Nayeli Lomeli/Staff Writer
A line of about 150 students waited outside 8th Street Kitchen before 5 p.m. to make sure they were in the first 800 students who would eat for free that night.
The Black Student Union hosted the “From 8th Street Kitchen to the Cotton Club” on Wednesday Feb. 27 in celebration of its annual Black History Month series.
“We are trying to channel that old jazzy vibe here,” said Tranae Robinson, vice president of BSU.
The menu that night featured items from the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, such as the St. Louis BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, chili mac n’ cheese, green beans and cheddar cornbread.
Robinson added that Black History Month is a time to focus on the unseen heroes and on people who have done for the community similar to what Martin Luther King, Langston Hughes and Rosa Parks did. She said it is also a time for the club to educate others about their culture and history and what it means, since it is not always taught in school.
“I think overall when we talk about American history often time black figures are left behind other than the few prominent figures that we already know or celebrate. As a whole the most information you get is sadly during Black History Month… it is pivotal to continue to learn about black history after the 28 days,” said Robinson.
The premise of the event was for students to be able to get a glimpse at the new look of what used to be the Fresh Food Company. Robinson, a senior studying International Business, said she had not seen the new look of it herself.
“Similar to the midnight madness of finals week students are able to come and eat for free…
So you know, as the college student we’re broke, we’re hungry [and] exhausted, so having an event like this is a chance for students not only to relax but to have some free food and maybe talk to some new people,” said Robinson.
Some students such as Cheyenne Warren, a freshman and Miami Haitian, were there for the meaning behind the event. Warren, who has been going to some of the other BSU events this month, said she found out about the one that night through Instagram.
“I think [Black History Month] means how we honor our ancestors, in uplifting all their memories and [the] things that they have accomplished, so we might as well come together and do something,” she said.
For others such as Paula Hernandez, a junior majoring in biology, it was their first time in the kitchen and were there basically for the free food.
“I was just passing by… this is the first time I have actually gone in here, because I thought this was just for people that live on campus [so] I never came,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez, who was impressed with the aesthetic and cleanliness of the kitchen, added that walking around the different food stops felt like walking through different cultures.
Before the event was over at 8 p.m. the club had reached their promotion advertisement and over 800 students had checked in, according to Lynbea Toombs, the BSU advisor.
“Free food is the best way to advertise,” said Gour.
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