Malik ”Malik Elijah The Poet” Fland, freshman art major presented his poem “Syergy,” at the sixth annual Culture Shock.
Breshon Foster/The Lion's Roar

Project P.U.L.L presented a variety of performers in their annual Culture Shock talent show. The ‘Thriller’ themed show allowed poets, singers and rappers  to express themselves on stage .

As students gathered together in the Student Union Theater on Oct. 24, at 5:30 p.m. for Project P.U.L.L.’s sixth annual Culture Shock, a DJ played tunes that filled the theater. 

“Our organization Project P.U.L.L. is under a multi-cultural administration,” said Lela Taylor, Project P.U.L.L. Coordinator. “We try to bring all cultures together by having a talent show that showcases the many cultures we have throughout campus through expressions of singing, rapping and poetry.”

“There were dozens of people pouring in the theater I think it’s going to be a big turn out,” said Diamond Lee, freshman biology major. “Its only 6:30 and a lot of people are showing up I came last year, and I enjoyed it so I made sure I came back. I’m excited.”

During the show, there was a Juju on that Beat Challenge where six audience members were chosen out of the crowd to participate. The challenge was inspired by the social media dance craze. There were 13 acts with a short intermission in between.

The performers were picked from auditions that had taken place earlier in the month. Some auditioned in person and some via video email. 

“I wasn’t able to make it to the auditions, but I auditioned for the show through video,” said Turbo Geudeaox, a junior marketing major.

Most of the performers had deep meanings in their performances. Some were just excited to be able to showcase their talents in front of the student body. The talent show gave them the chance to be heard.

“The inspiration, first off, was I hadn’t performed on campus before,” said Chambria Harrison, a sophomore communication major. “I kind of wanted to get my name out there also and let people know that I am here.”

The audience members at Culture Shock enjoyed themselves and even gained personal inspiration from the performances.

“I enjoyed myself,” said Taylor Williams, a freshman athletic training major. “The rapping and the singing was just a nice experience. The performers inspired me to be myself. Just coming on to a college campus can be scary, but I’ve opened up more.”

Not only did the crowd find the show as an inspiration, the artists did as well. Some found weak and strong points of their character and performances.

“If I could change anything, it would be rememorizing my piece,” said Geudeaox. “I feel that I am a stronger poet when my pieces are memorized. My poems help me express the real me.”

Project P.U.L.L. changed minor things such as the theme and their way of reaching out to people.

“This year we decided to do a ‘Thriller’ Halloween theme,” said La’Sheika Weatherspoon, a junior elementary education major. “The theme was chosen to celebrate Halloween, and it puts people in the holiday spirit with Halloween being right around the corner.”

For information on Culture Shock, contact Project P.U.L.L. at [email protected].

Project P.U.L.L. held multiple performances where students had the chance to showcase their talents. 
Breshon Foster/The Lion's Roar