By Tailor Miles
Women of UNCP brought students together at a campus cookout Sept. 4, an event designed to celebrate minority women and strengthen connections within the UNCP community.
For the President Women of UNCP, Chantal Fountain, the event was about more than food and music. It was about connection.
“This event really is just to bring the common together, bring young women of color together, and just to celebrate what it is to be a woman,” Fountain said.
Women of UNCP has worked to create a family-like atmosphere on campus, offering students encouragement, resources, and friendships. Fountain said the group emphasizes learning how to build positive relationships, something she believes isn’t always prioritized amongst women.
“So for them to come and learn what it takes to embrace each other, love on each other and learn, just being healthy, being our best person, that’s what women of UNCP,” she said.
This cookout brought that mission to life. Students gathered under the sun to enjoy good food, swap stories, and experience what the fountain described as the full spirit of the organization.
“I hope that people get out of this cookout with good food, but also a message, knowing that we can have events like this and it’s a good, peaceful, and fun turnout,” Fountain said.
The menu itself reflected the welcoming spirit of the event, plates refilled with hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill, served alongside potato salad, chips, and cold sodas. The variety ensured that there was something for everyone, creating a sense of abundance and generosity that aligned with the organization’s mission.
As the afternoon went on, conversations and laughter carried through the air as a simple cookout provided an opportunity for students to meet new people, build strength, and experience what the Women of UNCP represents.
UNCP senior Caitlyn Mensah, who attended the cookout, said the event’s environment set it apart from other campus events. “This is a very relaxing year, an inviting function. I’m glad I ended up checking it out!” Mensah said.
That blend of relaxation and fun captures the essence of what the women of UNCP aim to provide. The cookout wasn’t about formality or ceremony. It was about showing students that community can be built in simple, joyful ways. The laid-back setting made it easy for attendees to feel comfortable, while the purpose behind the event ensured that it carried lasting meaning.
At its core, the cookout was about reinforcing the organization’s commitment to minority women. Women of UNCP drives to help students embrace one another, practice, and grow into future leaders, while those goals often take shape through nonprofit work, fitness sessions, and wellness programs. The cookout showed how equally powerful a casual gathering can be.
The event also served as an introduction for students who may not have known much about the organization beforehand. For them, the cookout offers not just food, but a firsthand experience of the group’s mission. By the end of the afternoon, mini students with full plates make new connections in a clear sense of what the organization strives for.
The success of the event hints at possibilities for the future. Women of UNCP hopes to host more gatherings like this one, perhaps even expanding to a larger scale, partnering with minority focused organizations. The cookout proved that such events can attract strong participation, foster peace and positivity, and leave students eager for more.
The cookout was held at the pool area of the courtyard apartments, providing an open and shaded space that accommodated a large number of students comfortably. Organizers set up tables, chairs, and serving stations to allow easy access to food and drinks while maintaining an organized flow. Volunteers from the organization assisted throughout the event, helping with grilling, replenishing plates, and ensuring the area stayed clean.
Attendance was wrong with students from a variety of academic programs taking part; the event was free for participants, requiring only their presence and engagement. Fountain noted that planning included coordinating with campus facilities, securing supplies, and scheduling volunteers to ensure that the event ran smoothly.
In addition to the food and socializing, the cookout included music, creating a lively but still enjoyable atmosphere. Students were able to move freely around the poolside area, sitting in small groups or mingling in larger circles.
The cookout concluded smoothly, giving students a chance to enjoy the final moments of the event. Fountain said she hopes Women of UNCP can continue hosting similar gatherings, providing opportunities for students to connect and engage in campus life. With strong planning and active student participation, the organization showed its ability to run inclusive and organized events that support its goals on campus.