OMA Hosts Inaugural BIPOC Ladies Luncheon
By: Stacy Chen, Leela Gandhi, Jenna Silvestri
Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) and female-identifying students entered Grainger Auditorium for the Academy’s first annual BIPOC Ladies Luncheon on March 28, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) and the co-heads of Transitions, an affinity group available to women-identifying Black and Latinx students. The Luncheon was available to all women of color-identifying students on campus.
Popular music by women of color played over the speakers as the luncheon began at noon with a game of bingo where attendees introduced themselves. Afterwards, lunch consisting of Cajun Chicken, Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers and rice and black beans was served. The planned discussion was cancelled due to time constraints. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, the event had a capacity of 40 students; formal wear was optional.
Many attendees enjoyed the event and expressed their appreciation for the Academy’s focus on BIPOC women.
Lower Alexa Murat described her favorite part of the luncheon. “We [the attendees] took some pictures of the luncheon and everyone looked so gorgeous,” Murat said. “It was a good space for us to come together and be in the company of women who share similar characteristics of our identities. The luncheon celebrated what it means to be a BIPOC female student.”
“The Academy should put as much emphasis on events like this [as] it does for E/a and trustees lunches and donor events,” Murat added.
The luncheon was also a time to meet new people.
“I enjoyed being able to talk to other BIPOC that I probably wouldn’t have talked to otherwise,” upper Diwura Adesanya said.
Lower Lara Muyombwe commented on the event’s welcoming environment. “The most memorable moment was just the feeling of community and being in a place where I was truly welcome. Seeing so many other faces that looked like mine was something my childhood self would have only longed for,” she said.
“Everyone looked so beautiful in their fancy dresses and flawless makeup,” prep Nupur Malhotra said.
Senior Natalie Karakey particularly liked the bingo game. “The most memorable moment from the luncheon was just walking around with my bingo sheet trying to get a row of five filled out,” Karakey said. “There were voices chattering everywhere and it was very reminiscent of pre-Covid times.”
Upper Keona Edwards shared her hopes for more conversation between attendees. “I know they gave us the option of prompted discussion towards the end, but I think it would be nice if they mixed us up so we weren’t just talking with friends. Or perhaps arranging the seats so that we can comfortably talk with more than just the person directly in front of us next time,” she said.
Senior Christina Xiao noted the event’s seating limitations due to COVID-19. “I do wish this event had been held in an even larger space, since I know there are a lot more BIPOC female students here, and we can’t all fit in that room with COVID guidelines,” she said.
“It means there are opportunities for women of color to be appreciated and celebrated when so often they can feel like an afterthought on campus,” Lower Lydia Osei said.
Karakey agreed. “[The luncheon is] a step towards the Academy’s acknowledgement and uplifting of BIPOC women,” she said. “I’m excited to see this continue in the following years, especially when it can be held on a much larger (and less socially distanced) scale.”
Xiao also commented on the significance of the event. “This luncheon has made me feel grateful for how minorities at Exeter support each other so strongly,” she said. “It sent the message that each of us has a place here and belongs.”