By Keir Bristol

Students of different cultures and backgrounds came together to express themselves and embrace each other at “Colored Aloud” Thursday. The event was held in the Cabral Center of the John D. O’Bryant African American Institute (AAI).

“Colored Aloud” is an open mic event held on the last Thursday of every month. It is organized by the three cultural centers at Northeastern: AAI, the Latino/a Student Cultural Center (LSCC) and the Asian American Center (AAC). The first “Colored Aloud” was held in October 2007.

Nuri Chandler-Smith, a coordinator at the AAI and co-founder of “Colored Aloud,” and Delia Cheung Hom, the director of the AAC, said they got the idea of an open mic from the students involved with the cultural centers. They then reached out to Rosa Williams, primary advisor for the LSCC. Williams collaborated with Hom and Chandler-Smith to get students involved with “Colored Aloud.”

“We wanted this to be a student-produced event … for the students, by the students,” Chandler-Smith said.

Students spread the word for the event through flyers, Facebook, e-mails and word of mouth.

The first event was successful, and “Colored Aloud” became a monthly tradition. Another open mic was held in November 2007, and January 2008 was the third (the December event did not take place because it would have fallen on winter break). This time, about 50 students came out to enjoy coffee and donuts, socialize, perform and support their peers.

Performances included singing, spoken word and even beat-boxing. Students signed up before the show, and later the floor was opened for impromptu performances. If students were uncomfortable reading their own pieces, a basket of poems sat in the middle of the floor and students were welcome to read from it. Pieces in the basket were hand selected by people from each of the cultural centers and were written by famous writers from various backgrounds.

“It went well.