On an average day, black Iowa State students would have to search out at least five buildings on campus to get information about organizations targeted toward them.

But Tuesday night at the second annual Black Fest, 14 organizations had information tables set up to provide students with information.

More than 150 people participated in the event at the Great Hall of the Memorial Union to get informed and meet new people. The Black Student Alliance, which sponsors Black Fest, also had a booth set up.

Meron Wondwosen, president of the Black Student Alliance, said Black Fest is a venue where different organizations representing African American students can distribute information to freshmen, transfer students and current students.

“I am excited because we had participation from the Alliance, most of the historically black fraternities and sororities, Minority Student Affairs, September 29th Movement and Government of the Student Body,” Wondwosen said.

Roxanne Smith, a sophomore in accounting and management information systems, said she came to Black Fest to learn about different organizations and to find out what events will be going on throughout the year.

While munching on iced-covered animal crackers, Smith said another advantage of attending Black Fest was the chance to socialize and meet new people.

Jackie Sowell, program director of BSA, said she thinks Black Fest increases the involvement of black students in organizations targeted toward them.

Kevin Miles, adviser of Phi Beta Sigma, helped at the event.

He said his organization set up an information table at Black Fest because the event is an outlet that allows them to give information about their organization.

It was the first time MSA had a information table at Black Fest. Rafael Rodriguez, director of MSA, said MSA will have a lot of programs coming up this year.

One of their first programs planned is “Managing Your Money,” which will be held Sept. 17 in Carver Hall. Rodriguez said a lot of problems minority students have are money-driven.

Rodriguez said many times students don’t know how to manage their financial aid money. He said many students who fall into financial difficulty resort to taking out loans.

“One of the main goals of the program is to let students know that we’ve been in their situation before,” Rodriguez said.

For this year, Rodriguez said MSA is making a constant effort to inform students about the office. “We can’t reach everyone through 301 Beardshear,” he said. “You have to go out to the students.”

GSB also made an effort to reach students.

Rob Wiese, president of GSB, was present and had a table set up for students to sign up for committees.

Brandon Tate, vice president of National Society of Black Engineers and a junior in mechanical engineering, said several interested students stopped by his informational table.

Tate said his main reason for participating in Black Fest was to introduce new freshmen to NSBE and to promote and attract interest. He said he became involved in NSBE when he was a freshman.

Tate said he thought Black Fest will help him to recruit more students for NSBE’s first meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 10.