The pulsing beat of rap, the rhythmic cadence of spoken word and the honeyed notes of live music echoed through the Anderson Student Center Friday night as students performed to celebrate “Livin’ in Color Week.”

Hana, a multicultural awareness group on campus, and the Black Empowerment Student Alliance co-hosted events last week with a goal to celebrate student diversity. Other events included cultural dinners, student discussions and a trip to the “We are Hmong” Minnesota exhibit at the Minnesota History Center. Hana President Jessica Algoo said she thinks events like these bring an important perspective to campus.

“It gives people who feel as though they come from diverse backgrounds a chance – a place to come together,” she said.

Performers on Friday included students from St. Thomas and high school students from FAIR School Downtown, who were specially invited to the event. High school junior Eboni Jones sang and performed a spoken word piece.

“It just gives me a big rush when I get on stage,” she said. “It’s like an adrenaline rush.”

Senior Brittanie Hundt, Hana vice president of public relations, said the group hoped the week would friendships and expand an understanding of cultures beyond the members of the club to all of St. Thomas.

“Nights like this are to welcome people and kind of challenge our perspectives and grow together in a community,” Hundt said.

That’s why Hana collaborates with other clubs for effective Livin’ in Color weeks.

“It’s sort of a chance for everybody to come together and talk about things that matter,” Algoo said.

Elena Neuzil can be reached at neuz3833@stthomas.edu.