Tuesday evening, the Minority Mens Leadership Circle hosted an event called Kater to You in Whitewater Café on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union.

Entrance to the event was free, and included free food, free massages and live entertainment.

The goal of the evening was to pamper the women in attendance.

“We’re catering to the ladies,” said Ndjo Shosola, leader of the Minority Mens Leadership Circle. “It’s to show girls appreciation.”

The event began at 7 p.m. with an invitation for the guests to help themselves to free food and massages. There were two masseuses who worked throughout the two hour event.

Kater to You is an annual event that is currently in its fifth year. There were an estimated 260 guests this year, compared to last year’s 170.

“There was a huge turnout,” said Aaron Smith, a junior economics and marketing major. “This was a really good event.”

Zac Faw, graduate assistant at Appalachian Popular Programming society, said that they wanted a bigger room because they knew the turnout would be so large.

“This event is to show that men of different minorities can show leadership,” Faw said. “It’s to bring cultural awareness.”

Throughout the night, the entertainment included poetry readings, performances by Entropy, Voicemail and Run ENX, as well as a dance by hip-hop dance crew H20.

Between each performance, there was time for socializing and for more refreshments.

“I love that both black and white communities can come together,” said Adana Campbell, member of Appalachian’s Council for Cultural Awareness. “Usually events are so one sided.”

This is only one event of “The Week of Black Love.” There is one event each night and the week is concluded by “A Black Love Affair” on Friday night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Story: CHELLA MCLELLAND, Intern A&E Reporter

Photo: COURTNEY ROSKOS, Senior Photographer