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‘A showcase of Black excellence and Black joy’: The annual Ujima fashion show

by Maitreya Ravenstar ’25

Bringing awareness of African, African American, and Caribbean cultures to the campus and local community is Ujima’s mission. In March, the student club held its annual fashion show. Organized entirely by students, the campus tradition (which goes back to the 1990s) is a celebration of Black talent and creativity. Luna Peralta ’23, a senior studying environmental science from the Bronx and Ujima’s club president, described her experience directing the 2023 show. 


Ujima is one of the oldest multicultural groups on campus.

Dedicated to support and sustain the Black community both on and off campus, we're a community of love, support, and celebration. I say Ujima will always and should always be a safe space for those in need.

Ujima also creates a great space for people who want to be future leaders by being a part of our yearlong executive board positions. I have been on this e-board for three years in multiple roles.

Luna Peralta ’23, who directed the 2023 show.

Luna Peralta ’23, who directed the 2023 show.

We have various events on campus, but spring semester is our biggest semester with events during Black History Month and of course the Annual Fashion Show.”

Ujima’s fashion show has become a tradition for the club and .

“These shows are meant to mark the end of our Black History Month series. The show dates all the way back to the 1990s, and it is a staple for our club to host it.

Farah Abdullah ‘25

Farah Abdullah ‘25

Due to the pandemic, many people in my class and below did not get to experience a full-on fashion show until last year when our past co-president Erica Smith '22 held the first fashion show since 2019 called ‘Infiltrate.’

Oluchi Dike ’26, Kendrice Roc ’23, Ari Dean ’26, Aminah Hopewell ’26, and Deidri-Ann Mckenzie ‘26.

The dance group the Extrava-Gemz: (from left) Oluchi Dike ’26, Kendrice Roc ’23, Ari Dean ’26, Aminah Hopewell ’26, and Deidri-Ann Mckenzie ‘26.

Luckily, this year our show got more models and more performances so now people are aware of how amazing our fashion shows can be. I am overly grateful to have added to this tradition and to have been able to document it for future participants to see.”

The fashion show’s 2023 theme was ‘The Four Elements of Blackness.’

“This show’s theme was taken from the theme of the show that would have happened in spring 2020. The theme was created by alums Simone Hadebe '20 and Kadi Diallo '20, who granted me permission to adapt this show into my own vision during my planning stage.

The purpose of ‘The Four Elements of Blackness’ was to show Black beauty through various acts which are the four elements of nature:

Earth is meant to represent the connection to our roots in Black culture and the Pan-African diaspora.