If anyone was looking for a place to be Friday night, the 10th Annual Black Fall Welcome was the place to be – and where hundreds of Sacramento State students decided to go.

The evening was full of performances by black cultural organizations with live music, dance and multimedia slideshows intended to welcome Sac State students to their groups.

Doors opened at 5 p.m. and when the show was underway an hour later, nearly 300 people had filled the seats in the University Union’s Ballroom.

The Black Fall Welcome, which was sponsored by ASI and Sac State’s multicultural center, hosted more than 10 groups, including Crunk 4 Christ, The Future: Building Awareness through Culture, National Black Law Student Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, African Student Association, Future Black Doctors and Dentists and culture-based fraternities and sororities.

“It’s a really good opportunity for students to come and find out what’s available on our campus,” said Tom Carroll, student activities program adviser.

With a live DJ spinning records, students representing their particular organizations had a spot on stage to rally support and membership for clubs, fraternities or sororities.

Some club representatives took a more creative route rather than getting up to the microphone and reading about their club’s mission statement and how to join.

Crunk 4 Christ, a Christian-based organization, gave the audience a preview of their annual gospel concert with a rap fused with lyrics about school and determination by way of religious inspiration.

“It is really just a good opportunity to meet people and make it an easier transition for college students,” said Sean King, a class of 1999 Sac State graduate who studied computer engineering and who is also in Omega Psi Phi. “It’s good to see an event that’s been going on for all these years and watch it become what it is now.”

Many students were out of their seats dancing and signing to the hip-hop tracks as performers danced along and mingled through the aisles.

“It helps me understand that I can develop a home away from home here on campus, especially since I’m from a different coast being from Boston,” said Yannick Kasongo, a junior psychology major.

“The purpose of this event is to encourage African-American minority groups to come together in fellowship,” said Eddie Johnson, building supervisor for the University Union.

Despite being held on a Friday night, students were eager to be a part of the Black Fall Welcome. And as time went on, the crowd didn’t die down, especially after plans for an afterparty were announced.

“I think it should happen more than just once a year. It’s good, it’s fun and it’s safe,” said Loren Leath, a junior majoring in communication studies. Organizers also set up booths for students to register to vote and join campus-based baseball and basketball leagues.

Many speakers took time to stress the importance of celebrating the 40th Anniversary of a speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. at Sac State, which will be commemorated Oct. 16.

Students spoke of the anniversary and told the crowd the event would not have been possible had it not been for Dr. King’s activism and sacrifice for equality.

Lana Saipaia can be reached at [email protected]