Sun Devils celebrate Black excellence with annual ball

This spring, ASU’s Black African Coalition hosted its second annual Black Excellence Ball.

The ball is held for Sun Devils every February to celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month wrapped up in February; it celebrates and recognizes the role and achievements of Black Americans in U.S. history. 

This year's theme for the ball was Rejoicing. The idea behind the theme was created by BAC members while reflecting on events that had impacted the community over the past year. 

“It's a time to rejoice in our skin tone and our race,” said Hayli Kubly, a first-year Sun Devil studying sports business and member of the Black Excellence Ball Committee. 

Sun Devils at the 2021 Black Excellence Ball

This year's ball was the first Hayli Kubly has helped plan for the BAC. She helped put together music and decorations for the night and supported her older sister, Katelyn Kubly, who was vice chair of the event. The event took place in person at the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus Feb. 6.

“This last year was so hard, there were so many things going on,” said Katelyn Kubly, who is a junior studying interdisciplinary studies and also treasurer of the BAC.

According to Katelyn Kubly, the overarching goal for the event was “just being able to rejoice and just be happy that we are in Black History Month.” 

The formal night included music and dancing, the crowning of this year's Black Excellence Royalty, a guest speaker and photo opportunities. 

“We thought it would be important to have the event because students haven't really had the time to see each other and interact,” Katelyn Kubly said.

Kiana Sears, guest speaker and assistant director of faith-based and community partnerships at ASU, emphasized the importance of black excellence and rejoicing to attendees in the room. 

“You're making history, you are history. Right now your voice is also your vote,” Sears said.

Sears, who is also a member of the Mesa Public Schools Governing Board, gave advice on creating impact through actions and the importance of networking.

“Think about how you can influence the next generation. One of your greatest assets is going to be your network,” Sears said. 

According to Rachel Porché, a sophomore studying business and public service and public policy, public relations chair of the BAC and chair of the Black Excellence Ball, the BAC decided to host the ball in person after hearing positive feedback from students through an Instagram poll asking students if they would be interested in attending the event in a socially distanced environment. 

The biggest challenge with the event was making sure ASU’s COVID-19 guidelines were being followed, Porché said. Attendees were required to wear masks, hand sanitizing stations were placed along the walls of the room, there were no more than 50 people allowed to attend the event and no food was allowed to be eaten during the event.

It was important to create an experience that would allow Sun Devils to have fun while also staying safe, Porché said.

“The event is designed to display Black excellence through the presence of our students. The purpose of the event is to unify students by allowing a safe space for a formal get together and to appreciate the excellence of ASU students,” Porché said.

Information and updates on the BAC can be found on Instagram. You can find more in-person events through Sun Devil Sync.