The Black Student Union celebrated Black History Month by hosting Soul Social, an event that highlighted Black history through socializing and interactive activities. Black History Month was especially important to the Black Student Union because it allowed us to educate our peers and bring celebratory energy to the Skyline campus community.
The event began with a warm welcome from our president, Leilani McAllister, and vice president, Keshaiaa Jones, who set the stage for students to feel comfortable engaging and having fun with their peers. They also informed them about the rich history behind Black History Month.
Our secretary, Chanel Green, hosted a Kahoot game that quizzed participants on Black history, including influential Black figures, inventions, and cultural topics. Remarkably, Language Arts Division Dean Chris Gibson took the crown! We thank Dean Gibbson for supporting our club and attending our event.
Chanel, Keshaiaa, and our social media manager, Cedric Geter, continued as MCs throughout the rest of the event. Together, they hosted activities such as the “Cup Game,” a fast-paced elimination game similar to musical chairs, “Guess the Song and Black Musician,” and an opposite-hand drawing challenge featuring famous inventions created by Black inventors.
We closed out the event with a double Dutch competition. This game has cultural significance in the African American community and is a great way to encourage physical wellness. Many participants tried their best to beat the ropes, and we commend them for their efforts.
The BSU worked hard to plan this event while being intentional about uplifting Black history and achievements, even down to the color scheme. We chose the colors indigo, gold, and brown to bring in something refreshing but connected. Indigo was chosen because of its significance in Gullah Geechee and other Black cultures. It is seen as a symbol of protection and resilience. Gold was chosen as a representation of achievement, strength, and prosperity. Brown was chosen as a representation of all the melaninated people within the diaspora. Our members Keshaiaa, Em, Nailah, Leilani, and Chanel handcrafted posters and signs for this event.
In addition to games, music, and delicious Jamaican food, our event thrived with the support of local businesses, campus clubs, and programs.
Shoutout to our Soul Social vendors:
Cade and Crumb, a Black woman-owned home bakery (Instagram: @cadeandcrumb)
Artist Kai Morton, a Black Bay Area artist (Instagram: @koikaiz)
Global Society, a Skyline alumni clothing brand (Instagram: @globalsociety)
Jello, a Skyline student-owned business by Mia Vasquez, featuring versatile beverages and treats.
A big thank you as well to the clubs and programs that tabled at our event and helped make the celebration successful: Umoja-ASTEP, Project Change, Guardian Scholars Program, Women’s Mentoring Leadership Academy, The Learning Center, Library Services, Career Services, Study Abroad, Science, Math, and Tech Division, Rise Club, SJP, and BBS!
We were proud to hold this event in Fireside Dining on February 26, 2026, and grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate Black history and culture with us. We had so much fun!
Article by: Leilani McAllister & Keshaiaa Jones
Photography by: MCPR & Adam Rodriguez
Soul Social event planners: Leilani McAllister, Keshaiaa Jones, Chanel Green, Cedric Geter, Nailah Smith, Em Rodriguez, and Sandon Doughty.
