Over 150 people lined up to enter the Welcome Back BBQ last week at The Brass Tap in Marina. This event was so popular amongst locals that guests were lining up to get food an hour before the event officially began.
Presented by The Helen Rucker Center for Black Excellence and in partnership with the affinity centers and the Black Students United. It also included Cal State Monterey Bay faculty, community members and employees of The Brass Tap..
“I think that it’s going great, we seen a lot of new faces. I’m so super excited about the turn out,” said Raimi Elenes M.
“These events are super important to new incoming students and also to our old students to just build community. Let them know about the campus, let them know their peers, and seek community color and people who look like them excelling in academics,” said Elenes.
Smooth music set the tone when you entered the venue which included: R&B, soul, and hip-hop that were being played by DJ Marz (Matthew Lamar), a recently graduated CSUMB student.
The Wave and City Bus were filled with CSUMB students going to and from this event as the day progressed.
Different faces from all walks of life were vibing in attendance, including international students, children, teens, adults and even the seniors. The event began with a brief introduction of all the honorable student body and staff in attendance.
“A lot of different cultures came into the building and it was a good time…The highlight of the event was the game of ‘Guess a Song’” said fourth year, Khaleah Holmes.
Free food was provided for everyone in this private event in a blocked off section of the bar and restaurant where people were allowed to bring guests at no cost. The food included chicken wings, pepperoni/cheese pizza, sliders w/ french fries and more. Everything was so popular that most of it ran out before the event officially started.
“I heard about this event through my grandma, and one of her friends…The food was good. I don’t have a particular favorite part, because it was all good,” said high school student, Jason Baker.
Many different games were also played throughout the event such as trivia, board/card games and corn hole. There was also a segment where fourth-year student Mister Veazie led the crowd in a game of “Guess That Tune.”
A group photo was taken as a sign of the event’s success. Prizes were also given out at the end of the event, which included a raffle at the end with a wide variety of different prizes and merchandise.