Music and movement filled the Armour J. Blackburn Ballroom as Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Chapter held its first Walk Like A Sigma competition last Friday.
The event held on Feb. 20 opened with a performance that set an energetic tone for the evening, as music played and audience members filled the ballroom with cheers. Three teams competed in the showcase, each presenting choreographed routines with distinct themes and coordinated outfits. Members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. served as judges for the competition.
Mark Stewart, a junior civil engineering major from New York, attended to support one of his friends participating in the show.
“It was my first Greek showcase experience and I thought it was a pretty enjoyable experience,” said Stewart. While he thought his friend’s team, team three, deserved the win, he felt that everyone performed well. Team one ultimately took first place.
Anya Vai, a junior business management major from New York, decided to try out after members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. reached out to her dance group, Nexus.
“It was fun to actually be a part of it, especially as the inaugural group,” Vai said.
She said the collaboration and energy between the teams made the experience even more enjoyable.
“The different energies and vibes from everybody and the way we were all able to match and motivate each other was nice to see,” said Vai.
Da’Quan Cooney, a senior musical theater major from Atlanta, Georgia, was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in the spring of 2025 and served as the co-chair for the event. Cooney drafted the event, which originally started as a joke between him and his line brothers.
“We always joked about doing it, but our line is very adamant about creating new traditions and innovation to the chapter,” Cooney said.
But, what originally started as a joke eventually turned into a concrete plan to bring a new event to campus.
“We wanted to bring something new to campus and destigmatize the strict culture of Greek life,” Cooney said.
While Cooney had a tight turnaround, especially due to the loss in practice time with weather-related campus closures, he was happy to see his idea come to fruition.
“I do a lot of programming for other organizations, but this is probably my favorite large-scale program that I’ve put on,” Cooney said.
He also hoped the event would cement the Divine 9’s reputation as rooted in service.
“The whole premise of the competition was to raise money for a micro-scholarship and charity,” said Cooney. Each team represented a different charity, which the money would go to if they won.
The evening ended with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. members taking the stage, performing alongside members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Chapter.
The inaugural competition combined student performances with fundraising, leaving a mark on campus as both an entertaining and meaningful event.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
