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4f* The BluePrint SpelmanPaper@gmail.com October 2013 For a complete listing of events taking place at Spelman College, check the Student Life and Engagement section ol Spelman.edu Dales, times and locations may change without advance notice. CAMPUS LIFE & Events The Griot: A Look Inside Past Homecomings By: Dedra Mitchell C’20i4 There is no denying that Homecoming presents the glorious opportunity to indulge in a myriad of festivities, but it is also a time of reflection. Each year alumnae from around the nation re-enter the gates of Spelman College to celebrate the present and future, while honoring and cherishing a remarkable past. This edition of the Griot is focusing on past homecomings. Homecoming 1999’s theme, Timeless, exemplified the essence of the SpelHouse family. The 1999 homecoming package reads, “This year’s theme, Timeless, serves as the perfect underscore for the ageless traditions of connectedness, fellowship, friendly competitiveness, and unwavering support that is unique to Spelman alumnae and Morehouse alumni.” Class of 1971 ’s Miss Maroon and White, Janet Lane, was stunning when she graced the field with Howard University’s Miss Gridiron to be presented with the game ball. In the class of 1971 ’s yearbook, Reflections 1971: Dignity Femininity Pride, a lovely quote lends some insight on Lane. “The coronation of a queen, a Black queen. Here is the essence of Black pride, dignity and femininity. Here is a Black woman.” A 1993 homecoming magazine dedicated to Miss Spelman and her Court titled Black Butterfly shared uplifting words from the original 1984 song by Deniece Williams. “Tell your sons and daughters what the struggle brings. Black Butterfly set the skies on fire. Rise up even higher so the ancient winds of time can catch your wings... Write your 1993 Miss Spelman, Marla Faye Fredrick timeless message clear across the sky. So that all of us can read it and remember when we need it, a dream conceived in truth can never die.” 1993’s Miss Spelman, Marla Faye Fredrick, looked marvelous in an intricately beaded gown shown in the photograph. In a letter to the Spelman community Fredrick stated: “Spelman queenship is a reflection of a people with hope, promise and commitment. It is all of us working together for the betterment of ourselves and our community. Spelman sisters, continue to strive for the excellence that lies within you allowing the queen that is within all of us to radiate.” Thecountlesshomecomings that have paved the path for this year’s homecoming are worthy of our acknowledgment and appreciation. The rambunctious spirit of homecoming is an ingrained entity of the Spelman experience that will remain present long after we have parted ways with Spelman Lane. Thus, it is imperative for us to leave our future Spelman sisters with something amazing to reflect on, as our alumnae have done for us. Additional informationaboutpasthomecomings are conveniently located at the Spelman College Archives in the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby, Ed. D. Academic Center on the second floor. 1971 Miss Maroon & White, Janet Lane with Howard’s Miss Gridiron Clark Atlanta University Homecoming Review By: Jillian Wade, C2015 and. Briar Davis, C’2016, Clark Atlanta University Clark Atlanta University’s count down to homecoming began right after the homecoming tickets went on sale Tuesday Oct. 1. During the homecoming reveal on Sept. 26, CAU uncovered the It Was All Dream theme, inspired by legendary hip hop artist the Notorious B.I.G. CAU prepares a week full of events for the students starting Sunday Oct. 20 with the “Black Out” at the freshmen quad. “The Black Out activity is suppose to boost up the first year students’ spirits about homecoming” said Armani Martin, Homecoming Media Relations Director. “We want the students to have a sense of what to anticipate throughout the week of homecoming. “The theme is suppose to describe everyone’s feeling after the week is over with. We want the students to share many unbelievable memories after homecoming is over.” Questions are going up in the air, about what is going to happen with the hip- hop concert on Oct. 21 at the Forbes arena. Before the performers were announced, students discussed who they expected to perform. “I’m looking forward to the hip hop show because I would like to know who’s going to be there,” First-year Kadizja White said. “I’ve never been to a college homecoming.” Homecoming weekleadsupto the homecoming football game. This year the CAU Panthers gear up to play the Albany State University Rams. The Rams are also apart of the SIAC (the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). Rams and the Panthers both share a 1-4 season record. The Panthers have hope that they will defeat the Rams. “We have a very good chance in beating them [the Rams],” Running Back, Antonio Ford said. “We have prepared ourselves for this game all season, hopefully we can bring in another ‘W’ for our homecoming game. If all goes well, the week of