Around 6,000 people came out to the intramural field Saturday in the nearly 90-degree weather to enjoy the free barbecue ribs and chicken, giveaways and live entertainment at this year’s Be Out Day.
The 12th annual Be Out Day set the scene for live entertainment from community groups and a health fair.
“One of my missions when I became the adviser was to allow students to become more involved. The students played a significant role in logistics,” said Student Government Association adviser. “We are now trying to segment the market and make it available to children, alumni and students.”
The focus for this Be Out Day was to make the event more enjoyable to the community.
Along with local dance troupes, many gospel singers, jazz artists, spoken word poets and rap artists participated to appeal to everyone in the crowd.
The health science students set up tables with information on HIV/AIDS in Gaither Gymnasium. They were also available to answer question about protective sex.
SGA wanted to appeal to more than FAMU students.
“I believe the community is FAMU and FAMU is the community. This day also provided live entertainment, local groups and local venues can be recognized. The programming has been phenomenal,” said Ramon Alexander, student body president.
Alexander also said the day ” is another recruitment tool that FAMU has to promote future enrollment.”
Although many citizens and students said they enjoyed the food and entertainment, some wish it would have be better advertised.
The Florida A&M University SGA hosted the event, but Boeing, the new sponsor made the day come together, a Boeing representative said.
“Daryl Pelc produced the funds and he was the person behind the scenes who made this happen,” said Denise Bolar, the diversity and external technical affiliate program manager for the Boeing company.
“Pelc came on a special trip to recruit students during a past career day and met with Interim President Castell V. Bryant. The subject of Be Out Day came up and he was impressed by the event and students,” said David Blanding, the technical member of a Boeing focal group.
“Daryl Pelc thought it would be a good opportunity to expose our brand to the greater Tallahassee community,” Blanding said.
Blanding said Boeing has been a supporter of FAMU for 20 years.
With the help of the company, student volunteers and SGA members came together to plan a successful day, according to the SGA adviser.
“It was an extra effort to really make this event happen. Boeing is the sponsor because Col. (Ronald) Joe and sponsorship office have been excellent in planning the event. We had strong student participation,” Cole, SGA adviser, said.
“I wish there was more entertainment for the children. It’s been a lot of word of mouth. They need to advertise more to the community,” said Lyris Butts, a parent and participant at Be Out Day.
Many students said they enjoyed the activities despite the heat and canceled acts.
“It’s been the hottest Be Out Day and the longest time I have had to be patient and wait on an artist. It was a really good turnout though,” said Johnnie Moore III, 20, a political science student from Miami.
The event was also used to inform students about the march on April 21 for Martin Lee Anderson. Anderson was killed after being restrained and kneed in a Bay County boot camp.
Sign-up sheets were passed around at Be Out Day to get the community to commit to the march.
For more information on the march students can contact the SGA office.
Contact Sarah Chester at famuannews@hotmail.com
Click the link below to see more photos from Be Out Day 2006. Courtesy of Curtis Blur Jr./The Famuan.
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