Arizona State’s Black African Coalition gives students Suns suite experience

PHOENIX – Upon exiting the escalator that leads to the third floor, the lights were dim, an open bar beckoned, the aroma of various foods filled the room, and plush seats were everywhere. When Tajilynn Karim and Karess Melanie walked into a luxury suite at Mortgage Matchup Center recently, it was a moment they and other students thought they would never get to experience.

“Usually students have to pay for an opportunity like this,” Karim said.

Their night was made possible by the Black African Coalition (BAC), a club at Arizona State University that is all about making memories, providing opportunities to students and giving back. The club recently packaged all of those goals for a group of students, who left with more than just memories of an NBA game. 

BAC bought 30 tickets for students to watch the Phoenix Suns play the Milwaukee Bucks from a luxury suite at Mortgage Matchup Center on March 21, a game in which the Bucks defeated the Suns, 108-105. Karim and Melanie, co-presidents of the organization and Arizona State seniors, said the initiative was about more than just a night out at a basketball game. 

It was about creating access for ASU students who might not otherwise have the means or connections to participate in the unique experience. 

“BAC does this every year,” Karim said. “College students don’t have access to as much resources or don’t have a stable income to be able to go to games like this, so we wanted to bring that opportunity to them.”

While BAC has hosted this event numerous times, this year’s experience was different. The organization decided to use its own money to buy tickets to the game and let students attend for free. Instead of buying standard seats in the arena, BAC invested in a luxury package from the Suns’ list of premium experiences that include several suites. The group selected the Hideaway suite, allowing the students to view the game in a luxury setting most had never experienced before.  

“When we did the tour, yeah, we could have sat in the 200 levels and still had a great experience,” Karim said. “We wanted our students to be able to do something that they may not have been able to do previously.”

Students were given early access to a private tour of the arena, giving them an opportunity for professional development. The tour was set up so students can learn what goes on behind the scenes and the logistical size of the arena. The tour was conducted by Cennedy Perkins, an inside sales consultant for Player 15 Group. This gave students an opportunity to network with her. With the suite package, students had access to unlimited food and soft drinks, premium seating and merchandise before the game, along with a great view of the court. 

During the special event, the Suns’ production team shouted out the BAC organization during halftime. 

“This event helped bring in a more diverse group of students and created opportunities for people who may not usually attend,” Melanie said. 

Jeremiah Fox was one of the fortunate ASU students who attended the Suns game that night. Fox is a fanatic when it comes to sports. This was his first time being able to experience the suite level after attending many other sporting events with family and friends. 

“When I heard about this opportunity, I was excited,” Fox said. “I love sports, and even though I’m more of a Lakers fan, I didn’t waste any time trying to get a ticket. It’s not every day you get to experience something like this, so I feel like it really matters for students…It shows that they care about students and are really involved in the community.”

This is not the first time Melanie has been in a presidential role. She formerly was president of the local chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. In addition to being  co-president of BAC, she also is director of operations at Empowered Hands, an ASU student-run club that supports people experiencing homelessness, and she is a communications intern at the Governor’s Office of African American Affairs.  

Despite being a student, Melanie’s North Star is to find a way to make the world a happier place.

“One goal I implement everywhere is finding ways that I can make the world a happier place and that is something that I implement through my leadership position and with everything I do,”  she said. 

BAC is focused on being connected to the community as it searches for new ways to give back. Melanie and Karim said BAC’s goal is to leave a positive impact on the community and students who attend ASU by providing them with events they will always remember.

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