On Thursday, Sept. 12, the first-ever World’s Largest Tamia Line Dance event was held in GCSU’s Magnolia Ballroom, and the music took over central campus. This event was hosted by the Office of Inclusion and Belonging, along with the Black, Latino and Asian Student Alliances.
Any student or staff member was welcome to the event to emphasize The Hub’s goal of inclusiveness. During the event, volunteers with OIB asked that attendees sign their names and collect any of The Hub. merch that included calendar lists and button pins in the ballroom lobby.
There was an incredible turnout of the practice event held the week before. The volunteers were given the chance to teach line dancing to whoever attended the main event. A GCSU Department of Theatre and Dance instructor, Desaree Murden played a large part in making this event both authentic and inclusive to anyone willing to learn the dance.
“A culture of connectedness on campus that fosters positive morale and mutual respect for all students, faculty and staff,” said Jennifer Birch, coordinator at the Office of Inclusion and Belonging, when asked about the goal of the event.
At GCSU, the OIB promotes the belief that every student matters no matter how small a group may be.
During the event, there was popular, lively music drawing in students and staff. The overall energy was very high and everyone that went was very excited to be there and win fun door prizes. Current students can include themselves in future events like this to help teach the GCSU community about cultural activities that would otherwise go unknown.
“It requires a lot of intricate footwork, but it’s so popular in African American community circles,” Birch said.
The popularity and culture behind the dance, she says, is what inspired this event that she ran.
The overall turnout of the event was less than expected with only 20 people showing up. In the middle of the scheduled event, there were a total of 15 people dancing in the ballroom to popular music.
“I know someone on the board for the Black Student Alliance and he recommended to check it out,” said Jayden, an attendee at the event.
Some people gain awareness of events like this through recommendations and friends.
“Usually, I first start going to campus events to hang out with friends that go to them,” said Elijah Reyelts, who likes to go to events hosted by The Hub.
Unfortunately, Reyelts did not attend the event, but would have been more likely to in the case that the event was brought up by a friend.
The event was downsized and moved because of the weather that moved in Thursday afternoon. Without the inclusion of the event’s backup location on campus signs, students were not well informed on whether or not the event would have continued.
