Roots Revival, a celebration of Black and African cultures at ASU, returned for its third year on Sept. 4 with a core focus on community.
Hosted on the Downtown Phoenix campus in Civic Space Park, the Undergraduate Student Government Downtown and the Black African Coalition, along with other student organizations, worked to bring students together through music, food and games.
The event featured local Phoenix DJ, DJ J-ME LEE, Sweet Magnolia Smokehouse serving barbecue, a photo booth and games. Student organizations tabling at the event included USGD, BAC, the Black Student Association at Barrett, the National Association of Black Journalists at ASUandGreek life.
The Roots Revival planning process dates back to May, when Rei Tedoco, a senior studying journalism and USGD student body president, and her team began coordinating available locations, food services and tables for student organizations.
As a former director of inclusive excellence, Tedoco said she has seen the event develop since it first began three years ago, from theme changes to an increase in student-tabling participation.
"It's a reminder of the unique organizations that we have at ASU. Some of them are Greek life, some of them are professional-based, some of them are just peer-to-peer-based," Tedoco said. "Inviting them to Civic Space Park is a great way to connect with our Phoenix community, and we just allow students to have their own freedom in this space with music, local vendors, really just fostering that community."
AJ Osborne, a junior studying music and current USGD director of inclusive excellence, said the team referenced past events for inspiration, emphasizing the role connection plays during ASU welcome weeks.
Similar to USGD, BAC advocated for members to attend the event as a way to bring the community together and promote the variety of organizations ASU has available, its co-presidents said.
Marvin Andrea, a junior studying economics and co-president of BAC, said a goal of Roots Revival was for students to connect with one another.
"What I hope that guests or students get out of this experience is finding a community, as well as clubs that will help them further their lives professionally, socially, and just helping them find a space for themselves where they can feel comfortable in themselves to help them thrive and grow throughout college," Andrea said.
BAC Co-President Maya Richman, a junior studying Spanish linguistics and psychology, said she wanted students to leave feeling represented and like they have a "home away from home" that can provide a sense of belonging.
Preceding the football home opener against Morgan State, Roots Revival also worked to create new connections for Sun Devils in the community.
"Building affinity towards ASU, towards the campus and towards the different communities, like the athletic community, helping people get really excited about being here, being on campus, and upcoming events is huge," Richman said.
To do this, Tedoco emphasized following the ASU charter — which states ASU is "measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed." She also honed in on the student experience, whether that be through school spirit, ASU pride or tradition.
Tedoco said the event hopes to do this by creating opportunities for Sun Devils to bond.
"Our Downtown community is special," Tedoco said. "We have students from all different majors, professional majors, and students that come from all different backgrounds, so it's important for us to connect with them."
Edited by Dhemi Bell, Carsten Oyer, Grace Lawrence and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @cjojournalism on X.
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Char O’Neil is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in special events management. This is her third semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.