Oct. 20 through the 27 will really be a dream-like experience. Miss Maroon-and-White in the Spotlight By: Christiauna Draper c’2015 Soon to be crowned Miss Maroon-and-White, Jasmine Walker is an Atlanta native and a senior Psychology major. Her platform, At my Best, focuses on managing healthy lifestyles, making healthy decisions, and maintaining healthy relationships. In support of the health initiative, she will host an event entitled #NoFilter in spring 2014. This event will serve to examine the impact that behaviors and decisions have on peoples’ lives. Every decision a person makes, including dietary consumption and choosing friends—impacts the individual as a whole. This event will raise awareness on STDS, efficient exercising, suitable eating habits, favorable relationships, and effective ways to relieve stress. But what is Miss Maroon-and-White without her court? Serving as Second Attendant to Miss Maroon-and- White is Taphaphene Young. She is a senior, Psychology/ Pre-Dental major from Richmond, Va. Her platform, Smiles For the Future, is an initiative that serves to help children with cleft lip and palate. She plans to host an AUC talent show entitled Talent Voyage in order to raise money for Operation Smile. Serving as First Attendant to Miss Maroon-and-White is Timme Mackie, a senior International Studies major from Detroit. Her platform, Violence Prevention and Gun Awareness, will be used to organize a community uplift event. With homecoming right around the corner, Miss Maroon-and-White and her court are ecstatic about Coronation. “We are most excited about Coronation and getting crowned on Oct. 25th,” Walker said. “We are earning more than just a title. We are receiving more opportunities to serve our community and we love to showcase our love for Morehouse College and the AUC as a whole!” Organization Watch Afrekete formerly founded as the Lesbian/ Bisexual Alliance in the mid 90s was formed to provide a foundation of support for Spelman women who expressed interest in lesbian/ bisexual alliance. Our mission is to foster understanding and denounce the perpetuation of stereotypes associated with being lesbian or bisexual in and around the Spelman community. In 1998-99, Afrekete experienced constant opposition by the Spelman Community. This included ridicule from the students and the administration refused to support or sponsor any alliance that would foster a haven for those practicing same-sex or bi-sexual preferences. That year, we chose to no longer identify the group as Lesbian and Bisexual Alliance due to the safety of students and because many did not feel safe participating on campus. As of now, we are rebuilding and re-branding to let students know that we are here for them and have resources to help them if need be. Students interested in joining Afrekete should attend general body meetings every other Thursday. Meeting dates for this month include Oct. 24th at 7pm in Cosby in the Women’s Research Center. For more information please contact us at scafrekete@gmail.com. Afrekete is presenting the Coming Out Monologues on Nov. 14 at 7pm in the Science Center Auditorium. It is a production for LGBTQA students to share, perform, and tell their coming out stories or stories about their identity and experiences as a queer person or an ally of the LGBTQ community. This will be Afrekete’s and Spelman’s first coming out monologues. As Afrekete is striving to make Spelman a more inclusive campus, the Coming Out Monologues will be one of the many steps it takes to do so. A group of about 30 Spelman and Morehouse students including members from S.K.I.R.T.S., Air-Force ROTC, and Army ROTC volunteered at a “Duathalon” called Route 2 Change on Oct 12. Volunteers woke up at 6 a.m. to station around bike route, which went through inner-city Atlanta. Participants in the “duathalon” completed a 5k run followed by a 15-mile bike ride and then another 5k. It raised money for prevention of sex trafficking. WOW Priceless is in the process of forming an e-board. Next month they plan to do social media campaigns as well as a candle light vigil. “Long term, my main goal is to get a mentorship set up with a safe house,” said Gillette, one of the directors of WOW Priceless. “We want to go out and teach them how to become independent while having fun." To get involved contact the directors at: wowpriceless@gmail.com. Girls Going Global is an organization and social enterprise that promotes travel to inner- city girls by exposing join 0,0 WOW Priceless “Strengthening the fight to end child sex trafficking” Atlanta is in the top 14 cities in the United States to have a problem with sex trafficking. Atlanta also has the highest sex trafficking rate in Georgia. Moved by those statistics, LaDarrien Gillette C’2016 and Camille Henderson C’2015 are working on a sex-trafficking awareness campaign to emphasize the overwhelming amount of child sex trafficking that occurs in Atlanta. Both are interns at a non-profit called Youth Spark located in the Juvenile Justice Center in Atlanta, which deals