Flickering candles, purple fabric, and soft jazz greeted those who walked into the Community Center on Nov. 19. This was not the preface for a romantic dinner party or a Hollywood awards ceremony, though some in attendance hoped to find themselves at the latter one day. This was the first event hosted by The Element, Guilford’s new talent competition series.
This event was for the purpose of networking, explained sophomore Ashley Campbell, who created the series with Africana Community Coordinator Jada Drew. Participants were invited to meet members of the music and art industries.
“It’s a chance for them (the participants) to practice their networking skills and further their careers,” Campbell said.
The Element grew out of Drew’s desire to create more events on campus and help aspiring entertainers by holding an open mic night.
“We started with the idea of an open mic and it took off from there to become a series of talent competitions, in an Apollo-like fashion,” said Campbell, explaining The Element’s origins.
Drew and Campbell decided to open the series to several different art forms and allow submissions in multiple categories.
“A great entertainer has to be multidimensional. You have to have an appreciation for the artwork and the way it’s developed,” said Campbell.
“This is not just for rap and hip hop,” said Jada Drew. “It’s open to everyone.”
Natasha Lake, publisher of The Prototype Magazine and one of The Element’s sponsors, was attracted to the series because it was a celebration of young people’s talents and passions.
“I think a lot of us have talents that kind of stay hidden in an educational realm, so I think it’s exciting that those are being pulled out and admired,” said Lake.
There will be four more events taking place once a month from now until April. In each event, contestants will compete in a different discipline — dance, spoken word, step, singing, or rapping — to win the favor of three judges.
Two of the judges will be industry members; the third will be chosen from the audience.
The winner and runner-up from each category will advance to the finale, where each will be eligible to win a $500 cash prize, a spread in a magazine, and the title of “The Element.”
Participants are attracted to The Element for its competitive aspect and the chance to perform.
Chauntell Miller, a first-year and spoken word artist, is glad that Guilford has found a new way to support its many talented entertainers.
“(The series is about) encouragement and fun. Just striving to do something and win something,” said Miller.
First-year and singer Leia Gaskin-Sadiku said she didn’t feel Guilford had a lot to offer for performers.
“I’ve been waiting to do it (perform) here . and I feel this (event) is a good thing,” Gaskin-Sadiku said.
Lake agreed: “Being able to express yourself is really what it means to live.