KTSU2 to host virtual block party Friday

By Jonathan Madden

College has always been a place for higher learning and life changing social experiences, especially at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), which have been the breeding ground for cultural shifts within the African-American community and the world. “The Yard” is full of #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy. There is innovative fashion, music, dance, art, civil disobedience, innovation, and love.

However, with the increase of COVID-19 cases in America during this pandemic period, The Yard has been forced to empty.  One could imagine the feeling of these young adults, as they walk into one of the most exciting and influential times of their lives, just to have to spend it in front of a computer screen, listening to upper classmen and alumni reminisce on the good old days of social interaction.

Texas Southern University’s Damarkus Banks is one of those students returning to The Yard and yearns for social interaction. He said things are different in 2020.

 “The atmosphere has changed, we can’t really experience the homecomings, the hump days, the basketball games,” Banks said. “We need something to get people involved because we haven’t been able to engage with each other. I don’t even know any of my classmates. I miss the connection.”

Student organizations have been forced to use ingenuity, to create events that obey social distancing guidelines; that still can create an atmosphere of student engagement, fun and excitement.

The great minds at TSU’s student run radio station, KTSU2, bleeds with enthusiasm and ingenuity. KTSU2 presents KTSU2 Block Party: Virtual Edition. This event is to bring life and the family atmosphere back to “The Yard”.

The block party will be Friday, October 2 from 8p.m. to 10p.m.  and will consist of a virtual dance party, costume contest, prize giveaways, Greek stroll off, and voter registration drive.

Radio personality “Radio Rich” will be hosting and keeping the good times going as the student body goes forward in celebration.

Maiya Turner,  KTSU2 News’ lead anchor and reporter, is one of the coordinators of the event.

“I’m a music lover and have attended several online parties due to COVID-19. We, as a radio station wanted to find ways to get students reacquainted with their student station. So, I proposed the idea, and said let’s throw a virtual block party,”  Turner said.

Turner hopes the event will bring a sense of community.

“I wanted our students to reconnect with us and show them we are still alive. We have students from California to Ghana. I want to show them that where ever they are, we are still a community and still a family, and this is your student station,”  Tuner said.

Julian Davis, Omega Psi Phi Spring 2020 initiate of the Tau Epsilon chapter and participant in the Greek stroll off,  said this is an innovate way to get students connected.

“I was looking forward to being on campus and experiencing student life my Neo year; however, this gives an opportunity to still engage with my fellow students in a safe environment,” Davis said.

Davis said the Greek stroll is going to be a spectacle.

“Bruhz being OWT, we all know TE the best hoppers in Houston let alone TSU,” Davis said.

To participate and enter into drawings, students must: 1. Follow KTSU2 on Instagram. 2. Follow KTSU2News. 3. Post a picture with maroon or costume with the hashtags #KTSU2VBP.

Students said COVID-19 can’t stop the power of “The Yard” and the new normal can’t stifle the school spirit of Texas Southern University.