The Trill-ogy (Black Formal)

About Black Formal

Northwestern has committed itself to diversity, as proven by the number of policy changes in admission and financial aid that seek to incorporate students of more varying backgrounds into the population of undergraduates. However, a diverse environment is not necessarily analogous with an inclusive environment. Inclusivity, as many of us know, requires an understanding of power dynamics and privilege, and an intentional effort to ensure equity for all students. For the third year in a row, a collective of students within the Black community, representative of members that both do and do not hold official leadership positions in other Black organizations, have joined together to continue organizing the premier event of the year for the Black community, the Third Annual Black Formal: The Trill-ogy.

For the past two years, Black Formal has hosted one of the largest and most attended events on campus. This formal has become a prominent fixture in the Black undergraduate experience in only two years of existence. Students have voiced how amazing it is to meet so many new faces and see so many Black students, and how validated and safe they felt. This Formal has provided a space for Black students to expand their understanding of the scope and diversity of Northwestern's Black community as a whole and allowed us to reflect on our own Blackness, how it's presented, and how it can be such a unifying identity in a place that can often feel very isolating.

This year’s event, Black Formal Presents: The Trill-ogy, is slated to occur in spring 2019 per the Black student body’s wishes. We anticipate finalizing a venue by the end of fall quarter and will be posting save the dates with an official date and location. All of the money raised will directly go toward fundraising events to support the Formal. Thank you in advance!