In living color

Keeping tradition alive

Ferris students prepare for spring by wearing a mixture of lighter pieces while holding onto the winter trends of dark-colored boots. Photo by: Will Holden | Torch Photographer

You Beautiful Black Woman (YBBW) will be honoring the new LGBTQ+ Resource Center in a fun, colorful way.

Being a registered student organization (RSO) that focuses on the unification of the Ferris community, YBBW hosts their annual fashion show with different themes every year.

This year’s theme is In Living Color, featuring a diverse group of people modeling different sections of color. The fashion show will include various forms of art and creativity including singing, dancing and poetry, all while representing other countries, cultures and organizations on campus.

Being in its 29th year, Ferris criminal justice senior and YBBW fashion show committee volunteer Da’meea Taylor loves being able to see everyone express themselves through fashion.

“Seeing students of various backgrounds come together, motivate one another and step outside of their comfort zone is so amazing,” Taylor said. “Keeping the tradition of the fashion show is important because there are so many talents on this campus and with all the features to this show, students love to showcase them.”

YBBW wants all students to feel welcomed on campus and realize that having a resource center for LGBTQ+ students is a huge deal that should be celebrated.

Ferris psychology junior and YBBW fashion show committee volunteer De’toria Haire loves the energy surrounding the day of the fashion show.

“It’s great to see all the hard work you’ve put into planning the show finally come together,” Haire said. “You see everyone having fun, you see the crowd interacting, and it’s just a great feeling and a great vibe.”

LGBTQ+ Resource Center coordinator Sarah Doherty is excited to see the hard work YBBW has been putting forward for the show.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing their signature event,” Doherty said. “In my time on campus, I’ve found YBBW events to be very thoughtful and thoroughly prepared. Their events are always really excellent, so I’m excited purely on that level.”

Doherty is also excited to see the creativity Ferris students and other community members have with fashion and is thrilled that YBBW has been reaching out to LGBTQ+ community members to make the fashion show an event with lots of diverse people.

The YBBW fashion show is sponsored by The Office of Multicultural Student Services and the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and will take place 6 p.m. Friday, April 5 in the University Center Ballroom 202.

YBBW is always looking for new members and welcomes anyone of any background. Interested students can contact the organization at ybbwferris@nullgmail.com. For more information on the fashion show, students can contact Taylor at taylod43@nullferris.edu.