Listen Here
By Monica Crawford
crawfordm3@findlay.edu
The University of Findlay’s Black Student Union will host its Black Tie celebration at Alexandria’s on Feb. 20, concluding Spirit Week 2026.
Spirit Week began on Feb. 16 with Melanin Monday, where students wore brown around campus. It will end on the 20th with Black is Beautiful Friday, where students wear black to the Black Tie at Alexandria’s, finishing the week as the grand finale.
“Black Tie is honestly the most important event in the Findlay calendar,” said Chiamaka Izuegbunam, president of the Black Student Union. “It’s a time for people to dress up, get together, and have a good time.”
On campus, the Black Tie is an enjoyable time that radiates great fun and celebratory vibes.
“It gives school dance, but a lot better,” said Malea Bess, vice president of the Black Student Union.
However, the festivity has a much deeper meaning for the Black Student Union.
“For BSU, it is a great way to diversify ourselves because this is a predominantly white institution,” said Lydia Smith, treasurer of the Black Student Union. “With this big event, people can get to know us and our culture a lot better.”
As such, significant effort was put into planning the project from a multitude of members within the organization.
“We all worked together on this project with different jobs,” said Smith. “Chiamaka and Malea were in contact with Alexandria’s and worked on the contracts and food, while Morgan and I did the planning and ordering of the decorations, and Key dealing with the social media and getting our name out there.”
“It was a long process to organize the event; we have been working on it since November,” said Izuegbunam. “With all the changes with SGA, it was a little bit more difficult to organize this year, but we were able to get it done, so we are really proud of this project.”
Throughout this process, student recommendations have been influencing decision-making to meet the needs of students attending.
“Since the beginning of the year, we have had 10 people DM us about when Black Tie is and if we are still hosting at Alexandria’s,” said Izuegbunam. “That is why this year it will be our second time at Alexandria’s—students just loved it so much, and we want to fulfill their needs.”
Consequently, some changes have been implemented to add some flair and make this year’s Black Tie stand out.
“We are also having a crepe truck because this year’s theme is Parisian,” said Izuegbunam. “Everyone gets a free crepe from the local Sweetness of Paris, a beautiful cafe with an amazing man who runs the place; such a sweetheart.”
The Black Student Union invites all UF students to partake in the festivities. The crepes are not the only thing free; the event is entirely free of charge, no sign-up or registration is required. The Black Tie will be held at 7 p.m. at Alexandria’s, located at 132 East Crawford Street, 1.3 miles off campus
