Students performed at "Young, Black and Gifted" to show off their talents. Don Lawrence/The Lion's Roar

“Young, Black and Gifted” was introduced to the university to give African-American students a chance to showcase their talents.

“Young, Black and Gifted” was held on Feb. 20, 2018 in the Science and Technology Building at 5:30 p.m. There were performances to show the importance of black history and what it means to be black.

“Life is the roller coaster, and diversity is the seat,” said senior marketing major Richard Pugh. “Correct me if I am wrong, but anyone that gets scared will scream at the top of their lungs. As blacks, we have to learn to do the same. We must learn to speak up when we are in the act of being belittled or feel uncomfortable with the conditions we are placed in.”

The students expressed their thoughts and feeling on being black in America through music and poems. They encouraged one another to give up their privileges in order to give someone else a pedestal.

Other universities also have “Young, Black and Gifted” as a way to bring about awareness on their campus.  For example, the University of Washington holds “Young, Black and Gifted” events, but their goal is very different to the goal here at the university. “Young, Black and Gifted” was created to bring awareness to the creativity and importance of American students.

“‘Young, Black and Gifted’ showcased the various talents that are not usually showcased in our everyday lives,” said sophomore psychology major Jody Bennett. “It feels good to see a group of young men using what African-Americans have become prominent for to showcase their wonderful, God-given talents.”

The assembly educated students on how far they have come and how much they are growing within this nation. 

Senior biological sciences major Larry Overton is glad for the opportunities that “Young, Black and Gifted” presented to students.

“‘Young, Black and Gifted’ at Southeastern is a way to enhance the community by supporting black owned businesses without having to look online,” said Overton. “The entrepreneurs before you are graduates of Southeastern Louisiana, so that’s pretty cool to see them prosper in the economy.”

Alumna Brynisha Faust is a graphic designer, and she was selling graphic T-shirts at the event. Jade Meyers, a visual arts specialist, sold paintings of her own.

Overton briefly spoke on the reasoning for the business casual dress code at the event.

“We, the blacks, are kings and queens and should walk, talk and dress like it,” said Overton. “We ordered for this specific dress code to get black students at Southeastern in the habit of wearing outfit as such.”