Imani Johnson came up with the idea for the Say It Loud Showcase while bored in her dorm room. She wanted to give students a reason to leave their rooms and celebrate Black History Month.
“I feel like Stevenson doesn’t really have an event like this,” Johnson said. “It’s especially not every year we can showcase Black talent like this.”
Johnson pitched the idea to Stevenson’s Black Student Union (BSU), which helped bring the event to life. The showcase, held Feb. 21, was part of Stevenson’s Black History Month celebrations. After a successful first run in 2024, the showcase grew significantly this year. The Rockland Banquet Hall quickly filled with excited attendees, and extra chairs had to be set up.
The showcase featured diverse performances, including photography, poetry, film, singing, fashion and dance. Each act was unique, but they all shared a powerful message of celebrating Black culture.
Maverick Dixon, who showcased his and his grandfather’s photography, was honored to be part of the event. Even though Dixon has been doing photography for six years, this was his first time displaying it. Dixon emphasized finding community within the arts, and encouraged others to share their talents.
“It means a lot to me because I get to connect with other people over our shared love of art and our shared talents,” Dixon said. “Don’t be afraid to work with what you have.”
This event meant a lot for the audience as well. For Black students, events like these are more than just fun; they offer a chance to showcase talents that are not always given a platform.
“[We can continue to support Black artists and performers] by just recognizing that the voices are there and not allowing them to be hidden in any way possible,” said Ashlyn Toppin, a third-year communication studies student. “Just making sure it is being focused on and recognized by all of campus, not just by African American people.”
(Clare Oshman)
The night’s standout act was Sanaa Liggins’ performance of an original poem. Using both her powerful voice and the accompanying music, Liggins, also known by her stage name, Radiant Rage, captivated the audience.
“The way Radiant Rage was able to integrate music into her piece, not just her talking, really showed the power of what she was saying,” said Toppin. “Her talking about being able to dream as a Black person was really powerful.”
While Black History Month is a time for celebration, it is still important to recognize Black culture year-round.
“We’re Black 365 days a year, not just for 28 days,” said Tina Stanley, a mother of an Allure model.
Johnson encourages her peers to get involved and be themselves, no matter the month.
“There is so little opportunity sometimes for us to really put ourselves out there,” Johnson said. “You’re only here for four years. Just do it.”
