THE NEWS IN BRIEF: Speaker at Black Students Association banquet urges attendees to apply their education to social change

Honoring social activist Robert Lewis, Jr. and actress Gabrielle Union for their dedication to community outreach, the Harvard Black Students Association (BSA) hosted the third annual Crimson and Black Banquet on Friday in Leverett Dining Hall.

Lewis, a vice president of the nonprofit Boston Foundation, and Union, a vocal spokeswoman about sexual assault, discussed social change at the event, which celebrated the Black community’s achievements in community service.

“We really wanted people to see that even beyond Harvard, they could continue to be active and could continue to impact the community,” said BSA Arts and Entertainment Chair Brittany J. Walker-Meade ’10.

The event hosted approximately 175 undegraduates, alumni, and members of the greater Boston community, according to Sarah Lockridge-Steckel ’09, president of BSA.

Union’s closing address focused on her experience as a teenage rape victim. In her speech, Union stressed the importance of using personal fortune to help others. She said that her celebrity status has enabled her to make an impact on the fight against sex crimes.

Many audience members said that Union’s most thought-provoking statement came when she encouraged them to use their Ivy League educations as instruments for social change.

“Ok. What else ya got?” Union asked of the many tables of Harvard students. Failing to use a Harvard degree to help others was tantamount to not receiving one, Union said.

Aisha J. Dennis ’08, who founded and organized the first Crimson and Black Banquet in 2006, echoed Union’s words. “I operate in the philosophy that ‘To whom much is given, much more is expected,’” Dennis said. “My hope in creating this event was to inspire more of my peers to go on to be leaders in the continued struggle of the global black community.”



—ERIN A. MAY