A Trip To The University of New Mexico For The Black Cultural Conference

Image of the Black Student Association Attendees The University of New Mexico For The Black Cultural Conference. The image depicts a group of approximately 30 individuals posing together on a stage, in front of a large screen with a projector display. The group consists of men and women of various ages, dressed in a variety of attire ranging from casual to formal. The individuals are smiling and appear to be attending a conference or event. The screen behind them has a presentation slide with the title “Importance of Recognizing and Preserving Black History.” The slide prominently features the cover of a book titled "The Mis-Education of the Negro" by Carter G. Woodson. Beside the book cover, a notable quote from Carter G. Woodson is displayed in white text on a dark background. The setting appears to be a large auditorium or conference hall, with walls illuminated by wall-mounted lights. In front of the group, there is a podium with the emblem “NMM.”
A group of ten people is posed for a photo in front of a gray wall backdrop. The group consists of seven women and three men. Eight individuals are standing in a line, and two are crouched at the front. Diverse in appearance, the group members are dressed in a variety of attire ranging from casual to trendy clothing. They all wear conference name tags on lanyards around their necks. The background is a plain gray wall, and they are standing on a dark gray carpet with a red stripe running horizontally in front of them.

On Thursday, February 8, 2024, members of NMSU's Black Programs and Black Student Association embarked on a three-hour journey to the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque. The destination: the Black Cultural Conference organized by African American Student Services.

The image depicts a scene in a spacious indoor hall with a fashion show or similar event taking place. Centered is a raised platform or runway, covered in a neutral-colored carpet with black draping around the edges. On the runway, two women walk side by side, hand in hand. The woman on the left wears a vibrant yellow outfit with white strappy heels. The woman on the right is dressed in black pants, a black top, and a patterned jacket, with black sneakers. Behind them, spectators are seated and clapping, closely watching the runway. The background features a tall, red banner extending from the floor to the upper railing, displaying vertical text that reads "SOPHOMORES" and horizontal text "CLASS of 2026." There's also a red curtain and a decoration made of purple and black balloons on the left side of the runway. Upstairs, there are additional people observing the event from a balcony. The hall is well-lit, with white walls, and an illuminated "NMM" logo visible on the background wall among a series of framed documents or plaques. The ceiling comprises square tiles and recessed lights.
The image shows an individual with long, braided hair that includes blonde and brown shades, styled in an intricate updo walking through a black metal barrier in a well-lit indoor setting. They are wearing a black coat embellished with circular patterns, paired with loose-fitting purple pants and light tan shoes. The individual is walking past a group of seated spectators who appear to be watching attentively. The background features a set of framed documents or plaques on a cream-colored wall, beneath red and black "UN" lettering, possibly indicative of a venue or organization branding.

Upon our return and after a quick refreshment, the day's festivities commenced with an enchanting beauty pageant, where students adorned in vibrant attire gracefully paraded down the aisle. To promote inclusivity and engagement, spectators and guests from various educational institutions and organizations were invited and encouraged to join in and strut their stuff on the runway alongside the students.

The image depicts a fashion show taking place in an indoor public space, likely within a school or university building. Two models are standing on a raised runway platform. The model on the left is wearing a long, black coat, black pants, black shoes, white shirt, tie, and a black cap. Their hands are clasped in front. The model on the right, with blond-tipped dreadlocks, is dressed in a black leather outfit with oversized pants and white sneakers, standing sideways with their back partially towards the camera. The audience consists of around 15 people, some seated and some standing along the platform. They appear engaged, watching the show with interest. The background shows a two-story interior with a balcony. On the second floor, directly above the runway, is a sign reading "CAFÉ".
The image depicts a scene in a school setting with several people on a raised platform stage. In the foreground, a person in an orange shirt is walking up a ramp onto the stage, carrying a black bag. Following closely is another person, wearing sunglasses and a green shirt. On the stage, multiple people, including one in a light pink gown, are walking. A person in a white hoodie is seen standing behind a wooden podium on the left side of the stage. The background reveals a two-story area with railings, where additional people are visible. Large vertical banners hang from the ceiling, one of which reads "Class of 2026" and another reads "Seniors." The stage is equipped with safety railings, and the floor is carpeted.

