Roller skating, soul food and a step show are all ways students will be able to celebrate and appreciate black students this week.

Black Love Week, celebrating its 11th anniversary, is a tradition of expressing appreciation for black students.

“I think it’s necessary because there’s not a lot of black people at ISU — this is a chance for us to get together and know one another and show love towards one another,” said Ashley Holloway, treasurer of the Black Student Alliance. “There is still discrimination against minorities.”

Everyone is welcome to join the festivities, said Holloway, junior in community and regional planning.

“Just because it’s Black Love Week doesn’t mean it’s just for black people,” he said.

“We’re not trying to discriminate against anyone … despite the title, it’s open to everyone,” Holloway said.

Black Love Week allows people to take the time to tell one another how much he or she is appreciated, which doesn’t happen very often, said Alicia McGhee, press secretary for the Black Student Alliance.

Holloway said every black student is being e-mailed in order to draw larger groups to events during the week.

Black Student Alliance Vice President Edwin Harris said the Black Student Alliance should be a resource for black students as well as a campus presence that lasts forever.

Existing members become role models for new students and the club allows all students to build a relation with fellow black students, faculty and staff, he said.

The week’s events start at noon Monday in the space south of Parks Library.