Black Student Union’s Soul Food Friday event will be Friday, May 3 in the cafeteria during first and second periods. Courtesy of BSU.

To bring the community together, Black Student Union will host the first Soul Food Friday on May 3 in the cafeteria during first and second periods. 

Three plates are offered–the $10 standard meal, the $15 premium meal and the $20 big back special. The difference in price is the amount of protein choices offered per meal. The standard meal has one choice of protein, and the premium and big back specials provide an additional protein option including fried chicken and brisket.    

“Black Student Union is an organization that promotes a strong community of like-minded African American individuals,” senior Meckenzy Conway said. “We are trying to get that sense of community in the school.”

Faculty, including assistant principals Lanele Lindsay and Sonny Dack, will donate food while the remaining soul food will be catered in. Side options will be traditional soul food including mac and cheese, and proceeds from tickets will be given away in a scholarship for a high-achieving African American student. 

“To help with their education, the scholarship applicant has to meet quite a bit of criteria,” Conway said. “It’s like every other scholarship criteria like a high-achieving student with good grades, no disciplinary record and proof you’re going to college.”

Students are to be released only by an announcement from principal Jim Baker or campus secretary Ariana Villarreal. Release times will be based on the color of the ticket students purchased. Tickets are sold out. 

“It’s great knowing people are interested in the event,” BSU adviser Trevin Franklin said. “People are really interested in the different foods we are going to offer.”

Those who purchased tickets are welcome to enjoy the food and activities like dancing during the event. Inspired by Marcus’ Taste of Soul event, Black Student Union created Soul Food Friday to spread awareness of cultural diversity. 

“[The event] is to bring people of color together in our school,” junior Gabrielle Redmond said. “Bringing people together with the food they like helps with communication and having fun.”

Black Student Union’s preparations for the event has allowed the club to grow stronger in the members’ connections to one another. 

“As far as a sponsor, we have a great relationship with all of our students,” Franklin said. “They have been doing a good job this year.”