Greek Block Show at Johns Hopkins celebrates black history

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Imagine the perfect block party: neighbors gathering together to celebrate their community through music, dance and the sharing of experiences. On Friday, the Black Student Union (BSU) put its own unique twist on the block party.

Students piled into the Glass Pavilion to watch students perform step-dancing for the Greek Block Show. Greek organizations Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Gamma Rho hosted the event.

“Sit back and enjoy the show, as we show you who we are,” an Alpha Phi Alpha brother said as the event began.

The event was meant “to create a greater sense of awareness for the other Greek organizations that exist and to give the JHU community a chance to celebrate its traditions that we all share.”

“Stepping is becoming very popular on TV but its roots exist in these organizations and we do it to pay tribute to our African ancestors,” performer Blake Edwards said.

The senior and Alpha Phi Alpha brother performed first with junior James Finklea and senior Chris Riley.

“We try to get out there and support the community. We try to bring the whole of Maryland together instead of just individual chapters . . . we get support from the whole state,” Riley said.

Additional stepping routines were performed by Kappa Alpha Psi and Phi Beta Sigma, along with the sororities Delta Sigma Theta and Sigma Gamma Rho.

A dance-off was held in the middle of the show and several members of the audience jumped up and joined in.

The event also served to build bonds between Hopkins students and students from Morgan State University, expanding the block party atmosphere beyond Charles Village.

“I feel as though it is important that my fraternity has an opportunity to perform for a school like JHU,” said Robert Jones, a senior at Morgan State.

Jones is a member of Phi Beta Sigma, which does not have a chapter at Hopkins.

“It is a great opportunity for individuals who may become interested in our organization to see us perform and have a chance to converse with our members. Our two schools are so close and we enjoy representing our organization throughout the Baltimore community.”

The Greek Block Show has been a popular part of Black History Month celebrations for decades.

“Every year we hope to increase the awareness in the Homewood community because it’s something that the campus doesn’t see everyday,” Edwards said.

He hoped students would walk away from the event with a better sense of the diversity that exists within Greek life.

The event went smoothly and was frequently met with applause and laughter from the audience.

Senior Chantal Dufreny performed with her sisters from Sigma Gamma Rho. Her sorority was the only member of the National Pan-Hellenic Council to participate in the stepping performance.

“We prepared for about a month – it took a lot of dedication and effort. We really take pride in our show and tried to make it the best we could,” Dufreny said.

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