Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Tommy Tang promotes diversity with their open membership. They combine their passion for dance with a passion for service to make the group feel like a family. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tommy Tang Senior psychology major, Mark Clayton, performs a vertical stall on Monday at a Fade to Black practice. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tommy Tang [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tommy Tang [Click to enlarge]

Increasing diversity and equal opportunities for both genders and all races is commendable, but true diversity is more than just numbers. The Texas A&M Fade to Black dance ensemble promotes diversity and the understanding of cultures through traditional dance.

"Our purpose as an organization is to promote diversity through dance," said Mark Clayton, a senior psychology major and Fade to Black treasurer. "It's an easy avenue for us to affect a lot of people because everybody can relate to it."

Fade to Black was founded at Texas A&M in 1991 by a group of African-American female students, according to Justin Garner, a senior sports management major and president of the organization. They wanted to address the lack of diversity by bringing an awareness of African-American culture to Aggieland and surrounding communities. Now there's a Fade to Black chapter at Sam Houston State University as well.

"We started as an all black, all girl group," said Fade to Black vice president Shadaria Stubblefield. "Now look at how diverse we are - I love that."

Fade to Black holds auditions each fall and spring and the only requirement is that applicants must be enrolled at Texas A&M. Applicants must fill out an application including a written essay, learn two dance routines and then audition for the executive members. Fade to Black specializes in hip hop, but they are open to all types of dance.

"We don't limit ourselves to hip hop," said Irena Harold, a senior telecommunications major and Fade to Black director of dance. "Applicants are welcome to introduce new dance styles. We even include a salsa routine."

The executives of Fade to Black stress that they are not defined only by dance. Fade to Black is a close-knit group of friends who are passionate about dance and serving their community. Clayton said the members are involved in multiple community service projects by participating in programs at Bryan High and Big Event.

"I'm a big proponent for service," Clayton said. "I volunteer at Bryan High on Tuesdays and Thursdays and a lot of our members help out with the AVID program that helps kids in minority groups apply to college."

With community service projects, performances and special forums, the members of Fade to Black stay busy in order to fulfill their mission to increase diversity. According to Clayton, the ensemble performs by request for campus events and University organizations. They have also performed in competitions and off-campus events. They won the "So You Think Aggies Can Dance" competition in January.

"We were named the number one dance team in Aggieland last January - I think that's all you need to know," Stubblefield said.

"We get together and discuss diversity," Harold said. "We also watch movies like 'Crash' to keep our members aware of all cultures."

"We're growing in popularity and we want to keep our members focused on our purpose and keep it relatable," Clayton said. "We have a cultural program for our members that's like a forum where we discuss relevant issues like affirmative action."

The Fade to Black executives have worked to ensure that their membership is open to everyone, not just minority groups. Total diversity is important for the organization to maintain and continue to spread the positive effects of a diverse University.

"Just in the four years I've been here, I've seen a huge change in the ethnic groups on campus. It's a work in progress and it's important to keep making strides in the right direction," Clayton said.

Harold said Fade to Black is able to keep its goal at heart because the members are close - like a second family. The members and executives spend time with each other by participating in community service and going to CiCi's pizza to keep their relationship strong. By specializing in hip hop dance, Fade to Black has been acclaimed for their dancing skills. Anyone with a passion for dance and service is welcome to audition.

"With our growing popularity and involvement on campus and in the community, Fade to Black dance ensemble hopes to become another great Aggie tradition," Garner said.

Fade to Black will host their annual spring show on April 26 at Rudder. The entire community is welcome to purchase tickets and support the ensemble. The organization works to promote knowledge of various cultures among its members.

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