On Friday Oct. 29, the Black Entertainment College Tour made its way to Prairie View A&M University. The event was held on the Memorial Student Center lawn from noon to 4 p.m. The BET Black College Tour was created in 2002 as part of an effort to support black colleges and universities. The tour is designed to provide relevant information and serve as an outreach to minority students. It is the largest black college tour of its kind visiting 13 schools in the duration of 10 weeks.
The event, which was presented by Crest Whitening Expressions, Pantene Pro V. Ultra Sheen, and Oil of Olay provided students with an array of interactive fun, a live performance, music, and games.
“The Black College Tour was a lot of fun, it was a positive event and there were also lots of samples and free giveaways,” said sophomore Whitney Walker.
Aside from the prizes and many giveaways, the Black College Tour featured a wide array of events for students to partake in. The event, which was hosted by BET’s Mad Linkz began at 12:15 p.m. with the jump-off where music was played and the event was set up.
From 12:30-1 p.m. the United States Air Force sponsored a singers spotlight, in which Prairie View’s finest displayed their singing skills.
The next event from 1-1:30 p.m. was the Pepsi sponsored flow contest, where students battled in a rapping competition.
This was followed from 1:30-2 p.m. by the concert, in which Universal Motown records group recording artist TQ performed.” My favorite part of the tour was when TQ performed, he put on a really good show,” said junior Danene Douglass.
From 2:15- 2:45 p.m. there was the three-point shoot competition sponsored by Verizon Wireless.
Another event held from 2:45-3:15 p.m., featuring the Foot Locker sponsored two on two hoops competition.
Other events were held all day including the Procter and Gamble beauty expo in which young ladies received a variety of beauty product samples from hair care products to skin care products and gift baskets. In the BET prize wheel event students would spin a prize wheel and be asked a question relevant to a sitcom on BET. Based on their answers they could win a T-shirt or other BET paraphernalia. For sports fans a football toss and a jump and fly event were held in which students battled for prizes.
The final event was a video game challenge in which students played the latest video games and showcased their interactive talents.
“Overall the BET Black College Tour was a huge success; although it was extremely hot everyone came out and represented Prairie View,” said junior Melanie Stanley. “There were no drama or fights and I had a really good time.