Students on campus have worked to create The Alumni Affair, an annual event to bring together black alumni from The University of Alabama.
“The Alumni Affair is an event that we look to hold annually during A-Day weekend to create an environment for our alumni to interact with the current undergraduate students and foster and cultivate new relationships that in turn, bring the African-American community here at UA closer together,” Alexandria Washington, one of the student organizers, said. “We saw a need on campus to bring our community closer together so we brainstormed when would be the most effective time to have everyone together and what could we do to have everyone on the same page: greeks!”
The Alumni Affair is at 7:30 p.m. on April 19 at Central High School. Washington said the event will feature both alumni and current members of National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities and fraternities. Groups of five or more will present 8-10 minute “step teases,” shorter versions of a full step show routine.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the greeks step and stroll from my freshman year,” Washington said. “I remember as a freshman how I felt watching a genuine good show from start to finish because they put so much heart and dedication into it.”
Washington said the event will feature alumni who were students at the University as far back as the 1990s.
“There are greeks coming to this event that pledged in the 90s. For them to email and get in contact with us has been the thing to put a smile on our faces because this is going to be an event that no one will want to miss,” she said.
Washington said The Alumni Affair provides a good opportunity for black students to reflect on the strides made on campus toward racial inclusivity.
“I believe that it’s important for students to get involved with programs like this is because it’s a part of our history,” Washington said. “Fifty years ago, African-Americans being students here was unheard of and now 50 years later we are here and we need to pay homage to that.”
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at alumnisteptease.eventbrite.com. Proceeds from this event will be donated to Central High’s Youth 4 Christ program, as well as the UA Chapter of Black Student Union. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
