The February 21st, 2025 event “Taste of Soul” was a student event hosted by the Black Student Association in the Thurman B. White Forum—Conference Room A. It was advertised as a student-led annual event “celebrating the rich culinary traditions of the African diaspora. Hosted by OU students, this event is more than just a food experience—it’s a night of community, culture, and connection!” (taken from the publicity email sent to the entire OU student body).
Because I am not a Black American or part of the African diasporic community, I was hesitant to attend and possibly intrude on a space that was meant to welcome students other than myself. However, as it was a fundraising event that featured student entrepreneurs, I also wanted to be able to support small student businesses, if possible. Thus, I elected to attend and support, and leave if I felt I was intruding.
Upon walking into the conference room, delicious smells wafted from the vendors. Carican Flavors, Chef Prince Mason, Mama Z’s African Restaurant, and S&D Smokehouse were just some of the restaurants selling their delicacies. As I walked through the building, however, my eye was also caught by a few of the student vendors. Hand-made buttons and pins, t-shirts, hair accessories, and hand-knitted house decor were amongst the items being sold, and I was immediately taken by how talented my fellow students were.
At one of the tables, a friend of mine from the School of Drama was selling buttons, and, as we chatted, I bought a few of the OU-themed ones for my family. After we said goodbye, my eye was immediately caught by a table full of hand-crocheted flowers. The vendor told me that she was selling them for fifteen dollars each! I told her they were incredible, and I instantly knew I had to buy one.
Overall, I walked away from the Taste of Soul event with a full belly, a happy heart, and a beautiful decoration for my home.
