On a small stage in the main room of Front Porch, Kayci Blevins sang the opening notes of “Almost There” from “The Princess and the Frog,” kicking off The Vibe Open Mic & Poetry Slam on Feb. 21.
The audience clapped along to the beat, bursting into applause as the song came to an end.
“It was a perfect way to start the night to embrace Black History Month and just highlight something that we really hold dear to us in our community,” said Blevins, Black Student Union (BSU) president and a child development junior.
BSU and the Black Academic Excellence Center hosted the event, providing students a space to perform music, poetry and dance.
Typically held twice a year, The Vibe typically features one open mic night centered around poetry and another focused on song performances, according to Léanne Ngounou, BSU co-programming director and a microbiology junior. This year, however, these events were combined into one.
“I feel like we don’t really get to hear everyone’s special talents or just what’s on their mind every day, so it’s nice to have a space to showcase that,” Ngounou said.
Student performances included original acoustic guitar songs, duets, poetry and song covers.
Communications studies sophomore Ava Jimmerson took the stage primarily to support her friends, but stepped out of her comfort zone to perform “Love” by Keyshia Cole before intermission. Later, she performed a duet of “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley.
“I hope you guys take a moment to let the lyrics resonate with you,” Jimmerson said after her performance. “I think it is really great BSU brought this together in these times of trial and tribulation caused by our government. No executive order can take away our ability to come together as a community and to share our experiences and love for each other.”
Big Head Little Feet, a band of four students, performed two covers: “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles and “Charleston Girl” by Tyler Childers.
Adanna Okiwelu, co-programming director for BSU and an economics sophomore, performed original poetry titled “The House That Still Lives” about preserving the memory of her grandmother’s house.
“Poetry for me has really been an outlet, and I’m really excited to be able to share it with people,” Okiwelu said. “There is something about being on stage and sharing your words, sharing your heart, and I really think that’s what poetry is about.”
Performers had the opportunity to sign up ahead of time, but the organizers also accepted at-the-door signups, Okiwelu said.
“There are some people that get the itch, the urge to go up there,” Ngounou said. “Once someone starts singing, you’re like, ‘You know what? I think I can do that too.’”
Near the end of the night, students Jaylyn Harris, Ajia Walker and Nailah DuBose came up to perform “Revolution” by Kirk Franklin, encouraging the audience to stand and raise their hands.
Industrial technology and packing sophomore Jamel Cleaves did not attend this event last year, so he was interested to see what it was about.
“I’m glad that I came this year and got to experience it and see how interesting it actually is,” Cleaves said. “I’m really enjoying it.”
For Ngounou, combining the two events this year made the night extra special.
“Especially because it’s during Black History Month, so I’m sure that there’s more on people’s minds, and they get to share that here,” Ngounou said.
