Now in its fourth year, the Lotus Banquet returned to Emerson Suites on April 12, offering women of color at Ithaca College a space to celebrate their identities at a time when national discourse continues to challenge Diversity Equity and Inclusion efforts. Hosted by Sister 2 Sister, the evening centered on the theme of “Reclamation,” and encouraged attendees to embrace visibility and affirm their worth in a space created for and by them.

S2S is a student organization that strives to empower women of color at the college by providing a safe and affirming space grounded in community and care. The group meets weekly to foster open dialogue around identity, belonging and shared experiences, offering members a space to connect with one another beyond the classroom. 

S2S encourages members to care for their wellness and embrace their identities through events like “Care For Your Crown,” a self-care and haircare event with Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. They also hosted “Herbs and Remedies,” a natural remedy workshop with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Academic support is another key element: students often exchange tips for navigating institutional challenges and accessing campus resources. Socially, S2S partners with other organizations led by students of color to host bonding events and promote a culture of mutual support both on and off campus by encouraging collaboration between affinity groups.

The Lotus Banquet is S2S’s largest annual event, bringing together students, performers and community members to honor the voices of students of color and celebrate identity in a shared space of recognition and joy.

This year’s banquet opened with a welcome from members of S2S, followed by a series of performances and keynote speeches. The organization described the event as a night to empower students of color by celebrating their beauty and resilience and embracing their full identity.

The evening featured performances from student groups across campus including Katalyst, the college’s first and only K-Pop dance group; NUVO, the college’s first BIPOC-aligned a capella group; Amani Gospel Choir and Pulse Hip-Hop. Phenomenon, Cornell University’s only non-Greek co-ed step team, also performed. Many of these groups are composed primarily of students of color and the banquet offered them a platform to celebrate their identities through performance.

First-year student Tamia Silvera, a member of S2S, said that attending her first Lotus Banquet marked an important moment in her time at the college.

“Being at a predominantly white institution, being surrounded by people that look like us is cool,” Silvera said. “With a lot of uncertainty about what DEI stuff could change and look like, having your community and a network of people you can turn to is really good.”

Reclamation, defined as the act of retrieving or recovering something that was lost or taken, aligns closely with S2S’s mission to create and protect affirming spaces for women of color. It emphasizes restoring ownership over identity and community. The theme comes at a time of growing conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion efforts nationally. 

Junior Aysia Louis, vice president of S2S, said recent pressures from national backlash against DEI initiatives have informed the group’s mission.

“There’s definitely a lot of unspoken tension,” Louis said. “That tension has been more of an opportunity to continue to do our mission and … provide a safe space for BIPOC individuals and make sure they feel safe, heard and empowered in a society that’s making them feel otherwise.”

Louis added that S2S has recently focused more on wellness and emotional care, regularly checking in with members and offering support when needed. She shared a personal moment that underscored the importance of the organization’s mission.

“I was the most recent recipient of one of the scholarships under investigation,” Louis said. “Hearing that there’s a narrative surrounding it that’s negative — and quite opposite of the reasoning for it — was definitely a shock. But honestly, it gave us even more reason to put our feet to the ground … and keep doing what we’re here to do.”

Junior MoeMureen Doherty, the group’s treasurer, addressed how the organization is often perceived as only being concerned with institutional DEI efforts.

“We’re not just here for diversity,” Doherty said. “We are good at what we do, we uphold excellence … we can compete with the best … when it comes to events when it comes to caring for our community.”

The organization’s work extends beyond campus. Louis discussed recent outreach efforts with the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, part of a broader goal to connect with younger students and local community members.

“I grew up here,” Louis said. “I know as a teen I wanted people to reach out to me … so that’s really been a goal with us.”

Sophomore Nina Mananu reflected on what drew her to the organization and what the evening represented to her.

“I was searching for a space that felt safe, affirming and deeply connected to my identity as a woman of color,” Mananu said. “Sister 2 Sister … became a support system rooted in healing, reflection and self-empowerment.”

Mananu described the theme of reclamation as deeply personal, connecting it to her desire for a space where she could feel seen and supported as a woman of color. She said her decision to join S2S stemmed from a desire to find community at a PWI one that reflected her lived experiences and affirmed her identity.

“[It] means embracing all the parts of myself that have been pushed to the margins — my culture, my voice, my confidence — and honoring them without apology,” Mananu said.

Mananu also addressed the broader challenges facing DEI initiatives on campus.

“The inconsistencies in how [these issues] are addressed reveal how conditional support can feel,” Mananu said. “It’s made me more aware of the need to protect spaces like Sister 2 Sister… spaces genuinely invested in our growth and well-being.”

Attendees responded enthusiastically to the evening’s programming. From student performances to playful superlatives like “Most Likely to Perform at the Super Bowl” and “Most Likely to Be the Drippiest in Class,” the banquet included moments of reflection and celebration.

Keynote speakers Eden Strachan ’21, founder of Black Girls Don’t Get Love, and Semaj Campbell-Blakes, a PhD student in history at Syracuse University, addressed the audience with personal stories and messages focused on identity, perseverance and purpose.

Strachan referenced the writings of Audre Lorde.

“Turn silence into language because your silence will not protect you,” Strachan said. “I would never have achieved what I did if I didn’t speak up and take up space.”

Strachan also encouraged students to embrace their narratives by speaking up and taking ownership of their identities. She referenced her own journey of launching her company while still being a student, despite fears of how it might affect her professional life.

Campbell-Blakes reflected on the significance of belonging in academic spaces. As a woman of color in history — a male-dominated field — she shared that she has often felt isolated in her program, an experience that she said shaped her understanding of the imposter syndrome many BIPOC students face at PWIs.

“You deserve to be here not because someone made room for you, but because your ancestors dreamed you into this space,” Campbell-Blakes said.

She concluded with a call and response affirmation that echoed many of the night’s themes: community support, identity and perseverance. Throughout the banquet, students shared personal reflections on staying grounded amid challenges to DEI efforts. Performances, speeches and peer recognition created a space that centered students of color both individually and collectively. As the event came to a close, the final words spoken in unison carried the tone of the event forward.

“I am worthy,” Campbell-Blakes said. “I am powerful. I belong here. And I will thrive.”