On Feb. 17, students, staff and faculty gathered in the Ross Van Brunt Visitor’s Center for Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services' A Love Affair Gala. The gala, free for students, was a celebration of Black History Month and the various dimensions of love.

Rev. Karla Cooper opened the gala with a message. The reverend emphasized that love is instinctive, and people must love themselves before they can love others.

“We are born to love,” said Rev. Cooper. “You have to remember what you hate. Love is innate.”

Songstress Lisa Ann Taylor performed the classic love songs, “Save the Best for Last,” “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” “The First Time I Saw Your Face,” “At Last” and “I Believe in You and Me.”

For the rest of the evening, DJ KB played popular music, and attendees danced and socialized.

Graduate student Carnetta Griffin led the celebration’s planning committee. 

“I wanted there to be a formal event for people of color on campus,” said Griffin. “Fraternities and sororities have formals, but people who aren’t in them can’t enjoy the multiple dimensions of love. I wanted students, staff and faculty to have the opportunity to enjoy time together and dress up.”

Griffin hopes the gala will become an annual event.