Community was the buzzword yesterday as Harvard's Black Students Association (BSA) hosted the first black community introductory meeting, introducing more than two dozen student organizations to first-years.

"This is the first time we've had a forum where we can bring all the black groups on campus together," said BSA President Aaliyah N. Williams '02 in her opening remarks.

"Tonight is a convenient way to introduce [first-years] to Harvard's black community," she added.

About 250 students listened as group representatives pitched their organizations. Participating groups included those promoting black community, such as the Black Men's Forum and the Caribbean Club, as well as performance groups like Expressions and Kuumba Singers.

Student organizations not directly affiliated with ethnicity, like the Living Wage Campaign and the Phillips Brooks House Association, were also given time to recruit first-years.

While all group representatives were applauded, the biggest crowd-pleaser was Undergraduate Council President Fentrice D. Driskell '01. Through cheers and long applause, Williams introduced Driskell to first-years as being possibly the council's first female, black president.

After complimenting the event's organizers, Driskell urged minority students to run for positions on the council.

"We need you to run," she said, adding that minorities are not represented proportionally on the council. "And if you don't run, at least vote."