On Friday, September 9, 2024, a dynamic array of events unfolded, commencing with a group breakfast at the event center located within the University of New Mexico. This was swiftly succeeded by a series of engaging lectures spanning a spectrum of topics, from historical explorations delving into the Black Student Unions and Black Panther movements to contemporary discussions addressing issues pertinent to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and fraternity clubs.

The image shows a woman standing in front of a podium inside a room with teal walls. The podium is made of light wood and has a microphone mounted on it, alongside a logo that reads "NM Student Union Building." The woman is holding a presentation remote and speaking to an audience. She is dressed in a light green blouse, black pants, and black boots. To her right, there is a large screen displaying a slide from a presentation titled "The Current State of BSUs." Part of the audience can be seen in the bottom right corner of the image, facing the presenter.
The image showcases a group of eight people seated around a round table, covered with a red tablecloth. They are engaged in a meal, with plates of food, cups, and drinks on the table. The table also features a colorful Kente cloth runner and several large black plastic bags. The background includes rows of empty, black chairs and a stage with a podium featuring an emblem.

Furthermore, the event encompassed interactive sessions, fostering lively games, and insightful discussions among participants. These exchanges provided a platform for attendees to pose questions and engage in constructive dialogue, facilitating the exploration of diverse viewpoints. Notably, feedback and opinions were solicited from various groups and individuals, encouraging reflection on recent developments such as the overturning of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) bills, while also inviting brainstorming sessions aimed at devising solutions to pressing societal issues and challenges.

The image depicts a group of people in a meeting room setting. There are six individuals visible, all engaged in conversation or looking at a display on the wall. Tables are set up with white tablecloths, scattered papers, and drink cups. The chairs are black and padded. A projection screen shows a slide titled "What Would Y'ALL Do?" in bold yellow text against a blue circle on an orange background. Below the title, there is a paragraph of text. One individual is standing by the screen gesturing, possibly presenting. The room has a neutral color scheme of beige walls and light-colored carpeting.
Playing board games! The image shows a group of nine people gathered around a rectangular white table, actively engaged in a card game involving spoons. The participants, who are of diverse backgrounds and appearances, are seated on beige folding chairs, with a few people standing or sitting in the background, watching. The room has light blue walls and large windows with horizontal blinds, allowing natural light to enter. There are various items on the table, including several plastic spoons and a deck of cards. In the background, a large TV screen mounted to the wall displays a colorful image, and there's a high table with chairs and various office supplies. The floor is brown with a wood-like texture, and a couple of posters are visible on the walls.

On the last day of the trip, we attended the UNM female basketball match against Colorado State, which tipped off at noon. The game proved to be engaging, filled with numerous highlights. However, we departed before its conclusion due to the need to embark on the four-hour journey back to the New Mexico State University campus.

UNM female Basketball team pre-match exercise. The image captures a scene inside a basketball arena. The court is made of light-colored hardwood with red lines marking the boundaries. In the background, players, dressed in athletic wear, are warming up and preparing for a game. In the center of the court, there is a logo featuring the head of a wolf in black and white. In the foreground, five basketball players are seen standing near the sideline. They are wearing black long-sleeve tops, white shorts, and white socks with red athletic shoes. Three of the players have their backs facing the camera, while two are viewed from the side. Additionally, a cameraman with a professional video camera is positioned in the lower-left corner, likely recording the game preparations. The arena has red and black hues, with the sidelines featuring red padding. A large group of people can be seen in the background near the stands, creating a bustling atmosphere preparing for the sport event.
Mr. Cecil at the Basket Ball game. The image depicts a group of people standing up at an indoor sports arena, likely for the national anthem or a moment of respect. In the foreground, a man in a gray beanie, black vest, and glasses stands with his hand over his heart. To his right are several women, one of whom has long braided hair and wears a bright blue shirt with colorful text, also placing their hands over their hearts. The arena's seating area in the background is mostly empty, with a few individuals scattered throughout. The stands are red and gray, with the lower rows covered and the upper tiers exposed. Above, electronic scoreboards and display screens are visible, showing a time of 10:00 with scoreboards for two teams, both at 0-0.