UH Manoa’s Black Student Association and Sister Circle honor trailblazing pioneer

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Feb. 28 marks Alice Ball Day and the end of Black History Month, which commemorates the achievements of the first African American woman to graduate from UH Manoa and pioneer a treatment for leprosy.

In honor of her enduring legacy, Luffy Threats representing UH Manoa’s Black Student Association and Lajoya Shelly representing the the Sister Circle, joined HNN’s Sunrise Weekends to talk about her impact and their upcoming events.

“Alice Ball really represents for me the importance of using our education to be in service to others and also as a Black woman and a doctoral student, she represents what’s possible for my career in higher education as well,” Shelly said.

“She made the Ball method and the treatment for leprosy, her aura, her presence, her accomplishments just really exudes Black excellence and that’s something that I don’t take for granted and that’s something that I want everyone to understand as well,” Threats said.

In 2022, Gov. David Ige signed a proclamation that declared February 28 “Alice Augusta Ball Day” in Hawaii and launched an annual recognition ceremony on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus.

The proclamation signing ceremony will take place in various spots such as Hamilton Library and the Chaulmoogra tree which was used to help treat leprosy.

The Black Student Association was established in 2016 to support African Diaspora students’ academic and social success at UH Manoa and to promote and preserve Black studies. Sister Circle was established in 2022 to help women of color succeed in higher education.

There’s also a residency learning program in student housing devoted to Alice Ball, created for Black students that provides an immersive living experience honoring her legacy.

“It’s just an opportunity for students and others to understand and to see that even though that we aren’t the most populated demographic on Island and on campus, we are still here and we are very strong for sure,” Threats said.

Upcoming events include the Alice Ball Remembrance Walk on February 28 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Black Student Association’s Celebrating Black Joy event on February 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the campus center courtyard.

For more information about BSA, visit @BSAUHM.

For more information about Sister Circle, visit sistercirclemanoa.

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