Wrapping up a month of events, the Brandeis Black Student Organization concluded Black History Month last Tuesday with one of the best cultural shows of the year. Students and professionals presented music, spoken word, fashion and dance in the Shapiro Theater, treating their audience to an inspirational program titled "Roots and Branches: Understanding Our History, Preparing for the Future." Assistant Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams, the master of ceremonies, began by reminding the audience that "Black history is everybody's history" and that "every month is Black History Month. [February] is just the second installment."

BBSO co-presidents Shakiva Wade '07 and Jerome Frierson '07 screened a historical slide show, which Frierson hoped would "recognize and pay homage to the struggles and triumphs of our ancestors." The slide show covered the Civil Rights movement, including the 1968 occupation by black students of Brandeis' Ford Hall, which stood where the Shapiro Campus Center is today.

The show's artistic performances began with black national anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," followed by a fashion show mainly consisting of the loose, Earth-toned wraps, shirts and skirts of Ghana and Kenya.

In an effort to present many different African-influenced art forms, Frierson said the BBSO used the Intercultural Center administrative assistant Taneeta Bacon's connection to Odara Nash, a performer from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Nash performed an elegant modern dance during which she moved as if she were a bird in the air or a fish in water-uninhibited by gravity.

Next, Robert Tynes '10 performed three pieces of spoken word, which eloquently and passionately discussed themes of love, societal deception and overcoming difficulty. Following a video of last semester's Kwanzaa celebration, produced by Cesar Oliver '08 , Boston-based hip-hop group Zullo performed a handful of socially and politically critical songs. The group, which includes both a full band and emcees, performs a mosaic of funk, jazz, blues and hip hop.

Borrowing Zullo's saxophonist for some background jazz interpretation, Adams pleased his campus fan base by reciting a spoken-word piece on "Black History X" before the gospel singer Major (formerly known as Choirboy) came to the stage. Major, who performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics, sang in a voice and style reminiscent of John Legend and mixed spiritual advice with uplifting music in songs like "Danger in Complaining."

Choreographers Seyram Avle '07, Fanny Familia '09, Liliana Canela '09, Satarra Davis '07 and Athena Oliver '10 created an energetic dance finale blending African, Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Latin styles that eventually strayed into the audience as well-ending the show on a high note with such physical celebration.