with prevention for child sex-trafficking. them to the cultures of the world. It was founded in 2012 by a Spelman alumna, Martice Sutton, who graduated from Spelman in 2011 with her B.A. in International Studies and a concentration in International Business. Having traveled extensively throughout the world, Sutton wanted to give back to her community of West Philadelphia, P.A. in a way that would better position African-Americans to be more active in international affairs and foreign policies. She wanted to make girls go global. Through her Passport to the World Summer Program, a month-long weekend program that exposes African-American girls to world culture through food, language, religion, and daily life, and the Girls Going Global Travel camp which had its first stop in Canada this summer and Summer 2014 will be held in Costa Rica, Sutton is certainly on her way to increasing global awareness in the African-American community. The Girls Going Global Spelman Chapter was formed in May to uphold Sutton’s vision. It is working in conjunction with The BluePrint until it can operate as an RSO. The Spelman chapter has 3 initiatives for this semester: • Modeled after Sutton’s GGG Passport Scholarships, we aim to raise enough money to support a Passport Scholarship for 3 Spelman students. In order for anyone to “go global,” she or he has to have a passport. • “Champions Rally” • Establish Relationship with local girls school to continue exposing youth to travel. If you want to get involved please contact us at gggspelman@gmail.com. For more information visit girlsgoingglobal.org. Journey to the Crown Miss Spelman & Her Court By: Ayanna Runcie, C’2015 Joi Crenshaw, Marissa Robinson, and Anita Salley, who will be crowned Miss Spelman, 1 st attendant, and 2 nd attendant respectively, let their vibrant personalities shine in the 2013-2014 Miss Spelman pageant this past spring. Ever since they witnessed When and Where I Enter at Spel-bound 2010, the members of the 2013-2014 Miss Spelman Court aspired to represent the Spelman community. “At When and Where I Enter, I said ‘yes, look at this royalty, they are beautiful,”’ Robinson said. “They exemplified everything from beauty, class, poise and they were student leaders. It just made me say ‘wow, I really want to be on the Miss Spelman court.’” Now since that dream has come into fruition, all three women are very enthusiastic about everything the crown entails. “The thing I look forward to the most is being called upon to represent Spelman,” Crenshaw said. “That is one of the major things that called me to the job because I love Spelman so much. “One of the things I admire most about Spelman is that it gives young black women a chance to be the center of attention. [Spelman] gives us a great foundation to be a great competitor in the larger context. [Spelmanites] will be ready for any career because Spelman breeds wonderful leaders- the world better watch out!” In addition to being the faces of the Spelman College, Miss Spelman & Court will execute three major platforms to enhance the Spelman and greater Atlanta community. Although most of the events will be executed in the spring, the three women have already started executing their platforms through community service initiatives in collaboration with Mr. Blue & White and his court. Crenshaw’s platform is entitled Let’s Save the Children. Through this platform, she will work with different agencies to educate the community about children who have been mentally, physically, or sexually abused. For one of her platform events, she plans to have experts come and talk to the Spelman students and faculty. “I specifically chose children because they cannot necessarily advocate for themselves,” Crenshaw said. “But that isn’t to say that I don’t recognize that these things also occur on our campuses, so I think it will be good for our school community as well.” Robinson’s platform is entitled Dare to Be You: The Fight Against Medical Stigmas. As someone who has experienced medical hardship, Robinson wants to be an inspiration to her Spelman sisters who have dealt with health disparities. Salley’s platform is entitled Becoming Your Best Self: Total Wellness, Mind, Body, and Spirit. She wants to use this platform to add support to Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum’s Spelman Wellness Revolution. Salley is the embodiment of her platform and will be able to talk about health and wellness from her personal experience. By the end of their reign, Miss Spelman and her court hope that they will have motivated, inspired, and left a positive impact on their Spelman sisters. As Miss Spelman, Crenshaw’s message to her peers is that you do not have to come into Spelman knowing everything and you do not have to be in every organization to be successful. “Who would have thought that with the path I chose at Spelman, I’d even be a competitor for the crown, yet, it greatly worked out in my favor,” Crenshaw said. “Even if you don’t have all of the pieces, sometimes you have to reach for things anyway.”