Last Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, Bucknell’s Black Student Union successfully hosted its annual Stomp Out in the Weis Center. The event was the finale of this year’s Black Arts Fest, BSU’s annual week-long celebration of Black History Month, with this year themed “Umoja Experience: Commemorating Black Unity.” The week consisted of a variety of events: a Kick-Off Brunch, Trap & Paint in the Makerspace, Open-Mic Night at Uptown, the iconic Fashion Show, reflecting this year’s themes of unity through a celebration of fashion and culture over time, and, of course, the Stomp Out.
Stomp Out notably highlights the performances and talent of the Divine Nine, inviting several of these historic fraternities and sororities yearly to the Bucknell stage. The Divine Nine (D9) refers to nine historically African American fraternities and sororities that comprise the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), founded between 1906 and 1963 to foster brotherhood, sisterhood, academic excellence and community service.
I had the experience of attending the 2026 Stomp Out on Saturday, filled with several exciting performances and an electric energy to round out the week. Shaquetta Smith ’28, Bucknell BSU’s current Vice President, describes how Stomp Out “showcases the stepping, strolling and hopping routines of BGLO (Black Greek Letter Organization) members. It provides an opportunity for the Bucknell and Lewisburg communities to experience and celebrate the tradition, culture and artistry of step.”
This year, the competition consisted of the following Fraternities and Sororities:
The Notorious Nu Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. – Penn State University.
Eta Epsilon Nupes Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. – Rutgers University – New Brunswick
The Ravishing Rho Theta Chapter Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. – Susquehanna University
Chi Theta Chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. – University of Delaware
However, the night additionally consisted of fantastic performances from Bucknell’s own “Thee Bisonettes” and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. of SUNY New Paltz.
The 2026 Stomp Out was an excellent way to end the “Umoja Experience” Black Arts Fest. The night was an incredibly fun experience as an audience member, and truly reflected the months of effort and preparation that went into this week and each event. Between the visiting chapters and the additional performances, the energy in the Weis Center demonstrated the value of these traditions and performances, as well as the talent and unity that define the Black community at Bucknell. It was the perfect finale to an amazing week dedicated to Black history and excellence at Bucknell, leaving everyone already looking forward to what next year will bring.
