Originally, food was believed to have an effect on the soul. Black families would prepare dinners for their extended families to heal the heart.

The Black Student Alliance will hold a soul food dinner to celebrate the tradition Friday.

“This food is called ‘soul food’ because the food truly brings happiness to your soul,” says Ashley Holloway, junior in community and regional planning and BSA Treasurer.

“The phrase has been around for over 60 years and when you mention ‘soul food,’ every black person knows exact what type of food to expect.

“It is part of the black culture and it is what most black families eat on a weekly basis.”

The BSA chose to finish its celebration of “Black Love Week” with a traditional Soul Food Dinner, to end the week on a comforting note.

Many students have a unique menu item they bring continually each year, says Shelley Whitehead, junior in marketing and BSA member.

“Everyone has their own ‘specialty dish’ to add to the assortment,” Whitehead says. “It’s called ‘soul food’ because back in the day, it was thought to be able to fix your soul and make you feel good.”

Sarai Arnold, president of BSA, agrees the food is worth it.

“Whatever they’re making is sure to be delicious,” says Arnold, junior in biology.

“Black Love Week” has been taking place for ten years. In addition to the Soul Food Dinner, the week includes traditional events like a public performance of the Black National Anthem and Black Men’s and Women’s Appreciation Days.

The purpose of the week is to spread diversity and awareness around the Iowa State Campus about the African-American community.

Some of the dishes likely to turn out will be collard greens, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, black-eyed peas, pies and cakes. Arnold says everything will be prepared lovingly by the students attending, and the atmosphere will add to the feelings of community that “Black Love Week” has hoped to achieve, even in its beginnings.

“We hope to encourage the hearts of people on campus by showing and spreading love toward our fellow men and women,” Arnold says. “Black Love Week began because we recognized the need for students of African descent at predominantly white institutions to know that we are appreciated.”

The love aspect of the week-long celebration is an important aspect, Whitehead says. It is not just romantic love, though.

“When we say ‘Black Love,’ we mean every kind of love and just saying ‘I appreciate what you do.'”

A new addition to this year’s meal will be a showing of “Black Love Movies.” In past years, this event has had its own day, but the BSA cabinet felt these two events would compliment one another. Movies shown will be examples of positive black relationships in film, including “Love Jones,” “Love and Basketball” and “Brown Sugar.”

“What better way to end the week?,” Arnold says.

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What: Black Love Week Soul Food Dinner and Black Love Movies

Where: Black Cultural Center, 517 Welch Ave.

When: 5 p.m., Sunday

Cost: Free