Eastern Michigan University student designs limited-edition T-shirt for Black Homecoming, part of EMU’s overall celebration

"Queen in My City" painting by Nia Crutcher
"Queen in My City" painting by Nia Crutcher

YPSILANTI — As part of Eastern Michigan University’s homecoming weekend, the community is gearing up for Black Homecoming, a cherished tradition that brings hundreds of students and alumni together. As a special keepsake, EMU Honors College senior Nia Crutcher has been commissioned to design a limited-edition Black Homecoming T-shirt. 

“Since this year marks EMU’s 175th anniversary, we wanted to make the black homecoming experience special for students and alumni,” said Kevin Williams, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programming at EMU. “The committee is intrigued by Nia’s imagery and use of vibrant colors, and we believe her T-shirt design is a great memento that celebrates such a significant year.”

Nia Crutcher (Photo by Jeff Cancelosi)

Crutcher, a fine arts major specializing in 2D Media, is no stranger to the EMU art scene. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions on campus and the local community. The T-shirt design, inspired by her 2024 oil painting “Queen in My City,” depicts a powerful image of a Black woman with a large afro covering her eyes, seated atop a building amidst a colorful cityscape.

“I chose to depict a black woman with a large afro covering her eyes,” said Crutcher. “She is sitting on top of a building surrounded by the cityscape, which is vivid in color. In many cases, black people grow up in more urbanized areas and, in turn, develop a deep pride in the cities and communities they live and come from.”

Crutcher’s design is more than just art; it’s a statement of pride and identity. “I hope everyone who views this and wears this shirt can see themselves in her position,” said Crutcher. “The title ‘Queen IN My City’ was intentional. I want this to feel personal and inspire people to remember where they come from and the pride and joy that those memories bring us.”

“The historical significance of the woman in Crutcher’s piece and the personification of her hairstyle is why we selected it for black homecoming,” said Williams. “The afro in its heyday was a significant statement for African Americans and stood for defiance, power, and pride.”

The T-shirt is available on Thursday, Oct. 17 during the Alumni Mixer and Cookout.

The cost to attend the homecoming game for alumni is a discounted rate of $10. Student organizations will receive $4 from ticket sales and the organization with the most alumni participation and ticket purchases wins a championship belt. There will be three belts awarded on homecoming weekend.

For more information on homecoming events, visit the webpage.

 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today

October 07, 2024

Written by:
Melissa Thrasher

Media Contact:
Melissa Thrasher
mthrashe@emich.edu
734-487-4401