The MUC ballroom was filled with students elegantly dressed and ecstatic for the evening as the Wilbur N. Daniel African American Cultural Center’s third annual Night of Melanin Magic Awards Ceremony and Gala commenced Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Laughter and conversations echoed throughout the room as students proudly displayed their handmade art pieces, certificates and awards while socializing with one another.
While the flyer said to dress to impress, there was much more to the evening than formal wear and awards; the event served as a space of recognition, reflection and community. Bright smiles and even tears of joy filled the room as students were called to receive their awards.
After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate. Conversations continued over great food, and music filled the ballroom as students joined together for line dancing, a fitting way to honor the achievements.
For Aliyah Yates, receiving the Graduate Studies Award for her field was meaningful.
“For me, being the first to graduate in my family, I felt such an honor to receive this award,” Yates said.
Yates, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is pursuing a second bachelor’s in biology, aims to pursue a career in forensics.
Logan Wallace, recipient of the Outstanding Scholar Award, is a history major with a minor in African American Studies. She reflected on both her academic journey and the importance of preserving the program in these times.
“Black history and preserving culture is huge…if no one else joins, it kind of dies out,” Wallace said.
For Jayden Yates, a senior criminal justice major who received the Outstanding Scholar Award from the College of Behavioral Health and Sciences, this award inspired him to move forward.
“To me, this award means a lot because my career path is to be a criminologist,” Yates said. “This achievement award was very rewarding to me because it shows me how hard work pays off and that if I can achieve this, I could rise high in my career path and be great.”
While each recipient’s story differed, they all shared the same opinion that this recognition not only served as validation but also as motivation.
As the evening concluded, the Night of Melanin Magic stood as more than just an award ceremony; it was also a reminder of achievement, resilience and the importance of celebrating excellence within the campus community.
