ULM’s chapter of the NAACP hosted “For More Than the Culture,” giving members an opportunity to be vulnerable with one another about their spiritual journey. It also offered reassurance that the differences in one’s journey make it special.

“For More Than the Culture” opened with several students reading the biographies of prominent Black figures, including Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr. and Elizabeth Keckley. They discussed how spirituality played a role in these inspirational figures’ lives and decisions.

Each attendee anonymously wrote down how they see themselves. While many answered in relation to spirituality, NAACP left the prompt up for interpretation. One student identified as a sinner, another identifying as a perfect imperfection. These answers alone showed the range of which one can view the same question.

“One thing about the event that gave me an amazing revelation of my walk with Christ is that we should focus on his love, not being perfect,” freshman psychology major Jerriona Leonard said.

A poll allowed attendees to rate their feelings about their faith on a scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree. The highest statement was, “I love God, but I know I have more of myself to give to him.”

Many students shared similar experiences of how backing away from religious institutions allowed them to better understand their relationship with God.

After that discussion, speakers opened the panel for any questions about Jesus. This part of the event did not follow with discussion to allow attendees a semblance of privacy.

Afterward, guest speaker Kameron Hobley concluded the event by sharing his testimony, answering several common questions and clearing up most confusion.

“When I attended the ‘For More Than the Culture’ event, it left me knowing that even within religion, you can still be off-centered,” junior accounting major Ma’kyla Hudson said. “Religion is not your savior. It is what you pull from it that is your savior.”