By Jonah Kramer | Workers Author
The Barfield Drawing Room of the Invoice Daniel Scholar Middle might be lit up Friday as Baylor’s Nu Zeta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma and Nationwide Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) take the stage. The sixth annual Royal and Pure Homecoming Stroll-Off begins at 7 p.m. and options strolling, a sort of storytelling by way of dance.
Baylor’s NPHC serves because the governing physique of The Divine 9 — Baylor’s traditionally Black sororities and fraternities. The Stroll- Off will showcase the abilities of two NPHC sororities: the Pi Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Rho Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. The night can even function two NPHC fraternities: the Xi Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and the Tau Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, the reigning champions of the Stroll-Off.
New Orleans senior Shelynbria Jackson, president of Baylor’s NPHC, mentioned strolling originated as a way to show African American tradition throughout a time when African Individuals confronted racism and discrimination.
Whereas strolling predates the existence of traditionally Black sororities and fraternities, Dallas senior Ayo Omolewa, president of Phi Beta Sigma, mentioned NPHC chapters have performed a big function in carrying on the custom.
“[Strolling is] a chunk of historical past,” Omolewa mentioned. “It’s at all times with us, it doesn’t matter what we do [or] the place we go. I’ll at all times know the strolls. I’ll at all times know the steps.”
Friday night time’s opponents might be strolling in three completely different rounds. The Deja Blu Spherical will function throwback music, whereas the Sluggish Stroll and Free Spherical will show contrasting paces.
Every chapter will get three minutes per spherical to impress the judges — all NPHC alumni — with lights and props including to the enjoyable and supplementing the exhausting work that went into crafting the routines.
Omolewa mentioned though Phi Beta Sigma’s efficiency won’t be formally scored as a result of they’re internet hosting the occasion, members have been training for 3 days every week because the starting of the semester, with classes lasting a number of hours.
Jackson mentioned the hours of preparation will produce a novel mix of movement in each stroll. By way of rhythmic and synchronized actions, every chapter will categorical its identification — an identification constructed on respect for the trailblazers of the strolling custom, in response to Jackson.
“Right here’s how we symbolize those that we had been based upon,” Jackson mentioned.
Omolewa echoed Jackson’s sentiments concerning the wealthy historical past of strolling.
“We wish to be certain that the historical past and legacy of what we do doesn’t die out,” Omolewa mentioned.
The legacy of a homecoming strolling competitors at Baylor began in 2016. At its inception, the occasion was titled the “Royal and Pure Homecoming Step Present.” Though it’s now known as the “Royal and Pure Homecoming Stroll-Off,” the identical historic ideas drive the night.
“Stepping is whenever you make a beat along with your arms and your physique, whereas strolling is whenever you transfer alongside to a different beat,” Omolewa mentioned.
The viewers can anticipate to see passionate stepping and strolling on Friday night time, with each traditions permitting members to show who they’re culturally, Jackson mentioned. The occasion will replicate the spirit of homecoming, as many alumni come again trying ahead to this occasion specifically. Jackson mentioned the Stroll-Off is a chance for NPHC alumni to see how their chapters have developed over time since they’ve left.
Delta Sigma Theta alumna Jaila Williams graduated final spring and is returning to campus for the Stroll-Off. She mentioned she is happy to look at her sorority mentees from final yr carry out.
“I strongly worth my relationships with all of them,” Williams mentioned. “So it’s vital to me that they really feel supported and know that the rapport we constructed wasn’t simply circumstantial.”
Williams mentioned she can be anticipating connecting with fellow alumni, a few of whom are touring from Atlanta and California.
“To have the ability to see the folks we’ve handed the torch to actually increase on all of our legacies, and to take action collectively, is really one thing to look ahead to and rejoice,” Williams mentioned.
Alongside custom and remembrance, the Stroll-Off displays Phi Beta Sigma’s motto — “Tradition for service, service for humanity” — by partnering with Treatment BU in an effort to boost cash for kids in want of surgical procedures. Whereas there is no such thing as a entry payment, Omolewa mentioned attendees can have the chance to donate to the trigger by way of QR codes.
In keeping with Jackson, the Stroll-Off is pivotal to the lifetime of The Divine 9 on campus, however the competitors isn’t just for many who are acquainted with the strolling custom. Omolewa mentioned he encourages folks to attend in the event that they wish to be entertained and to expertise part of Baylor that isn’t usually proven outdoors of the Black neighborhood.
“There are such a lot of completely different sides of Baylor, so many alternative cultures, and it’s simply one other one to expertise,” Omolewa mentioned.
