As dancers whirled, majorettes moved in perfect unison and singers drew out run after vocal run, encouraging whoops and applause reverberated through the room.
This year’s Back II Black Talent Show—jointly organized by the Brothers of Nubian Descent and SAVVY, a multi-cultural women’s group—visibly lived up to its theme, “In Bloom,” with pastels and floral dresses abounding. But more than any one performer blossoming, artists and audience members seemed to rally behind the event’s mission to uplift USC’s Black community.
Performers throughout the night appeared dedicated to highlighting Black culture and talent. Student Ayanna Davis paid a heartfelt tribute to Whitney Houston with a powerful rendition of “Saving All My Love for You,” while dance group Melanin Movement brought fervent energy and even acrobatics set to music by artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé.
The recently formed majorette group Elegant Essence also brought a fluid and synchronized routine to the Back II Black stage, furthering their mission to bring majorette dance—an art created and popularized at historically Black universities—to USC.
Riding high off a performance at Colonial Life Arena, which was the first by a majorette group at the stadium, members of the troupe felt Back II Black combined a community spirit with another chance to spread awareness of their organization.
“I think it helps us build a sense of community so that we're able to uplift each other,” Jordyn Edmond, a majorette in Elegant Essence, said. “That will also help us get everyone's names out and pop out to other events.”
Elizabeth Kennedy, a USC student who came out to support a friend and the Touch of Faith Gospel Choir, also emphasized the importance of events like Back II Black in creating a sense of belonging on campus.
“Events like this just remind us that you’re not alone on a campus where everyone might not look like you,” Kennedy said. “It reminds you that you have a community where you might not think you do.”
Shamar Winston, president of BOND and chief event organizer alongside SAVVY President Janiyah Jackson, helped design the event to be focused on celebrating the talent and authenticity of USC’s Black community.
“I want them to take a look at themselves like 'Okay, maybe I can do this. Maybe I have a talent, and maybe I shouldn't just keep it to myself. Maybe I can show out' and just that they're not alone," Winston said. "Just be completely authentic to yourself. And don't be afraid to show it to everyone else."
And the work it took to provide performers with that space to showcase their talents was no small thing. Members of SAVVY and BOND’s executive teams, like Winston, saw months of planning come to fruition as artists performed and attendees let loose on the dance floor.
SAVVY Vice President Natavia Francis experienced a sense of accomplishment as the event she had helped plan for months finally came to pass.
“Just seeing that we as two orgs can be successful together and have such a great turnout of advocating for the Black community, advocating that one we have so many great talents and excellence that can be promoted to the world,” Francis said. “I feel like it means such a greater end and a greater goal.”
