourth-year Law undergraduate.
Ufuoma Akalusi shouting out the gala’s sponsors. (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
Akalusi, who’s in her final year of education at UNB, is saddened by this being her final planned event for ACS. She and the majority of the committee will be graduating in April. This will leave next year’s ACS committee without any seniority.
But Ufuoma does not fear for society’s future, knowing there will always be those willing to carry on ACS’s beliefs for years to come.
“I do not fear ACS will die after my friends and I graduate,” said Akalusi. “There will always be proud Africans who will step up long after I am gone.”
Student performers entertain the attendees. (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
Because ACS is run by a student body, it will be up to the next group of students to continue promoting events. With the success of the gala, ACS hopes to put on more events like this throughout the year.
Nada Hamid, a third-year science student has been a part of ACS for two years now. She will be picking up where Ufuoma and the other graduates left off in the fall with a new group of students. Hamid works as the social media representative, promoting all ACS events on Facebook and Instagram. She is open to having a different role in the fall but is okay with staying on as a media coordinator.
“I enjoyed my position as media coordinator, but if needed I would take on another role in the fall, we’ll see what the future brings,” said Hamid.
Nada Hamid sitting with friends Andy Jin & Bilal Husain (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
ACS has always strived to enlighten black culture to those who may not experience it. It’s a club that has gained a lot of traction since Ufuoma Akalusi took over during her first year.
“I barely knew what ACS was in my first year, there were little to no events going on,” said Akalusi.
Fredericton is a city whose African community is small, but prominent. There are many Africans who find themselves not belonging to a community or feeling their culture will be lost by living in a predominantly white society.
By holding the gala, Akalusi hoped it would ensure those around her African culture were properly represented at her school.
Students performing traditional African music. (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
It is still to be determined who next year’s ACS committee will be. The selection process will begin during the first week of the fall semester but could be as early as the middle of the summer.
“I was added to the team during the summer last year so I assume we will look for people during that time period,” said Hamid. 
Gala attendees singing Afro beats. (Jake Wightman, Saint Thomas Journalism)
ACS hopes to continue the tradition of hosting monthly events in the following year in hopes that students of African descent will be interested in participating.
