By: Eva Resz
Southern Adventist University’s Black Christian Union (BCU) is holding its annual cultural event on Saturday Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. This year’s theme, “Homecoming,” celebrates culture, and BCU has planned a lineup of performances for students, faculty and community members.
Sue Odieki, previous BCU president and sophomore nursing major, shared in an interview with the Accent that the shift has brought “fresh perspectives” to the BCU team.
“The core mission remains the same: to create a night of excellence, unity and cultural appreciation,” Odieki said. “The excitement surrounding this year’s event is already building, with an expected turnout that may surpass previous years.”
Odieki described the event as “A Homecoming to remember.” She emphasized that this year’s theme is personal.
“More than just a title, Homecoming represents a return to roots, a celebration of culture and a reflection on what it truly means to belong,” Odieki said.
According to Odieki, Naiya Brown, senior health science major, sets the foundation of BCU Night as writer and director of this year’s production. Odieki encourages attendees to “expect the unexpected.”
Chisara Ukegbu, junior mass communication media production major, shared that this year’s performance differs from previous years; it’s meant to be a celebration.
“BCU Night will be a comeback. It’s not so much a history lesson this year. It’s more of a cultural celebration. That’s what sets this year apart,” Ukegbu said. “Because some people understand why we want to teach so much at BCU Night, but we already do so much teaching. So, this year is the year to show the other half of the spectrum. There’s so much culture that we love, so much that we want to appreciate, and that’s what this year is doing.”
Edward Backer, senior psychology major, who performed during BCU Night 2024, will be appearing as one of the event’s leading actors this year. Backer shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity. According to Backer, last year’s production followed a young African American learning from historical figures like Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks.
“This year is going to be something different,” he said. “BCU homecoming night is gonna be fantastic. It’s gonna give people an opportunity to see all these different aspects of what it means to be black.”
According to Backer, “Homecoming” derives from celebrations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and carries deep significance.
“Homecomings at HBCUs are about students, faculty and alumni coming together to celebrate pride in their school and culture. It’s a safe space to show off who they are,” Backer said. “We want everyone to come and be a part of it and celebrate this awesome event with us.”
According to Ukegbu, the audience can expect the return of dance performances after a year of absence. Ukegbu’s team has been practicing every week since January, repeatedly reviewing the same routines to ensure they’re ready for the event.
“Dancing is back, and that’s one of the most looked-forward-to parts,” Ukegbu said. “Getting to actually contribute to telling the story of the night makes me…really excited to see the story pull together.”
According to Odieki, “Homecoming” is more than just an event; it celebrates community, culture, and connection; it’s a night that reflects BCU’s mission of bringing people together.
“BCU is a Black Christian Union, but it’s meant for everyone,” Backer said. “It’s not just a place for African American or black people to feel like they can belong on campus. It’s a place for them to come together, for us to come together, and to show off our pride in what makes us who we are. But we also want to bring that pride to everyone else on campus and invite them to be a part of it. And so that’s what homecoming is.”
“To me, it’s about going back to your roots,” Ukegbu said. “Coming home means the warmth of family, love, food and fun. It’s a remembrance of where you came from.”
