SPRINGFIELD ― When Makiah Warren arrived at American International College as a first‑year student, she immediately found community in Persons Ready in Defense of Ebony (P.R.I.D.E.), the campus’s oldest student‑run organization.
Now an alumna and staff advisor, she is helping guide the group through this year’s Black History Month programming as it prepares for its annual Black Excellence Ball on Feb. 27 and its spring fashion show in April — continuing a 57‑year legacy of cultural expression.
Founded in 1968 to support students of African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American heritage, P.R.I.D.E. has grown into a cornerstone of cultural life at AIC.
Over the decades, the organization has created space for students to celebrate identity, confront social issues and build community.
Its evolution from a support network into a hub for cultural programming mirrors the changing needs of the student body.
That evolution is reflected in this year’s Black History Month events. According to a college spokesperson, the programming builds on the organization’s long‑standing mission while reinforcing the sense of community it has cultivated across generations.
This year’s lineup leans heavily on student leadership, with members curating programs that blend education, celebration and community care.
Alongside social gatherings, students are organizing peer‑led conversations on identity, creative showcases and collaborations with other campus groups — all designed to strengthen the visibility of Black culture on campus ahead of the Black Excellence Ball. The ball will be held Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Campus Center Auditorium.
The organization’s creative work continues into the spring, when it stages its annual fashion show, now one of the college’s most anticipated events.
Over time, the show has become a platform for artistic expression and a point of pride for alumni who return to see how each new class interprets culture and identity.
Warren said in a recent AIC alumni magazine feature that leading the organization feels “both heavy and rewarding,” noting the responsibility of carrying forward decades of history while creating events for today’s students.
She said last year’s fashion show theme — inspired by the elements — encouraged each scene to show its own personality and gave students space to express themselves.
College officials say the organization remains vital because it creates environments where students can engage with the triumphs, challenges and history of Black people while building community that includes those with intersecting identities whose voices are often overlooked.