
On Saturday, AC Drip hosted their annual KiKi Ball with this year’s theme being Pink Panther. Students were encouraged to wear pink and yellow to support the event’s theme. The ball was co-sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority (AKA), la Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha sorority and Black Student Alliance.
The ball brought students, faculty and staff to the Science Atrium to experience the ballroom scene firsthand. Dior Love, Chicago senior and AC Drip president, welcomed everyone to the event with an overview of what ballroom is.
“The Ballroom scene is an LGBTQ+ culture that originated in New York City beginning in the late 1920s,” Love said. “It is known for its support, family orientation/houses and its categories.”
According to Mozart Culture, houses function as alternative families, providing guidance, support and camaraderie for their house “children.” Each house is led by an experienced member of the ballroom scene, known as “mothers” and “fathers.”
Love said she is a member of the House of Pinklady, where she “observes leaders who plan balls,” emphasizing building her peers’ confidence.
Last year, Love, along with other students, created the House of Forte, an Intentional Learning Community on campus, to “create the same environment that the ballroom scene encourages.”
Categories in Kiki Balls are specific areas created for performers to express themselves through various themes, skills, clothing and techniques. Students competed in these categories, ending each with a crowned winner.
For the ball, the House of Forte and AC Drip created ten categories for students to walk and perform in including: “face,” “runway,” “body,” “kiki labels,” “church lady realness,” “twerkathon,” “best dressed,” “cvnt vs. cvnt,” “sneaker vs. sneaker,” “new vogue,” “performance” and “dip 4 dip.”
The judging panel was composed of members of the House of Forte, and guest stars Icon God Mother Monica Juicy Couture, Mother Kira “Del Core” Bodega and Amariah Bodega. During the opening segment of the ball, a selection of judges presented songs and routines while adorned in colorful attire.

AKA President and St. Louis senior, Hollie Ballentine said she felt it was important to co-sponsor the ball because she “fully supports what AC Drip is doing on campus.”
“They are spreading the message of confidence, support and celebration,” Ballentine said. “The KiKi Ball means a chance to be your best self and showcase your talents and skills (in front) of their peers.”
Love said in an article interview during the event that her plan since becoming president has been to “host events that are inclusive for all students and cultures,” adding that this is just one of many to come.
Lizzy Kelley also contributed to reporting this story.







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