For the love of life + LA.

I am on the Executive Board of the African American Student Alliance at my university. I am blessed to hold the Financial Secretary position for 2015-2016. With my position comes so much self development, especially as a future Public Relations professional. I manage an $85,000 budget for the fiscal year, I am learning the ins and outs of event planning, and I represent an organization that has created a 20-year-old home for Black students at my PWI. Aside from these things, AASA has held me like no other space has. I have found my home in the advisors, my amazing TEAM, and the daily connections I have made. To say the absolute least, I AM BLESSED.

AASA goes on a Fall Excursion every year to explore the Black history and culture of a different region of the world. This year's trip was to The City of Angels, LOS ANGELES! I, as an E-board member, embarked on a four day, all expense-paid experience, and here is what I've learned.

THERE IS NOTHING, AND I MEAN ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, LIKE BEING BLACK.

25 people.
4 days.
2 museums.
1 Compton Initiative.
Nonstop laughter.
And a whole lot of Black Excellence.

 

 

 

 

First, the museums.

California African American Museum is the greatest museum I have ever been too.

Picky Head. The background is composed of small images of Black women with natural hair. "Picky Head" is written in relaxer.

Untitled (Sketches on Femininity).

Race Films.

African Textures + Textiles.

 

 

Second, the food.

The best 90cent donut of my life.





Now of course, I don't eat chicken, but let me tell you they had some bomb vegetarian greens and mac 'n cheese. The sweet potatoes were WAY TOO SWEET but all in all, great food!

The world's greatest vegan burger! One thing about LA is there are healthy vegetarian options everywhere, so it was so easy for me to find food. ATL needs to catch up on this!

 

Third, the friends + fun.

AASA 2015-2016 Executive Board, Rocking Black Girls.

The Excursion Family.

Adventures at Santa Monica Pier.

Our Secretary, my roomie for the weekend, and amazing sister, Riah!



More of the fam.



THE womyn. Our Vice President. The Queen, herself. She made this entire trip possible. She has been planning and working on this excursion relentlessly since May. I've watched her stress, grow, and finally breathe. You are magic, Shon. We love you to pieces. You are the reason we got our lives this weekend. Thank you is not enough.

 

 

To AASA, I can't thank you enough. I never knew what it would be like to call this space home, to find so many new brothas and sistahs, but I have. My most rewarding moment was listening to all of our attendees express their gratitude and all they had learned in these few days. One of the women said, "I am proud to be Black" for the very first time on our trip. This is why I am here. This is why I work. We are here. We are learning. We are coming.

 

 

Unapologetically,

~Naturallykbiggie